Top Performers (Week 6)
I took a little break over the holidays, but I’m back now to finish out the second half of the season. It’s officially “The Road to State” time for every varsity team in the state. Each game from this point…
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Continue ReadingI took a little break over the holidays, but I’m back now to finish out the second half of the season.
It’s officially “The Road to State” time for every varsity team in the state. Each game from this point on counts.
Another thing: the second half of the season is going to be fun to watch.
So, let’s get things going with the best performances from the final days of 2022.
Damarien Yates, Fayette Ware: Yates had 25 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists in a 55-42 win over Valor Christian (GA) in the 6th Annual Cleveland Holiday Tournament. Eric Jones had 12 points. Taiveon Mitchell added 10 points and three steals.
Colby Jones, Friendship Christian: Jones had 22 points in a win over Columbia Academy. Noah Major added 12.
Gavin Morgan, Columbia Academy: Morgan led his team with 13 points in a 50-39 win over Portland. Gabe Davenport had 12, and Andre McClellan added 11.
Caelum Harris, Stewarts Creek: Harris had 26 points, six rebounds, and five assists in a loss to Nolensville.
Paul Bradford, Freedom Prep: Bradford had 26 points and 16 rebounds in a win over Fayette Academy in the Vikings’ Christmas Classic.
Corbin Bowling, Fayette Ware: Bowling led the Vikings with 24 points against the Freedom Prep Eagles.
Charley Carpenter, Friendship Christian: Carpenter had 21 points in his team’s win over Portland.
Barrett Burchyett, Christian Brothers: Burchyett had 21 points and two blocks in the Purple Wave’s win over Choctawhatchee in the NW Florida Shootout championship game. Michael Pepper had 15 points and four assists. Pepper was crowned MVP. Burchyett and Keeper Jackson – who had nine points in the win – were named to the All-Tournament Team.
Cooper Haynes, Briarcrest: Haynes led the Saints with 23 points and four rebounds in a 63-50 win over Christian Brothers College (St. Louis) to win the Mater Dei Christmas Tournament and have improved to 19-0 on the season.. Jacob Gazzo had 15 points and seven rebounds. Jaye Nash had 11 points, four assists, and four rebounds. Fred Smith also had 11 points.
Alex Hyder, Cleveland: Hyder had 18 points – converted on 5 of 7 shots from 3 – in a 64-57 win over Red Bank. Gabe Leeper had 17 points, four assists, four rebounds, and three steals.
Nehemiah Bloodshaw, Tyner: Bloodshaw had 19 points in a win over Brainerd to finish third place in the Best of Preps Tournament. Rodney Henderson added 17 points. Both were named to the All-Tournament Team.
Cooper Abner, Westmoreland: Abner had 14 points, 15 rebounds, and three assists in a win over Hume-Fogg.
Ben Groth, Tennessee Heat: Groth had 37 points and 11 rebounds in a win over Valor Prep in the Zaxby’s Christmas Classic.
Tylon Chatman, Haywood: The senior point guard had a good showing at the Poplar Bluff Showdown where he averaged 15 points, four rebounds, three assists, and 2.3 steals per game.
Ayden Shaw, Jackson Christian: Shaw had 19 points in his team’s win over Liberty Creek.
Clay Payne, University School of Nashville: The 2025 prospect is having a solid season thus far. He’s currently averaging 18 points and 10 rebounds per game.
Emerson Tenner, Christian Brothers: Tenner had 29 points in a win over Southaven in the Peggy Bain Christmas Tournament.
Jeremiah Hayes, Fayette Ware: Hayes had 10 points and eight rebounds in a win over Red Bank.
Lorenzo McMillan, Davidson Academy: McMillan had 23 points, seven rebounds, three assists, and two steals in a win over Valor Prep in Goodpasture Zaxby’s Classic.
Devaki Garr, Ensworth: Garr had 27 points to help his team win the Cleveland Holiday Tournament over the Blue Raiders.
Here’s the Cleveland Holiday Tournament All-Tournament Team:
Ensworth – Devaki Garr (MVP), Nic Hyche (2024), and Ethan Utley Ethan Utley 6'5" | C Ensworth (football) | 2025 TN (2025)
Cleveland – Gabe Leeper, Alex Hyder, and Jasen Brooks (all seniors)
Fayette Ware – Damarien Yates (2023) and Jeremiah Hayes (2024)
Red Bank – Kalin Sewell (2023)
Morristown East – Kyle Cloninger (2024)
Valor Christian Academy – Kevin Anderson (2024)
Silverdale Baptist – Kennedy Okpara (2024)
North Alabama, Jacksonville State, Roane State, Walter State, Cleveland State, Tennessee Wesleyan, Bryan College, Chattanooga State, Moc Valley Prep, and Lee University were all in attendance.