Unity made Memphis Overton’s title run possible
When Jordan Frison first arrived at Memphis Overton High School at the beginning of the 2019-20 school year, he called himself “the big freshman on campus.” Frison displayed swagger early on, walking with confidence, with his head high in the clouds. He had the confidence…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingWhen Jordan Frison first arrived at Memphis Overton High School at the beginning of the 2019-20 school year, he called himself “the big freshman on campus.”
Frison displayed swagger early on, walking with confidence, with his head high in the clouds. He had the confidence that was appealing to first-year head coach Shelvie Rose, who was excited to coach the talented guard.
Frison walked into a program that had just won six games the season before. Prior to his arrival, the Wolverines went three-straight seasons without a district win. Memphis Overton was the laughing stock in the then-TSSAA 3A District 16. The Wolverines were the bottom feeders of the district, with no attention coming their way.
Fast forward to the 2022-23 TSSAA high school basketball season, Frison, Rose, the entire roster, and the assistant coaches were all smiles after the program captured its first-ever state title, with a 69-57 win inside the Murphy Center over a talented Independence team in the TSSAA Class 4A state title game.
It was the best consolation prize Frison could have asked for after having one of the best individual seasons in recent memory. Frison helped Memphis Overton win the TSSAA District 16 4A regular season title and the TSSAA Region 8 4A Championship.
Frison was also a TSSAA Class 4A Mr. Basketball finalist, losing out to Lebanon’s Jarred Hall.
But, it was all a blur once the final buzzer sounded on Saturday, as the entire Wolverines bench celebrated near mid-court, exhaling all of the excitement built up from the hard work that was put in to celebrate a chandelier moment that will be talked about for years to come.
“It’s the best consolation award,” said Frison, who averaged 27.3 points, 10.3 rebounds, and 6.3 assists during the state tournament. “I told my teammates ‘Forget Mr. Basketball. We are going to go win this state championship.’ Winning this is even better.”
Frison’s quest to the final day of the season started way before his senior season. As a freshman, Coach Rose threw his young guard in the fire early as the program went another season without a win in district play, thanks to Memphis East and Whitehaven being the juggernauts of the district.
Frison didn’t have the luxury of taking a day off in a district filled with talented guards such as Amarr Knox, Kyler Dandridge, Terrance Jacobs, Jr., Tadarius Jacobs, Jamarion Harvey, Kavion McClain, Alvin Miles, and Jesse Payne.
His junior season, first year in Class 4A, was just as tough, as he faced the likes of E.J. Smith, Christopher Brunt, Kristian Spencer, Billy Richmond III, Kody Hickerson, Harvey, and Dandridge.
Frison had to figure things out early and embrace every positive and negative outcome that came with the journey of being a champion.
“Playing in the hardest district – I think is the toughest district in Tennessee for my four years – really developed me into the player I am today,” Frison said. “Like, I had to grow up fast and learn the game fast. I was always playing the bigger, taller, stronger people.
“So, in my senior year, my body finally caught up with everyone. The game, kind of, slowed down.”
Frison ended his school basketball career as a winner. Seniors Jailen Hardaway and Xavier Alexander helped him get here. Sophomore guard Gary Greer had enough big moments to make a championship run possible. Junior guard Cordell Bailey’s defense against Hillsboro in the quarterfinals round made this possible. Senior forward Qua’Tavious Bailey made a big 3 in the first round of the regional tournament against Bartlett that gave the program belief that it could beat anyone in its way to a state title.
Rose’s patience, competitive personality, and in-game adjustments kept the crew mentally intact.
Now, The Little House on the Prairie has a banner coming, along with Frison’s jersey going up in the rafters.
The light at the end of the tunnel wasn’t quite clear when Rose and Frison first arrived, but now, it’s clear that winning comes from hard work, patience, trust, and faith.
This year’s Wolverines team had just that.