Season preview: Memphis East Mustangs

<p>Memphis East has a past of having great talent come through its boys’ varsity basketball program.</p> <p>The 2021-22 season should be another season where the Mustangs are one of the talented teams in the state.</p> <p>Here’s an observation from Wednesday’s open gym run.</p> <p><strong>Dynamic backcourt</strong></p> <p>Junior guards <strong>E</strong>.<strong>J</strong>. <strong>Smith</strong> and <strong>Jamarion</strong> <strong>Harvey</strong> will most likely start in the backcourt for Memphis East, and it’s a backcourt worth putting trust in. Smith doesn’t have the skinny frame he once had when he was a freshman at Arlington High School. Smith has added muscle, and is now 6-foot-2. He’s heading into the 2021 season hungry than ever. Smith wants to prove that he’s one of the best guards around. He’s a solid passer and has a strong mid-range game.</p> <p>Harvey and Smith are a great pairing. To compliment Smith, Harvey can handle the basketball, can make shots from the perimeter and plays physical on the defensive end. Smith can get after it as well on the defensive end. Head coach Javonte Holmes has a backcourt that’s going to be a headache on a nightly basis.</p> <p><strong>4 guard lineup</strong></p> <p>The Mustangs could use a four guard lineup a lot in 2021. Smith and Harvey are the team’s best guards. Then, there’s sophomore point guard <strong>Billy</strong> <strong>Richmond</strong>, who has high upside to be one of the best prospects in the 2024 class. Richmond is a 6-6 athletic, crafty guard with the ability to drive from both sides of the court. Senior wing <strong>Markese</strong> <strong>Washington</strong>, at 6-5, will provide spacing and can provide scoring. With Smith, Harvey, Richmond and Washington on the floor at the same time, pressing shouldn’t be an option because all four can handle the basketball. Playing zone will be scary since all four can make shots from the perimeter. Add sophomore guard <strong>Barack Beard</strong>, who’s a solid spot-up shooter, It’s going to be hard to guard this team.</p> <p><strong>Big year for [player_tooltip player_id="1211912" first="Alijah" last="Curry"]</strong></p> <p>Curry looks to be in great shape heading into his sophomore season. He’s getting up and down the floor very well, and is a force at the rim. Curry’s upper body strength and athleticism are going to be too much for a lot of opponents to deal with. Defensively, he’s mobile enough to guard on the perimeter, and he can contest shots at the rim. Offensively, Curry can put the ball on the floor and knock down shots from the perimeter. Curry can be effective in pick-and-roll situations, especially with Smith making the sharp passes he can make effortlessly.</p> <p>Curry will be playing alongside sophomore forward <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1213164" first="Khylan" last="Payne"]</strong>, who, at 6-6, can rebound and set picks for Curry when he’s looking to attack the basket.</p> <p>The 6-6 forward shouldn’t have a problem averaging a double-double in 2021. Curry has the talent to do so.</p>