Division 1 Boys’ State Tournaments: Who can improve their stock?

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The TSSAA Division 1 Boys' State Tournaments will kick off Wednesday morning. This is the time of the year where prospects can carve their own lane and become a star.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the final four days of the high school basketball season, champions will be crowned in four different classes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The question is who will step up when the bright lights come on.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here are 6 prospects who can improve their stock:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Taquez</strong> <strong>Butler</strong>, Douglass: The junior point guard played in the Class 2A state title game a season ago, losing to eventual champion Alcoa. This time around, the Red Devils are coming into the tournament undefeated (33-0), with the goal of being on the winning side. Butler will need to be the best player for Douglass in the final four days of the season. He can finish at the rim. Butler can make shots from the perimeter. He plays with high intensity on both ends of the court. Butler's time is here. The Red Devils will need him to deliver. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Ty</strong> <strong>Cobb</strong>, Upperman: The 2027 Tennessee player rankings aren't out yet, but Cobb is expected to be high up in the first installment. Cobb has his team in the quarterfinals round of the Class 3A State Tournament. The 6-foot-0 point guard can take physicality, can finish strong at the rim, and can make shots from the perimeter. Anything is possible around this time of the year. The Bees's are going to be humming, but Cobb has to plant the sting.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Tylan</strong> <strong>Lewis</strong>, Independence: Lewis has been here before. The junior point guard was a state runner-up a season ago. Like Butler, he gets another shot to redeem himself. Lewis has had a solid 2023 season, displaying his growth as a scorer and dependable No. 2 offensive weapon alongside senior point guard [player_tooltip player_id='1195250' first='<strong>Jett</strong>' last='<strong>Montgomery</strong>']. Lewis finishes well around the rim. He's a pest on the defensive end. Lewis has started to come around as a respected jump shooter. He's been grinding since last season's runner-up finish.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>KJ</strong> <strong>Neville</strong>, Bartlett: Neville has heard the noise of his offense being non-existent for the Panthers. It hasn't stopped him from playing hard and being a leader. A 4A state title, with Neville at the helm, will quiet the talk in his rearview mirror. The junior point guard's stats will not need to be eye-popping. Neville will just need to make shots when they're available, take care of the basketball, be physical on the defensive end, and be vocal. He's capable of doing so.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>BJ</strong> <strong>Carter</strong>, Ridgeway: The 6-4 guard is back in the state tournament for a second-straight season. Earlier in the season, Carter mentioned to me how bad he wants to lead the Roadrunners to a 3A state title. Well, this is the last opportunity for the senior. Carter will need to be one of Ridgeway's top scorers - alongside senior forward <strong>Emanuel</strong> <strong>Allen</strong> - and one of the Roadrunners' reliable decision makers on important possessions. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Tacarien</strong> <strong>Freeman</strong>, Fayette Ware: Freeman has been one of the Wildcats' most important leaders on the court this season. His energy and competitiveness rubs off on his teammates. The junior point guard had Fayette Ware in position a season ago to win a sectional game at Haywood. Freeman was one of the big reasons the Wildcats won big at home this season in a sectional game against Munford. Freeman tends to step up in big games and will contribute in many ways to get the job done. He looks forward to whatever challenge that's in front of him. Freeman is key to Fayette Ware's chance at a 3A state title.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->