Tennessee Jam: Saturday’s notes

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tennessee prospects were in action on Saturday in Hoopseen's Tennessee Jam event at the Memphis Sports and Events Center.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here are notes from the event:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Defense matters</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Freshman guard <strong>AJ</strong> <strong>Polk</strong> thrives on playing defense. In [program_tooltip program_id='2078772' first='Team' last='Thad']'s 15U double-digit win over the [program_tooltip program_id='2078775' first='Tennessee' last='Tigers'], Polk played solid on-ball defense and forced turnovers. He played with high energy throughout the contest. Polk picks up 94-feet and does a great job of moving his feet. The 6-foot-0 guard showed his ability to make shots from the perimeter, draining a 3 from the top of the key late in the second half. Polk is a team player, and he, for sure, does his part in helping the team compete at a high level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Not Shocking</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The [program_tooltip program_id='2361111' first='Shockers' last='2026'] team showed balance in its 72-43 win over OTP National 2026. The Shockers had eight players to score in double figures. The guards (<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1911257' first='Hudson' last='McKnight']</strong>, <strong>Jake</strong> <strong>Harney</strong>, and <strong>Jackson</strong> <strong>McCutcheon</strong>) controlled the pace of the game, moved the basketball, resulting in great looks throughout the contest. Harney recorded seven assists, while McKnight and McCutcheon both added nine points apiece.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Shockers had solid presence in the frontcourt as well. <strong>Hart</strong> <strong>Weatherford</strong>, a 6-4 small forward, finished with 21 points and nine rebounds. Weatherford finishes well around the rim and is a bruiser in the paint. <strong>David</strong> <strong>Taft</strong>, a 6-8 power forward, added 10 points and four rebounds. Taft is another prospect with great touch around the rim. <strong>Chris</strong> <strong>Johnson</strong> recorded eight points and five blocks. <strong>Lawson</strong> <strong>Gillispie</strong>, a lengthy combo guard, helped at times with the ball handling duties. He does a good job of getting into the paint and finishing. Gillispie can make shots from the perimeter. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This Shockers team is retooled, unselfish, efficient, and balanced. All traits can lead to wins.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prepared for next chapter</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Briarcrest/[program_tooltip program_id='2078772' first='Team' last='Thad'] 15U point guard <strong>Greg</strong> <strong>Spight</strong> is in a position he's always been comfortable in: being the guy at the helm. Spight is taking most of the reps at point guard this spring and summer, which will only enhance his confidence for his sophomore season with the Saints. In the win over the [program_tooltip program_id='2078775' first='Tennessee' last='Tigers'], Spight pushed the basketball in transition, found open teammates, took quality shots, and played solid on-ball defense. The rising sophomore realizes not only he has to be balanced for [program_tooltip program_id='2078772' first='Team' last='Thad'], but for Briarcrest in the 2024 season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>”I just want to show my scoring ability, on and off the ball, my ability to pass, my ability to get others open, just being a point guard and being active on defense,” Spight said. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Spight has a promising future. He's coming off a freshman season averaging 9.2 points per game, while shooting 38 percent from 3-point range. Spight helped the Saints win this past season's TSSAA Division II Class AA boys' state title over Brentwood Academy. He had 10 points and five assists in the title game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->