West Region Tournament Preview (DII-A)
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PICTURED: Jack Turman Jack Turman 5'7" | PG Harding Academy | 2024 TN (Harding Academy) 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…
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Continue ReadingPICTURED: Jack Turman Jack Turman 5'7" | PG Harding Academy | 2024 TN (Harding Academy)
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.
#1 Trinity Christian
#4 Harding
#5 Tipton Rosemark
#2 ECS
#3 Jackson Christian
#6 Northpoint
#7 Natchez Trace
#1 FACS
#4 Sacred Heart
#5 St. George’s
#2 USJ
#3 Lausanne
#6 Fayette Academy
THE FAVORITE – FACS (21-3)
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, MJ Hayes MJ Hayes 6'4" | SG FACS | 2026 State TN 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. Kristopher Carroll Kristopher Carroll 6'4" | SG FACS | 2025 State TN hit a game-tying three-pointer in the final 20 seconds against rival ECS and Jacob Walker Jacob Walker 5'10" | PG FACS | 2025 State TN almost always makes solid decisions. Does not miss free throws. Does not turn the ball over.
TOP CONTENDER – ECS (10-8)
Tyler Jones Tyler Jones 6'3" | CG Evangelical Christian (ECS) | 2025 State TN and Landon Royston Landon Royston 6'4" | PG ECS3 | 2029 TN 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.
DARK HORSE – Harding Academy (14-8)
Harding is not flawless, but they have some nice talent and a gritty coach.
In Year 2, Anderson has Harding Academy believing
Sacred Heart
Brady Smith (16.0 ppg) and Mills Terry Mills Terry 6'3" | SG USJ | 2025 State TN (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, Hayes Carney makes a big difference rebounding (4.7 rpg).
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Jack Turman
Jack
Turman
5'7" | PG
Harding Academy | 2024
TN
– Harding Academy
Chazaiah Curry
Chazaiah
Curry
6'5" | PF
Harding Academy | 2025
State
TN
– Harding Academy
Owen Layne – Harding Academy
MJ Hayes
MJ
Hayes
6'4" | SG
FACS | 2026
State
TN
– FACS
Cello Jackson
Cello
Jackson
6'4" | PG
FACS | 2026
State
TN
– FACS
Kristopher Carroll
Kristopher
Carroll
6'4" | SG
FACS | 2025
State
TN
– FACS
Jacob Walker
Jacob
Walker
5'10" | PG
FACS | 2025
State
TN
– FACS
Tyler Jones
Tyler
Jones
6'3" | CG
Evangelical Christian (ECS) | 2025
State
TN
– ECS
Landon Royston
Landon
Royston
6'4" | PG
ECS3 | 2029
TN
– ECS
Carson Boyle
Carson
Boyle
6'3" | SG
Lausanne | 2024
State
TN
– Lausanne
Josh Taylor – Lausanne
Jackson Jones – St. George’s
Amir Wilson – St. George’s
Mike Wilson – ECS
Ryan Scott
Ryan
Scott
6'3" | SG
ECS | 2025
TN
– ECS
Mills Terry
Mills
Terry
6'3" | SG
USJ | 2025
State
TN
– University School Jackson
Brady Smith – University School Jackson
AJ Morman
AJ
Morman
5'10" | PG
Sacred Heart Of Jesus | 2024
State
TN
– Sacred Heart of Jesus
Sam Keyl
Sam
Keyl
6'0" | PG
USJ | 2027
State
TN
– 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
USJ Roster
#0
Mills Terry
Mills
Terry
6'3" | SG
USJ | 2025
State
TN
* (2025)
#3
Sam Keyl
Sam
Keyl
6'0" | PG
USJ | 2027
State
TN
* (2027)
#4 Brady Smith*
#22 Logan Foster* (2025)
Tipton-Rosemark
#14
#25