AA Sectionals Players to Watch: Part I

<p>Read about the key players in each Class AA matchup from Tennessee’s eastern half.</p> <h3><b>Alcoa vs. Tyner Academy</b></h3> [caption id="attachment_1334319" align="alignright" width="300"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/11/JahvinCarter.jpeg"><img class="wp-image-1334319 size-medium" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/11/JahvinCarter-300x200.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="200" /></a> The [player_tooltip player_id="1121414" first="Jahvin" last="Carter"] Experience[/caption] <p>You already know [player_tooltip player_id="1121414" first="Jahvin" last="Carter"] is the guy for Alcoa, especially since [player_tooltip player_id="1029139" first="Tai" last="Cates"] moved over to South Doyle High School.  Jahvin is electric as a catch-and-shoot guy, but this team requires him to be much more.  Tyner Academy pressures as well as any AA team and the game will probably require Jahvin to split traps and break down defenses.  He can.</p> <p>For Tyner, [player_tooltip player_id="1259390" first="Rodney" last="Henderson"] will be critical against the feisty Alcoa guards and traps.  The lefty is merely a freshman, but his poise is uncommon.</p> <h3><b>Brainerd vs. Gatlinburg-Pittman</b></h3> <p>Picking a key player from Brainerd is challenging as they have several wonderful starters, Dennis Lewis Jr. and [player_tooltip player_id="1028858" first="Joshua" last="Hood"]. The pick here is [player_tooltip player_id="1401439" first="Donivon" last="Thomas"] though.  Donivon is a freak of a leaper.  Think Keon Johnson with bulkier upper body.  He truly gets off the floor unlike any player in the Chattanooga-area.  Donivon blocked a dude with both hands swatting down way back in December.  He hurts feelings.</p> <p>Gatlinburg-Pittman’s freshman [player_tooltip player_id="1259399" first="Ty" last="Glasper"] is a wildly skilled player.  He will be challenged in a new way against Brainerd’s athletes.  Fulton is the only previous GP opponent that comes close.</p> <h3><b>York Institute vs. Pearl-Cohn</b></h3> <p>Blaine York hit the game-winner to vault YI to home game Monday night.  The difference maker will be <strong>Nic Smith</strong>. Good size and skill. He is strong in the lane.  Pearl-Cohn just has so much team speed, that guard talent will offset, perhaps lean towards Pearl.</p> <p>For Pearl-Cohn, the player most capable of racking up buckets is Doyel Cockrill III. The dude hit 13 three-pointers mid-February.  </p> <p>https://twitter.com/bransmith40/status/1499817201850793985?s=20&amp;t=vAjrfYsucdINzMHBx2B5vg</p> <h3><b>East Nashville vs. Jackson County</b></h3> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1199591" first="Jarrod" last="Taylor"] is a Mr. Basketball Finalist.  And yet, [player_tooltip player_id="992497" first="Jaylen" last="Jones"] is the key to his team.  He is impossible to trap.  Jones’ court vision is insanely good.  By himself he can erode defensive pressure and place teammates in checkmating positions via an exceptional pass.  The state does not have many like him.</p> <p>Senior <strong>Ramon Cuevas</strong> is a talented scorer. He scored 24 of JCHS' 42 points to defeat York in the District Championship.  He will be needed against a deeply talented East Nashville team.</p>