Region 7 Tournament Players to Watch (AA)
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Reigning D14-3A Tournament Champions Ripley (22-7) claimed another District Tournament Title Monday night, this time at the 2A level. Last year Ripley defeated a quality Haywood team to capture the District 14AAA Championship, before losing to them in the Regional…
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Continue ReadingReigning D14-3A Tournament Champions Ripley (22-7) claimed another District Tournament Title Monday night, this time at the 2A level. Last year Ripley defeated a quality Haywood team to capture the District 14AAA Championship, before losing to them in the Regional Tournament.
The opponent, Peabody Golden Tide (16-11), earned the #2 seed, but they are a distant second to Ripley in ability this year.
Austin Chastain, The Jackson Sun, ranks Ripley #5 of all west Tennessee teams behind #1 Dyer County, #2 Union City, #3 Dyersburg and #4 McKenzie. That ranking excludes all of Memphis and Memphis-suburbs. No argument on Ripley against those top 3 teams, but RHS could play with, and possibly beat McKenzie on any given night.
From District 13-2A there could be some competition for Ripley High.
#1 Scotts Hill
#4 Milan
#3 Decatur County-Riverside @ #2 Peabody
The beneficiaries of a weakened district, DCR (12-17) would be a surprise victor, if they toppled Peabody Saturday.
Jack Cupples Jack Cupples 6'2" | SG Decatur County-Riverside | 2027 State TN (2027) leads DCR in scoring at 14.9 ppg. Teammate Jagger Cupples puts up 8.5 ppg with 4.7 rpg. Jamarcus Haynes (Peabody) is the go-to scorer for Peabody.
#4 Jackson Central-Mercy @ #1 Ripley
Ja’Marion Whitelow (Ripley), the lefty, reminds of Puff Johnson (UNC-now Penn State) in that he shoots a smooth mid-range jumper without hesitation effectively. Clean hips. With Ja’Marcus Whitelow Ja’Marcus Whitelow 6'2" | PG Ripley | 2024 State TN and teammates, he crushed Peabody, 67-30, in the District Tournament Championship game. It was Ripley’s ninth victory in a row, and third over Peabody this season.
In that blowout win, Ja’Marion scored 25 points. Ja’Marcus gave 7 points. Mahki Maben put up 17 points.
A senior, Ja’Marcus is a burly point guard, in the mold of Bruce Thornton (Ohio State University sophomore). Strong. Can shoot from the outside. Handles in traffic.
Nobody’s regular season more thoroughly explored both poles, the “south pole” of perpetual losing and the “north pole” of unending victories. JCM lost their first 13 games only to win all 10 district games, a perfect 10-0 District Record! BJ Ballard BJ Ballard 6'2" | PG Jackson Central-Merry | 2025 TN (JCM) is a key player.
#3 Westview @ #2 Liberty Tech
THE FAVORITE – Ripley (22-7)
The Ripley Tigers are the easy favorite on paper. Scoring balance, rebounding prowess. Defensive commitment.
TOP CONTENDER –
None.
DARK HORSE – Jackson Central Merry (11-17)
JCM Cougars won their district. Defeating Ripley Saturday night is unlikely, but the Regional Tournament opens up to JCM if they accomplish that feat.
Head Coach Kendall Dancy took over in August 2022. Coach Dancy began his career in Haywood and coached the Tomcat program for seven seasons. His tenure included several appearances in the region and state semifinals before capturing the TSSAA Class AA championship in 2015. Stars on that Haywood team included Dedric Boyd, Kyler Douglas, and Detarion Boyd.
Last year the JCM program reached the Region 7A semifinals for the first time since 2016.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
#25 Ja’Marion Whitelow – Ripley
#1
Ja’Marcus Whitelow
Ja’Marcus
Whitelow
6'2" | PG
Ripley | 2024
State
TN
– Ripley
Kennen Robinson – Liberty Tech
Makhi Maben – Ripley
Jeremiah Greer – Liberty Tech
Kameron Myles – Jackson Central-Merry
Brennan Ballard – Jackson Central-Merry
Jamarcus Haynes – Peabody
Jack Cupples
Jack
Cupples
6'2" | SG
Decatur County-Riverside | 2027
State
TN
– Decatur County – Riverside
#15 James Harralston – Decatur County – Riverside
#1 Jagger Cupples – Decatur County – Riverside
#22 Camden Eason – Decatur County – Riverside
Tayshun Walker – Westview
Brett McGuffin – Westview
Damarion Pearson – Westview
Jashun Ward – Westview
Emmanuel Cannon – Peabody
District 13 Standings
1st Jackson Central-Merry
T2 Decatur County Riverside
T2 Scotts Hill
4th Madison Academic
5th Liberty Tech
6th Adamsville
District 14 Standings
1st Ripley
T2 Peabody
T2 Westview
4th Gibson County
5th Milan
Decaturville-Riverside Roster
#5
Jack Cupples
Jack
Cupples
6'2" | SG
Decatur County-Riverside | 2027
State
TN
#15 James Harralston
#1 Jagger Cupples
#22 Camden Eason
#23 Landon Swindle
#3 Timothy Harralston