Top Guards (Battle in the Bluff)
Saturday truly was a feast of basketball in Bartlett’s beautiful McDonald’s Gym. The following games were viewed and considered for this story:
MUS (45) vs. Knoxville Catholic (48)
Overton (49) vs. Goodpasture (50)
Bluff City vs. Bull City Prep W
King Keary King Keary 6'2" | PG Goodpasture | 2025 VA – The speed and outside shooting or King was also elite for his age group, but he is starting to develop greater strength in the shoulders and chest. In a physical game against Overton, King fended off a couple of guards via the off-hand and shoulder. His court vision was great, but passing options were available longer as he kept his head facing forward longer.
Isaiah West Isaiah West 6'3" | SG Goodpasture | 2023 State #216 Nation TN – Every week we write about Isaiah West Isaiah West 6'3" | SG Goodpasture | 2023 State #216 Nation TN . He deserves the praise and acknowledgement every single time. The game was relatively low-scoring and Isaiah did not bury his outside shot enough. In the fourth quarter, Isaiah hit a lovely three-pointer coming off a designed screen. The make was critical and inspiring to the Goodpasture team. The guards of Overton, as featured back in November, are extremely athletic. Jherrone Jones is the most explosive senior guard in the state and Jordan Frison Jordan Frison 6'0" | PG Overton | 2023 State TN is jet-quick. Isaiah ran the offense exactly as Head Coach Adam Sonn directed. He made a sharp pass to a cutting Xavier Shegog Xavier Shegog 6'6" | PF Mt. Vernon | 2024 State GA from the near wing. Later, Isaiah defended the punishing Wolverine guards with toughness. Overall, Goodpasture limited Overton’s second chances with technique and also grit. West was an all-around dominating presence.
Blue Cain Blue Cain 6'4" | SG IMG Academy | 2023 State #102 Nation FL (Knoxville Catholic –
The shot was just slightly off for Blue Cain Blue Cain 6'4" | SG IMG Academy | 2023 State #102 Nation FL Saturday afternoon, but the one that mattered most fell purely through the halo. Cain won the game at the buzzer with a glorious catch-and-shoot three-pointer. Again, Cain was not flawless. He missed many of the pull-up J’s that he is known for, but they were good shots that missed short in most cases. Both Blue and teammate B.J. Edwards earned their way to the free throw line throughout. The event hosted the #1, #2, #5, #7, #10 prospects in the Class of 2023.
Yesan Warren Yesan Warren 6'1" | SG Knoxville Catholic | 2023 State TN (Knoxville Catholic) –
Every basketball fan and player in Tennessee knows B.J. and Blue well. Do you know Yesan Warren Yesan Warren 6'1" | SG Knoxville Catholic | 2023 State TN yet? You should. Warren is the toughest dude in the gym every, every single night. His lower body strength is elite. The hands and forearms are super strong, enabling him to poke the basketball free or wrap up bigs with success. Warren will never be an elite or possibly even good outside shooter. His value to this particular team is two-fold: handling pressure, creating pressure. Warren’s floor is a Division II role player. He shows flickers of DII starter, but the modern game requires almost everybody to hit a three-pointer to play. Warren does everything else and his role will depend upon the program to which he signs.