Rural Spotlight: Dec. 14, 2020

<p><em>Collaborative piece by Ross Lovelace and Bryce McKinnis.</em></p> <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; background-color: #f2f0f0;"> <tbody> <tr> <td style="width: 100%;"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="937986" first="Jackson" last="Lawley"] | Tishomingo 2021 PG</strong></td> </tr> </tbody> </table> [caption id="attachment_1057270" align="alignright" width="300"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/09/Jackson-Lawley.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1057270" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/09/Jackson-Lawley-300x200.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="937986" first="Jackson" last="Lawley"] (Joshua Cleary/Prep Hoops).[/caption] <p>Lawley scored over 30 points in four consecutive contests, culminating in a 31-point night on Dec. 12 to lead Tishomingo to its first invitational-tournament championship since 1999 when the Indians bested Whitesboro to claim the Hartshorne Pick and Shovel Classic title.</p> <p>Lawley earned tournament MVP honors, as well.</p> <p>Behind his stellar play, the Indians are off to their best start in as much time, boasting a 6-0 record and possibly due for a spot in the OSSAA coach’s poll. Lawley has high expectations for Tish, including an undefeated regular season, he said.</p> <p>"I want to lead my team to the State Tournament and average 30 points-per-game," Lawley said.</p> <p>Lawley may seem ambitious now, but for a player who has led his school to its best play in two decades, there is not much left but to aim for the pinnacle.</p> <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; background-color: #f2f0f0;"> <tbody> <tr> <td style="width: 100%;"><strong>Cole Cathcart | Hooker</strong></td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <p>Cathcart has been a dominate force this season on one of the best teams in his class. Last week, he led Hooker to a tournament championship in Garber knocking off two top three teams on the way.</p> <p>Cathcart was nearly unstoppable in the semifinal round against Cashion. He was a rebounding machine and displayed a motor that never quit. In addition to his toughness and athleticism, Cathcart can really score the ball. He had what seemed like an effortless 37 points. He finishes well, powering through contact as he converted multiple and-one’s late in the game.</p> <p>Cathcart is a great player on a great team. He has a strong basketball IQ and he’s only going to get better throughout the year.</p> <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; background-color: #f2f0f0;"> <tbody> <tr> <td style="width: 100%;"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1015786" first="Cooper" last="Shirley"] Minco 2021 SG</strong></td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <p>When mentioning the top scorers in the state, Shirley has asserted him in the conversation. When comparing the top shooters in the state, it would be hard to make a case against Shirley.</p> <p>The secret has been out on Shirley for over a year now, earning many recognitions at the end of last season. This season, though, he’s upped his game to a new level. In a 100-41 win against Central High, Shirley was nearly automatic from three hitting as many as four in a row. Off the bounce or spot up, it went in.</p> <p>Shirley is also ultra athletic as he threw down monster dunks in the first half. He’s added a new bounce to his game this season and he’s going to make a college coach very happy soon.</p> <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; background-color: #f2f0f0;"> <tbody> <tr> <td style="width: 100%;"><strong>Trey Tichenor Cashion 2022</strong></td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <p>Tichenor was one of my biggest surprises from the weekend. He was absolutely on fire in the Garber tournament and single-handedly kept the Cashion Wildcats in the ballgame against Hooker.</p> <p>Tichenor has a smooth shot that looks like it’s going in every time he shoots it. He has a quick release and really put everything together this week. </p> <p>In addition to his shooting, he can also finish through contact. He had two huge and-one’s and added the free throw for both. Tichenor had two massive threes, one at the end of the half and one at the end of the game, both to keep Cashion in the game. He shot the ball well all week and is a name to watch out for the rest of the year.</p> <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; background-color: #f2f0f0;"> <tbody> <tr> <td style="width: 100%;"><strong>Adonis Holiman | McAlester 2024 SG</strong></td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <p>The younger brother of [player_tooltip player_id="955387" first="Adante" last="Holiman"], Adonis scored 20 points and added five assists and three steals in his debut game against Hugo on Dec. 1. </p> <p>He currently averages 10 points, five assists, three steals and two rebounds with only one turnover-a-game.</p> <p>The freshman has high expectations already, as even his father and McAlester coach, Will Holiman, has heralded the younger Holiman as the second-coming of Adante -- and he may even have the potential to be better before he hangs up his uniform.</p> <p>"Adnois is gonna be good, man," coach Holiman said. "He’s been guarding Te his whole life."</p> <hr /> <p>&nbsp;</p>