West Region Tournament Preview (DII-A)

<em>PICTURED: [player_tooltip player_id='1196285' first='Jack' last='Turman'] (Harding Academy)</em> The 2024 TSSAA Division II-A playoffs kick off this week. Last season Sacred Heart of Jesus won the District 6 Regular Season Title and advanced to a State Quarterfinal Game, ultimately losing to Clarksville Academy and Eddie Ricks III. Here's a look at the field (District 5 + District 6), the West region. <h3>#1 Trinity Christian</h3> #4 Harding #5 Tipton Rosemark <h3>#2 ECS</h3> #3 Jackson Christian #6 Northpoint #7 Natchez Trace <h3>#1 FACS</h3> #4 Sacred Heart #5 St. George's <h3>#2 USJ</h3> #3 Lausanne #6 Fayette Academy [caption id="attachment_2104643" align="alignright" width="179"]<a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/07/IMG_2041-rotated.jpeg"><img class="wp-image-2104643 " src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/07/IMG_2041-rotated.jpeg?w=225" alt="" width="179" height="239" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id='1549097' first='Cello' last='Jackson'], [player_tooltip player_id='1549096' first='MJ' last='Hayes'][/caption]<strong>THE FAVORITE - FACS (21-3)</strong> The Crusaders completely destroyed their district, finishing 10-0.  Wholly capable of winning the State Championship, they are the deepest team in the entire state. Formerly the state's #1 player in 2026, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1549096' first='MJ' last='Hayes']</strong> is a big-moment guy. Willing to take a chance or make a play with the game on the line, Hayes is a gifted all-around talent.<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='1400891' first='Kristopher' last='Carroll']</strong> hit a game-tying three-pointer in the final 20 seconds against rival ECS and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1400889' first='Jacob' last='Walker']</strong> almost always makes solid decisions. Does not miss free throws. Does not turn the ball over. <strong>TOP CONTENDER - ECS (10-8)</strong> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1352799' first='Tyler' last='Jones']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1547250' first='Landon' last='Royston']</strong> both rank among the best juniors in Tennessee.  Tyler dominates the basketball, draws many fouls.  He is the team's spiritual leader and vocal leader. Ultra-competitive.  Royston does a few things well, including rebounding. It is not guaranteed to happen, but ECS could meet FACS in the Regional Championship. <strong>DARK HORSE - Harding Academy (14-8)</strong> Harding is not flawless, but they have some nice talent and a gritty coach. <a href="https://prephoops.com/2024/01/in-year-2-anderson-has-harding-academy-believing/">In Year 2, Anderson has Harding Academy believing</a> <strong>Sacred Heart</strong> <strong>Brady Smith</strong> (16.0 ppg) and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1347318' first='Mills' last='Terry']</strong> (14.6 ppg) are the main scorers. Mills plays powerfully as a combo forward. Brady is not just quick, he is perpetually active.  The team defends as a unit.  If the squad elects to run a trap, or extend the pressure out to or beyond the halfcourt line, then they move in concert. They are not that tall overall, so they are a little susceptible to losing rebounding battles here and there.  Though he is not a prolific scorer, <strong>Hayes Carney</strong> makes a big difference rebounding (4.7 rpg). <strong>PLAYERS TO WATCH</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='1196285' first='Jack' last='Turman'] - Harding Academy [player_tooltip player_id='1352796' first='Chazaiah' last='Curry'] - Harding Academy Owen Layne - Harding Academy [player_tooltip player_id='1549096' first='MJ' last='Hayes'] - FACS [player_tooltip player_id='1549097' first='Cello' last='Jackson'] - FACS [player_tooltip player_id='1400891' first='Kristopher' last='Carroll'] - FACS [player_tooltip player_id='1400889' first='Jacob' last='Walker'] - FACS [player_tooltip player_id='1352799' first='Tyler' last='Jones'] - ECS [player_tooltip player_id='1547250' first='Landon' last='Royston'] - ECS [player_tooltip player_id='2370920' first='Carson' last='Boyle'] - Lausanne Josh Taylor - Lausanne Jackson Jones - St. George's [player_tooltip player_id='2795855' first='Amir' last='Wilson'] - St. George's Mike Wilson - ECS [player_tooltip player_id='2363258' first='Ryan' last='Scott'] - ECS [player_tooltip player_id='1347318' first='Mills' last='Terry'] - University School Jackson Brady Smith - University School Jackson [player_tooltip player_id='1352806' first='AJ' last='Morman'] - Sacred Heart of Jesus [player_tooltip player_id='2328760' first='Sam' last='Keyl'] - University School Jackson District 5 Standings 1st Trinity Christian 2nd USJ 3rd Jackson Christian 4th Sacred Heart 5th Tipton-Rosemark 6th Fayette Academy 7th Natchez Trace District 6 Standings 1st FACS 2nd ECS 3rd Lausanne 4th Harding 5th St. George's 6th Northpoint <span style="text-decoration: underline">USJ Roster</span> #0 [player_tooltip player_id='1347318' first='Mills' last='Terry']* (2025) #3 [player_tooltip player_id='2328760' first='Sam' last='Keyl']* (2027) #4 Brady Smith* #22 Logan Foster* (2025) Tipton-Rosemark #14 #25