Coach Talk: Tennessee Run Director Hunter Johnson

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I talked with [program_tooltip program_id='2354652' first='Tennessee' last='Run'] AAU Director Hunter Johnson early Tuesday morning. He coaches the 17u team and obviously recruits for all of the teams. This article is primarily a discussion of his 16u and 17u teams and their spring thus far.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>How deep into AAU are unsigned seniors allowed to play?</strong><br>What I have been told is, until they sign. I have guys that are going to prep schools. The VEA Super 12 is allowing them to play. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>What age groups do you have?</strong><br>15u, 16u, 17u. But my 15u is a mix.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>What events have you played so far?</strong><br>Week 1, we went to Cam Jackson (VEA 12). 17u, we went 4-0. 16u went 3-1. After that we went to the TN Jam down in Memphis. I believe we went 3-1 with 17u. 16u went 3-1 down there and played great. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>3-2 17u<br>2-2 16u</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>15u Played up in Sparta, TN. They lost in the Championship Game. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>What is your May schedule like?</strong><br>We are going to pick up a smaller tournament to get our confidence back a little back. In Atlanta we are going to PrepHoops (ATL) and then Rocky Top Sports World VEA Memorial Day Classic (May 25-27)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Do you have a consistent starting lineup?<br></strong>I am the 17u coach and the director. When I have everybody there, yes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>'24 <strong>Nic Hodge</strong> (WIlliam Blount)<br>'24 <strong>AJ Gray</strong> (Hardin Valley)<br>'24 <strong>Chris Bozeman</strong> (Karns)<br><strong>Jackson Young </strong>(Austin-East) -- playing for fun. <br>'25 PF Kaden Ison (Clinton)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He (AJ Gray) has a visit to Columbia State this week and may sign. <br>'24 <strong>Bennett Simerlein</strong> (CAK) He could start. <br>'25<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='2419992' first='Deonte' last='Smith']</strong> (Berean Christian)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2026's that you really like?</strong><br>The #1 guy is <strong>Antonio Hutchison</strong>, out of CAK. He is a guy who plays with a lot of energy. Really good defender. Really good. Long, athletic. He even comes up with my 17u if I don't have enough people. He will pop the top off of it. Just give him space. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rejuan Womble His weakness is being more consistent on the jumpshot. He can hit it but needs to get more consistent.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2279457' first='Justin' last='Pruitt']</strong> (Austin-East). He is probably the most sound defender in the whole organization. Sits down and defends. He makes guys work. Hard to stay in front of on the offensive end. Really good shooter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The last would be<strong> Larion Winton</strong>. Energy guy. They really feed off of him. When he is playing good they really follow. He gets to the rack and a really good creator too. He doesn't do the same move to get to the rack. He will switch it up. Whatever the defense gives</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->