Memphis Hoopfest: 3 observations

Friday marked the first day of the Memphis Hoopfest, which featured talent from the state of Tennessee. Here are 3 observations: Chattanooga Prep is……….good There's a lot to like about the defending Class A state champs. In a convincing 60-40 win over Overton, the Sentinels were disruptive on the defensive end. They did a great job of communicating and limiting scoring gaps to the Wolverines. Chattanooga Prep doesn't have an issue rebounding the basketball with forwards [player_tooltip player_id='2238576' first='Derrick' last='Roberson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1959198' first='Joel' last='Bulis'] taking up space. On the offensive end, the Sentinels like to get out in transition. They're dangerous in the open court. Chattanooga Prep can generate offense in the half-court. The Sentinels have a freshman point guard in [player_tooltip player_id='2194605' first='Cadence' last='Collins'] that's only going to get better. Sophomore guard Austin Jones and junior guard Demarion Bowman are trustworthy with the basketball in their hands. Chattanooga Prep had balance in its win over Overton. Roberson finished with 12 points and 8 rebounds and named MVP. Bowman had 11. Collins pitched in 9. Bulis added 8 and Jones provided 7. The Sentinels are going to be fine. Hillsboro's scoping out the competition Last season, Independence came to Memphis to play Bartlett and Cordova, two of the best 4A teams in the 2023 season. The Burros are using the same formula in the 2024 season. Hillsboro defeated Southwind in the Iverson Classic then took down the Houston Mustangs, 67-58, Friday evening. In the win, the Burros moved the ball well, and were patient on offense. Hillsboro put its imprint on the game in the fourth quarter when senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='2042562' first='Xavier' last='Washington'] made a 3 from the right wing. Before that, senior guard Cortez Graham scored on a layup. The Burros were up 56-46 with 1:30 left in the game. Hillsboro got great looks for most of the game and made shots when it needed them. Washington scored 14 of his 19 points in the first half. Senior forward [player_tooltip player_id='1549189' first='Max' last='Burtner'] made 2 big 3s in the third quarter. He and Graham both finished with 15. The Burros should feel great about where they're in the Class 4A title bubble after wins over two programs with aspirations to be in Murfreesboro, Tennessee in March. Can Smith win Mr. Basketball? Briarcrest's [player_tooltip player_id='1760996' first='Fred' last='Smith'] could win Mr. Basketball in Division II-Class AA. He's the Saints' most important and best player. Smith has been a force since the beginning of the season. In a loss to Pace Academy (TX), he led Briarcrest with 25 points, with 16 of those coming in the first half. Smith is responsible for getting the Saints in their offense, setting good ball screens, rebounding, and scoring. Without the 6-foot-7 forward, Briarcrest isn't competitive in hardly any contest this season. With that being said, Smith will probably be a Mr. Basketball finalist by season's end.

Friday marked the first day of the Memphis Hoopfest, which featured talent from the state of Tennessee.

Here are 3 observations:

Chattanooga Prep is……….good

There's a lot to like about the defending Class A state champs. In a convincing 60-40 win over Overton, the Sentinels were disruptive on the defensive end. They did a great job of communicating and limiting scoring gaps to the Wolverines. Chattanooga Prep doesn't have an issue rebounding the basketball with forwards Derrick Roberson Derrick Roberson 6'6" | SG Chattanooga Prep | 2026 State TN and Joel Bulis Joel Bulis 6'7" | PF Chattanooga Prep | 2026 State TN taking up space. On the offensive end, the Sentinels like to get out in transition. They're dangerous in the open court. Chattanooga Prep can generate offense in the half-court. The Sentinels have a freshman point guard in Cadence Collins Cadence Collins 5'9" | CG Chattanooga Prep | 2028 State TN that's only going to get better.

Sophomore guard Austin Jones and junior guard Demarion Bowman are trustworthy with the basketball in their hands. Chattanooga Prep had balance in its win over Overton. Roberson finished with 12 points and 8 rebounds and named MVP. Bowman had 11. Collins pitched in 9. Bulis added 8 and Jones provided 7.

The Sentinels are going to be fine.

Hillsboro's scoping out the competition

Last season, Independence came to Memphis to play Bartlett and Cordova, two of the best 4A teams in the 2023 season. The Burros are using the same formula in the 2024 season. Hillsboro defeated Southwind in the Iverson Classic then took down the Houston Mustangs, 67-58, Friday evening. In the win, the Burros moved the ball well, and were patient on offense. Hillsboro put its imprint on the game in the fourth quarter when senior guard Xavier Washington Xavier Washington 6'2" | SG Hillsboro | 2025 State TN made a 3 from the right wing.

Before that, senior guard Cortez Graham scored on a layup. The Burros were up 56-46 with 1:30 left in the game. Hillsboro got great looks for most of the game and made shots when it needed them. Washington scored 14 of his 19 points in the first half. Senior forward Max Burtner Max Burtner 6'4" | PF Hillsboro | 2025 State TN made 2 big 3s in the third quarter. He and Graham both finished with 15.

The Burros should feel great about where they're in the Class 4A title bubble after wins over two programs with aspirations to be in Murfreesboro, Tennessee in March.

Can Smith win Mr. Basketball?

Briarcrest's Fred Smith Jr Fred Smith Jr 6'6" | SF Briarcrest Christian | 2026 State #95 Nation TN could win Mr. Basketball in Division II-Class AA. He's the Saints' most important and best player. Smith has been a force since the beginning of the season. In a loss to Pace Academy (TX), he led Briarcrest with 25 points, with 16 of those coming in the first half. Smith is responsible for getting the Saints in their offense, setting good ball screens, rebounding, and scoring. Without the 6-foot-7 forward, Briarcrest isn't competitive in hardly any contest this season. With that being said, Smith will probably be a Mr. Basketball finalist by season's end.