Slightly Too Early 4A Preview (D11)

Brentwood. Franklin. A district requires no more to be noteworthy. The south suburbs routinely push towards District Championships. This year will see more of the same, although Hillsboro features a future college scorer and John Overton senior Bender plays quick and poised.

Read this detailed preview of the potent D11-4A.

Centennial High

#1 Luke Burnett* (2023)
#2 Malaki Moore (2023)
#5 JP Young (2023)
#15 Tytus Tagatauli (2024)
#20 Lincoln Aholt Lincoln Aholt 6'7" | PF Brentwood Academy | 2023 TN (2024)
Avery Pauley (2024)
#21 Kani Johnson (2025) 6’0″ football
#24 Gus McMurray (2023)
#25 Jake Newton (2023)
#30 Chase Cotta (2023)
#33 Miles Katawala (2023)
#41 Chris Hunter (2023)
#42 Alex Pierz (2023) football

The Cougars must replace Matthew Busing, Isaiah Poore, Tae Alexander, et cetera. Luke Burnett will start from season’s beginning.

Brentwood High

Kyler Green Kyler Green 6'3" | SF Brentwood (football) | 2023 State TN is kind of that classic undersized big that seems to populate every high school roster. Unlike most bigs he is relentless both rebounding and scoring quick put-backs. There is some ability to handle the ball away from the basket, but he will not be asked to do that often. Green’s role will be to pull the double team away from Daniel Cochran Daniel Cochran 6'7" | SF Brentwood | 2024 State TN . Cochran is going to break out in a monster way this winter. Look for him to finish the season as a District MVP with multiple college offers. Further, Daniel will be a Mr. Basketball candidate in another year’s time.

Nick Degnan Nick Degnan 6'2" | PG Brentwood | 2025 TN moves like a dream, with silky agility around the perimeter. He is not the scoring threat of the district’s top five players but he looks like a stat stuffer with potential to score big when he earns his way to the free throw line.

Hillsboro High

#2 F Tyren Fisher* (2025)
#3 F Trey Johnson Trey Johnson 6'1" | SG Hillsboro | 2023 State TN * (2023)
#4 G Malachi Tate (2023)
#5 G Mannie Tate (2025)
#10 G Xavier Crawley (2024)
#11 SG/SF Xavier Washington (2025)
#12 SG Cortez Graham Cortez Graham 6'4" | PG Hillsboro | 2025 State TN * (2025)
#15 G Arnez Anderson (2024)
G Drew Hull (2025)
#20 G Dee Hoskins (2024)
#21 G Alex Hoban (2024)
#23 F Alphonso Henry (2023)
#30 C Kyle Hicks (2024)
#35 F Max Burtner (2025)

Trey Johnson Trey Johnson 6'1" | SG Hillsboro | 2023 State TN averaged 14.5 ppg with 62% shooting. His 86% free throw shooting ranked among the best in the state.

Tyren Fisher averaged 7.3 ppg, making 53% of his shots.

Cortez Graham Cortez Graham 6'4" | PG Hillsboro | 2025 State TN is an immediate scoring star.

John Overton High

#2 Donovan Bender Donovan Bender 6'1" | PG John Overton | 2023 State TN * (2023)
#4 William Carter* (2024)
#5 Marquez Price (2023)
#10 Ryleigh Meanus (2025)
#11 Tyson Edwards (2023)
#22 Jadon Huston Jadon Huston 6'1" | SG John Overton | 2023 State TN * (2023)
Kyree Christian Kyree Christian 5'9" | PG Pope John Paul II | 2024 State TN * (2024)
Jordan Pica (2024)
Kaleb Hurt (2024)
Cameron Price (2025)
Zachariah Lee (2024)
Kaleb Johnson (2025)

One player the John Overton coaching staff is excited about is Kyree Christian Kyree Christian 5'9" | PG Pope John Paul II | 2024 State TN . “He is really fast with ball,” said Head Coach John Hopson in a September phone interview. “He can really pass the ball and penetrate defenses. Once we get him to guard at the level we want him to guard…once he plays with poise, which I know he can…”

“He has not really played varsity to this point.”

Donovan Bender Donovan Bender 6'1" | PG John Overton | 2023 State TN (13.5 ppg) is the premiere player for John Overton, the scoring leader and certainly the emotional backbone of the team. He looks like a candidate for District MVP, though not the favorite Daniel Cochran Daniel Cochran 6'7" | SF Brentwood | 2024 State TN is.

Asked about an advanced, young talent within the program, Coach Hopson offered wing sophomore Ryleigh Meanus.

Both Jadon Huston Jadon Huston 6'1" | SG John Overton | 2023 State TN (5.9 ppg) and William Carter (5.0 ppg) started last season. Meanus dressed varsity as a freshman, playing in six games.

Franklin High

Coach Jason Tigert quotes:

“ Jack Medalie Jack Medalie 6'6" | SG Franklin | 2023 State TN (2023) is the most notable name on our roster.”

“ Davis Long Davis Long 6'0" | PG Franklin | 2024 State TN is probably the most underrated player in the state. 4:1 a/to ratio at one point last year. He has been starting to score the basketball this summer. Used to be managing offense, defending. He has made a jump this summer, averaging 21 ppg, that is quite a jump from 10 ppg as a sophomore. High IQ. High motor. Does it all. He has been in the shadow of Reed Kemp since his freshman year. He really stepped into the role of scoring the basketball, as well.”

“ Sam Medalie Sam Medalie 6'2" | PG Franklin | 2024 State TN , younger brother of Jack. Good shooter. Good feel for the game. We look for him to make a big jump, as well. Usually I see that sophomore to junior year that has the biggest gains.”

Top underclassmen?

“ Sam Mewborn Sam Mewborn 6'1" | SG Franklin | 2025 TN . Elite shooter. He is one that is going to play at the next level. He is a rising sophomore (2025). In that class, as well, a couple of names that you would you want to know are: Cooper and Riley Jordan. Elite! defenders. Very athletic. Play extremely hard. They are elite defenders. They were even as freshmen as well. At the end of the year Cooper got in a Regional Tournament game as a freshman. They are great on-ball and great team defenders. Their offensive skills are starting to catch up.”

I think [Jack] is going to make a big-time jump. This summer he averaged a double-double, really rebounding the basketball. His defense has significantly improved. he is shooting the ball extremely well. He has really made gains on the defensive end. He could always score. But now he is really adding to that. he is a for sure double-double threat guy. – FHS Coach Tigert

District 11

Brentwood High School (Brentwood, TN)
Centennial High School (Franklin, TN)
Franklin High School (Franklin, TN)
Hillsboro High School (Nashville, TN)
John Overton High School (Nashville, TN)