Tuesday Defensive Domination
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Tuesday Regional semifinals required elite performances from upperclassmen.
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Kobe Parker Kobe Parker 6'5" | SG Jefferson County | 2021 State TN (Jefferson County) was intense as always. In particular, Kobe showed some excellent help defense and toughness in the important fourth quarter.
Jamarion Anderson (Bolivar Central) ripped a ball free early in the fourth quarter. He scored easily on the runout. It was not the first of either instance. Anderson is a Class of 2023 guard prospect.
Terry Grove (Greeneville) owned the lane on both ends. Elizabethton had a nightmare trying to score and only surpassed 20 points last in the third quarter, largely because of the interior dominance of both Terry Grove and Avery Collins.
Jalen Hooks Jalen Hooks 6'4" | SF Clarksville Northeast | 2021 State TN (Northeast) swatted away and offering from elite guard J.J. Wheat J.J. Wheat 6'0" | PG Clarksville | 2022 State TN (Clarksville). Hooks is a constant figure protecting the lane and the rim.
JaSteven Walker JaSteven Walker 6'10" | PF Fayette Ware | 2022 State TN (Fayette Ware) not only scored 17 points, but he also swatted five shots!
Jack Browder (Dobyns Bennett) managed 15 points in a 20-point win. He also blocked four shots.
As a team, Dobyns-Bennett is fantastic of late. Over their last three games, DB is allowing just 39 ppg! They are winners of 16 of their last 17 contests and have allowed just 40.2 points per game over the last 5 games.
Senior guard Dillon Scruggs (Moore County) had no business checking 6-foot-5 Jensen Linton Jensen Linton 6'5" | SF Eagleville | 2021 State TN , but he took on the challenge with mental toughness. Scruggs’ teammate Colton Bateman was a frenetic, devoted perimeter defender throughout.
Cleveland Ended Grant Slatten Grant Slatten 6'5" | SG White County | 2021 State TN ’s Record-Setting Career
Despite replacing their own homegrown Mr. Basketball Jacobi Wood Jacobi Wood 6'2" | PG Cleveland | 2020 State #411 Nation TN (2020) Cleveland High further cemented their place as a state power by defeating Grant Slatten Grant Slatten 6'5" | SG White County | 2021 State TN (2021 Mr. Basketball Finalist) Tuesday night. CHS Head Coach Reggie Tucker largely credited one particular senior with the defensive success.
“Michael Dale did a phenomenal job last night on Slatten to help us get the win,” said Tucker in a conversation with PrepHoopsTN Wednesday morning. “It was definitely a big-time team effort, but his energy and toughness on the defensive end was huge.”
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