Team Preview: Whitehaven

PICTURED: (L-R) Jacob Curtis, Ottabwa Dickson Ottabwa Dickson 6'7" | PF Whitehaven | 2025 State TN Jr., Kelby Patrick

The Prep Hoops staff is taking a closer look inside 4A Tennessee high school basketball programs, as they gear up for the 2023-2024 season. Our next team feature is the Whitehaven, out of Memphis.

Head Coach: Willie Kemp (1st at Whitehaven)

Whitehaven Stats

State Championship Record: 13-10
Appearances (9): 2020, 2019, 2018, 1985, 1942, 1938, 1937, 1931, 1927
Finals Appearances/Runners-up (3): 2018, 1985, 1938
State Championships (2): 1985, 1938

Awards

MVP 1985: Ron Huery
Mr. Basketball Class AAA 1986: Ron Huery

2022-2023 Record: 17-10

#2 Cameron Brown Cameron Brown 6'5" | SG Whitehaven | 2025 State TN * (2025)
#4 Devender “Tre” Keys (2026)
#5 Jacob Curtis (2025)
#10 Brandon Chatman* (2025)
#11 Terrence Adams (2025)
#13 Dorion Bowen Dorion Bowen 6'6" | SF Evansville Bosse | 2026 State IN * (2026)
#15 Marquentin Grant
#20 I’Zahvien Perkins I’Zahvien Perkins 5'8" | PG Whitehaven | 2026 TN (2026)
#21 Hakim Logan (2026)
#22 Ottabwa Dickerson Jr.* (2025)
#30 Marrius Harris Marrius Harris 6'1" | SG Evansville Bosse | 2026 State IN (2026)

Whitehaven played a strong Cookeville team during BCAT Team Camp II. One of the best sophomores in the state, Dorion Bowen Dorion Bowen 6'6" | SF Evansville Bosse | 2026 State IN struggled to keep Joshua Heard Joshua Heard 6'5" | SG Cookeville | 2024 State TN (Mr. Basketball Candidate) out of the lane. Bowen projects as a small forward along the lines of Scottie Pippen. Great feet and good handle already. Still, he couldn’t check Heard with any effectiveness.

Facing Cookeville, I’Zahvien Perkins I’Zahvien Perkins 5'8" | PG Whitehaven | 2026 TN dropped multiple three-pointers. Marrius Harris Marrius Harris 6'1" | SG Evansville Bosse | 2026 State IN was just as consistent as a shooter too. Starting guard Kelby K.J. Patrick is now on Desoto Central (MS) instead of Whitehaven, the team he started for in June.

Cameron Brown Cameron Brown 6'5" | SG Whitehaven | 2025 State TN is very gifted and the skills are not far behind the natural athleticism. He has the shooting touch of Alijah Curry, but better hip flexibility.

16-4A Notebook: The “Big Boys” – Prep Hoops

Ottabwa Dickson Ottabwa Dickson 6'7" | PF Whitehaven | 2025 State TN Jr. showed off a terrorizing drop-step against Cookeville. His footwork on the play was elite. Defensively, he catches countless balls inches off of the rim. Austin Peay Assistant Coach Rodney Hamilton watched him in-person during the mid-June event at Centennial High School (Franklin) and the program offered him early July.