The Big Interview: Tyner Academy Head Coach E’Jay Ward
In this article:
PICTURED: Rodney Henderson Rodney Henderson 6'1" | PG Tyner Academy | 2025 State TN III. Tyner Academy is ranked #2 in Tennessee for the 2A division. Monday lunchtime Tyner Academy Head Coach E’Jay Ward talked about his team and players…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingPICTURED: Rodney Henderson Rodney Henderson 6'1" | PG Tyner Academy | 2025 State TN III.
Tyner Academy is ranked #2 in Tennessee for the 2A division. Monday lunchtime Tyner Academy Head Coach E’Jay Ward talked about his team and players at length.
@PrepHoopsTN:
Kohl Ward
Kohl
Ward
5'9" | PG
Tyner Academy | 2027
State
TN
was a player on our Watch List, but I really didn’t know anything about him until last month.
Head Coach Ward: That is my nephew.
@PrepHoopsTN: He seems very advanced at a young age.
Head Coach Ward: He is advanced. He has a high-IQ. He is what you would call a true point guard. He played with AOT 17u with Ace Bailey.
@PrepHoopsTN: How is he playing for you so far?
Head Coach Ward: He is playing real well. He sets the tone for us.
@PrepHoopsTN: When did you know that [Kohl] would be able to play varsity?
Head Coach Ward: It is a difference from 8th to 9th grade. This summer during team camp he opened my eyes.
@PrepHoopsTN: What are some skills he already has?
Head Coach Ward: Vision. IQ. Knack for finding people. He has a point guard eye. His on-ball pressure is very, very good. His vision is what sticks out a lot. We have a pretty good team and he is able to distribute the ball to multiple guys. He has been good for Rodney giving him another ball-handler.
@PrepHoopsTN: How is
Rodney Henderson
Rodney
Henderson
6'1" | PG
Tyner Academy | 2025
State
TN
III playing?
Head Coach Ward: He has been playing really, really well. You can tell he has something to prove. He is averaging about 22 ppg, 7 rpg, 5 apg. He has been carrying us this year. He is leading.
@PrepHoopsTN:
Zion Pinkerton
Zion
Pinkerton
6'3" | SG
Tyner Academy | 2026
State
TN
. Can you tell me about him?
Head Coach Ward: He is about 6’2″/6’2″ combo guard. He played with
Chattanooga Elite
15u. He has caught a lot of people’s eyes the past six games. He is a high-flyer. A defender. I think he has a lot of upside.
@PrepHoopsTN: He is tall. He is a guard?
Head Coach Ward: He is a guard. He has a lot of upside. The main thing for him is he fouling a lot. He needs to be able to stay on the floor more. He guarded
Shane Cherry
Shane
Cherry
5'9" | PG
Austin-East | 2025
State
#353
Nation
TN
at first when we played them.
@PrepHoopsTN: Shane is probably the fastest, quickest in the state.
Head Coach Ward: He is very, very fast. Super fast.
@PrepHoopsTN: Yeah. He is really good.
Head Coach Ward: We threw a lot of guys at him.
Adarius Brewster
Adarius
Brewster
6'3" | SG
Tyner Academy | 2025
State
TN
. He did a great job of guarding him. He is really fast.
@PrepHoopsTN: I knew Adarius about 1.5 ago. He was about 6’1″ then tops.
Head Coach Ward: He is about 6’3″/6’4″.
@PrepHoopsTN: What does he need to work on?
Head Coach Ward: He just needs to be a little more aggressive. He has good vision. Good size. Can score it. He is just not aggressive enough.
@PrepHoopsTN: Who are your starters?
Head Coach Ward: Kohl, Rodney,
Biship Smith
Biship
Smith
6'0" | PG
Tyner Academy | 2024
State
TN
, Zion, and we have a junior Ricky Harper.
Tyner Academy resumes play Tuesday night at Bledsoe County (PrepHoopsTN #4). A week later the Rams face host 4A Walker Valley.