3 things to look for in the Bartlett-Memphis East matchup
Two of the best teams in TSSAA Class 4A will meet in Saturday’s Memphis Hoopfest event at Arlington High School. It will be one of the most watched games in the event, and this game could also be potential sub…
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Continue ReadingTwo of the best teams in TSSAA Class 4A will meet in Saturday’s Memphis Hoopfest event at Arlington High School.
It will be one of the most watched games in the event, and this game could also be potential sub state matchup for an opportunity to go to Murfreesboro, TN.
Here are 3 things to look for in Saturday’s matchup.
Will Bartlett’s depth be productive?
The Panthers have depth, which is a luxury that a lot of teams don’t have. In Thursday’s 70-24 win over the Arlington Tigers, Bartlett had 11 players to score at least two points. The Panthers displayed great ball movement, scored in transition and took a lot of quality shots. Bartlett had two players to score in double figures – Matthew Stokes with 14 and Amarr Knox with 10. Rashad Williams and Terrance Jacobs Jr. each had eight points. Off the bench, Jack Shackelford and Christian Alston each had seven points, while Charvez Ambrose provided six points.
Shackelford, Alston and Ambrose have shown their abilities to make shots from the perimeter Junior guard Regale Moore is also capable of knocking down shots from 3-point range.
Another great asset Bartlett has is Devin Crockett. When Jacobs goes to the bench, the offense doesn’t drop off with Crockett as the team’s floor general. He’s capable of making the right reads and scoring when needed.
In Saturday’s game against the Mustangs, it’s expected for the Panthers’ starters to be productive, but if the depth gives Bartlett a boost, it could be hard for Memphis East to combat that.
“It’s been like that all year long. I have been really, really pleased with it,” Panthers head coach Dion Real said about his team’s offensive balance against Arlington. “That’s just who we are. The balance side of it, I think it’s very difficult to scout us, so as long as we can get rolling like that, that’s good.”
Can Memphis East keep Bartlett’s frontcourt off the glass?
Stokes had 11 rebounds Thursday night, while Williams had eight boards. Both post players did what they were supposed to do against a smaller Arlington team, but the Panthers will face a much bigger frontcourt on Saturday in Alijah Curry and Markese Washington. Both players are averaging 11.5 rebounds a game, so rebounding will be an important stat in this one. Curry and Washington will have to find a way to keep Stokes and Williams off the boards. So far this season, Curry and Washington have done a solid job at rebounding.
Sophomore combo guard Billy Richmond is leading the Mustangs in rebounding (12.5). He will need to contribute as well.
The importance of both backcourts
Both backcourts have been productive this season. Here’s a small sample size of what both backcourts have done in a single game. Knox and Jacobs combined for 36 points, nine rebounds, eight assists and three steals in an 89-71 win over Brandon.
In a 79-60 win over East St. Louis, Jamarion Harvey and E.J. Smith combined for 41 points.
Knox and Jacobs are capable of having a big performance. Knox is at his best when he’s driving into the lane. Jacobs can make shots from perimeter and make the right reads. Harvey and Smith have shown this season that they’re willing to carry the offensive load. Both guards can make shots from 3-point range and get into the lane. Smith has also shown his ability to be a solid facilitator. He had six assists in a win over Clinton at The Lighthouse Classic.