Class AA: Potential Mr. Basketball candidates from West Tennessee

<p><span style="font-size: 1rem; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;">I’m continuing my series on potential Mr. Basketball candidates in each league. Now, I have turned my attention to Class AA (prospects from West Tennessee).</span></p> <p>The talent level isn’t as deep in Class AA as it is in Class AAA, but there are some players worthy of attention. [player_tooltip player_id="775535" first="Johnathan" last="Lawson"], who won the award last season, is back at Wooddale.</p> <p>Who will be able to top Lawson? Is there anyone who could, at least, challenge him?</p> <p>Those are the two questions I have asked myself since last season ended.</p> <p>Lawson should be one of three finalists for the award. I also have in mind three other players who could make a run for the other two spots.</p> <p>Here are the potential Mr. Basketball candidates from West Tennessee.</p> <p><strong>Johnathan</strong> <strong>Lawson</strong>, <strong>Wooddale</strong>: It’s going to be hard for any player in the state of Tennessee to dethrone Lawson. He’s clearly my preseason pick to win the award. The 6-foot-8 guard/forward is coming off a junior season where he put up a handful of 50-point performances. In the Class AA West Regional Tournament against Bolivar Central, Lawson had 26 points, 12 rebounds and nine assists. He was putting up triple-doubles on a lot of nights, and most importantly, Lawson had the Cardinals in position to win back-to-back state titles. If Lawson is healthy, he will most likely fill up the stat sheet, again and make his way to another Mr. Basketball award.</p> <p><strong>JaSteven</strong> <strong>Walker</strong>, <strong>Fayette</strong> <strong>Ware</strong>: I have talked to Wildcats head coach Demarius Chearis, and he has said that the Wildcats’ offense will run through Walker. The 6-10 big man has spent a lot of time in the gym this summer, working on his offensive game. Walker can run the floor to be his size. He’s very athletic and can alter shots at the rim. If the offense runs through Walker, he should average a double-double and make a claim to be a finalist.</p> <p><strong>Jalen</strong> <strong>Brown</strong>, <strong>Wooddale</strong>: The 6-4 guard can score with the best of them. When Brown is locked in on the court, he’s one of the best players on the court. Brown can handle the basketball, get into the lane with ease and knock down shots from deep. He knows how to pick his spots on the court. Lawson will have the basketball 90 percent of the time. The great thing about Lawson is that he’s very unselfish. Brown hasn’t been able to have the summer he expected to have, so a solid senior season should have him in position to be finalist.</p> <p><strong>Brandon</strong> <strong>Maclin</strong>, <strong>Jackson</strong> <strong>South</strong> <strong>Side</strong>: Maclin was the driving force behind the Hawks’ undefeated regular season, and he was going to be the X-factor for the team’s state title hopes. With Maclin as South Side’s best guard in 2020, the Hawks already know what they’re getting; a hard-nosed defender on the defensive end and a bully-type slasher on the offensive end. Maclin’s only question mark is his jump shot. He has been putting up shots over the summer. Maclin needs to be consistent. Let’s hope it shows during the season.</p>