What’s to like about Fayette Ware after its win over Haywood

Courtney Smith January 25, 2025 @ 03:09 PM

Fayette Ware protected its home floor Friday night, cruising to a 72-51 victory over Haywood. The Wildcats (15-5) currently sit at 2-0 in 3A District 14. Here's what to like about Fayette Ware after its win over the Tomcats: Stevens can be a difference maker Senior forward [player_tooltip player_id='1927473' first='Tarecous' last='Stevens'] was a difference maker for the Wildcats Friday night. The 6-foot-6 forward set the tone early in the first quarter with rebounds and blocked shots. Haywood (11-10, 1-1) couldn't get an easy look at the basket with Stevens clogging up the paint. He played with high energy the entire time he was on the hardwood floor. The Tomcats didn't have anyone to match the intensity Stevens brought for Fayette Ware. The Wildcats led 48-39 at the top of the fourth quarter before Stevens scored 5 consecutive points, which included a 3-point play. He made two free throws late in the game that gave Fayette Ware a 61-48 cushion. Stevens finished the night with 19 points and 15 rebounds. Freeman can get going [player_tooltip player_id='1321569' first='Tacarien' last='Freeman'] couldn't make a jumper in the early minutes of the first quarter. His first two points came off a bounced pass from senior point guard [player_tooltip player_id='1572498' first='Quaylan' last='Hampton'], who saw Freeman creeping on the baseline as Haywood came out in a 2-3 zone. After that, Freeman kept attacking the basket. The Tomcats didn't have anyone to keep him out of the paint. That's where Freeman is the most dangerous. If the paint is open, he's driving in each time and can finish through contact. Freeman is one of the best point guards in 3A this season. He led the team with 20 points, 7 rebounds, and 7 assists. Freeman also went 4 for 4 from the free throw line. Good pace from Hampton Senior point guard [player_tooltip player_id='1572498' first='Quaylan' last='Hampton'] controlled the pace of the game, was active for the loose balls, and played with good energy. That's needed from him for the Wildcats to make a deep postseason run. Hampton didn't have the best offensive night like his teammates Freeman and Stevens did, but he scored 6 of his 8 points in the fourth quarter that helped put the game out of reach.   There's more   Fayette has quality depth at the guard spot with sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2283267' first='Elijah' last='Lowe'] and freshman [player_tooltip player_id='2796643' first='Kylon' last='Terry']. Both are good defenders and can contribute on the offensive end. Christopher Ransom is another talented freshman with crazy athleticism.

Fayette Ware protected its home floor Friday night, cruising to a 72-51 victory over Haywood.

The Wildcats (15-5) currently sit at 2-0 in 3A District 14.

Here's what to like about Fayette Ware after its win over the Tomcats:

Stevens can be a difference maker

Senior forward Tarecous Stevens Tarecous Stevens 6'6" | PF Fayette Ware | 2025 State TN was a difference maker for the Wildcats Friday night. The 6-foot-6 forward set the tone early in the first quarter with rebounds and blocked shots. Haywood (11-10, 1-1) couldn't get an easy look at the basket with Stevens clogging up the paint. He played with high energy the entire time he was on the hardwood floor. The Tomcats didn't have anyone to match the intensity Stevens brought for Fayette Ware.

The Wildcats led 48-39 at the top of the fourth quarter before Stevens scored 5 consecutive points, which included a 3-point play. He made two free throws late in the game that gave Fayette Ware a 61-48 cushion.

Stevens finished the night with 19 points and 15 rebounds.

Freeman can get going

Tacarien Freeman Tacarien Freeman 5'10" | PG Fayette Ware | 2025 State TN couldn't make a jumper in the early minutes of the first quarter. His first two points came off a bounced pass from senior point guard Quaylan Hampton Quaylan Hampton 5'8" | PG Fayette Ware | 2025 State TN , who saw Freeman creeping on the baseline as Haywood came out in a 2-3 zone.

After that, Freeman kept attacking the basket. The Tomcats didn't have anyone to keep him out of the paint. That's where Freeman is the most dangerous. If the paint is open, he's driving in each time and can finish through contact. Freeman is one of the best point guards in 3A this season. He led the team with 20 points, 7 rebounds, and 7 assists. Freeman also went 4 for 4 from the free throw line.

Good pace from Hampton

Senior point guard Quaylan Hampton Quaylan Hampton 5'8" | PG Fayette Ware | 2025 State TN controlled the pace of the game, was active for the loose balls, and played with good energy. That's needed from him for the Wildcats to make a deep postseason run. Hampton didn't have the best offensive night like his teammates Freeman and Stevens did, but he scored 6 of his 8 points in the fourth quarter that helped put the game out of reach.