Best Players Under Six Feet Tall (AAA State Tournament Edition)

<p>This spring a sprinkling of sub-6’ stars emerged during the TSSAA State Tournament.  Peruse this Class AAA Edition of Best Players Under Six Feet Tall.</p> <p><strong>PG T.J. McNeal (Collierville 2023) </strong></p> <p>McNeal drew a massively important third first half foul on [player_tooltip player_id="787649" first="Brandon" last="Miller"] in the state semifinal.  McNeal, a pesky, invested perimeter defender found himself checking the 6-foot-8 nationally-ranked wing guard Miller.  As Miller backed him down, McNeal flew backwards inspiring the whistle.  Though the foul call was questionable the persistence of McNeal defensively is elite. Collierville thrived with scrappy, strong defensive intensity and McNeal’s play embodied that identity.</p> <p><strong>PG Javon Martin (Clarksville 2021) </strong></p> <p>Senior starter Javon Martin played exceptionally against a fantastic Houston High team in Clarksville’s only State Tournament game.  Martin scored 10 points with seven rebounds.  His three three-pointers were the most for any player in the 70-58 loss.</p> <p><strong>PG Jaheim Berry (Clarksville 2022) </strong></p> <p>Berry is a bull of a defender. He can score and usually does score in double figures for Clarksville.  Berry finished his season with two points and two rebounds in 10 minutes. It was atypical of his season.</p> <p><strong>PG [player_tooltip player_id="1029863" first="Kell" last="Slater"] (Oak Ridge - 2022) @KellSlater4</strong></p> <p>In his first State Tournament game, [player_tooltip player_id="1029863" first="Kell" last="Slater"] scored eight points on 4-11 shooting.  His four rebounds and three assists certainly helped Oak Ridge pummel a strong Siegel High team, 68-57.  Slater ran with Team Passion Elite 16u in the truncated summer of 2020. Slater and Oak Ridge had no shot against Houston High.  Still, Slater was able to dive into the lane a little bit.  He is a sturdy player with the toughness of a football player.</p> <p><strong>PG [player_tooltip player_id="1121284" first="Jordan" last="Coleman"] (Collierville 2021) </strong></p> <p>Gritty. Tough.  Passionate. Coleman played so tough in the final moments against Cane Ridge as his team struggled to score.</p> <div>"His energy off the bench is always huge for us," said Collierville Head Coach Scott Robinson after losing to Cane Ridge.  "He hit a big 3.  We took that lead after they went ahead.  We just needed to get a stop. We got to stop [them].  On that next possession he made a great block.  His energy is infectious.  That is the thing.  Everybody on our team...everybody on our team is a little different. Nobody had the same skill set."</div> <div> </div> <div><strong>Izaiha Bredwood (Bearden)</strong></div> <div> </div> <div> </div> <p><strong>PG [player_tooltip player_id="537313" first="Chris" last="Hillsman"] (Cane Ridge) </strong></p> <p>Hillsman is an ultra-quick point guard with clearly defined skills and intangibles along with clear limitations on the floor.  Chris can get to any point on the floor that he wants to.  He is smart and crafty beyond just being very fast and explosive. That change of direction is elite. Hillsman is not the outside shooter than he needs to be.  His ability to shoot is decent and yet not elite, which the shorter guards need to round-out their games.  Think Earl Boykins.  </p> <p>"He is just tough," said Cane Ridge Head Coach Marlin Simms.  "Just a tough kid.  You have to have some toughness."</p> <p>Undeniable in the basketball game and style of Hillsman is his height.</p> <p>"No matter what package it came in," said Coach Simms.  "Be blessed with God gave you not what God didn’t give you.  He is able to turn around, his relationship with Coach Kinz has helped him learn how to be a point guard."</p> <p>"Coach Kinz" is Cane Ridge Assistant Coach Marcus Kinzer.   </p> <p>Teammates love playing with Chris, largely because he inspires them. </p> <p>"[player_tooltip player_id="537313" first="Chris" last="Hillsman"] definitely brings the energy I like and need," said teammate [player_tooltip player_id="787649" first="Brandon" last="Miller"]. :He brings the energy 94’.  With that intensity he brings the whole team together."</p> <p><em>Follow <a href="https://twitter.com/PrepHoopsTN">PrepHoopsTN</a>.</em></p>