Quaylan Hampton believes in himself and Fayette Ware

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1572498' first='Quaylan' last='Hampton'] can't help but keep a smirk on his face as a member of the Fayette Ware Boys' Basketball program.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>But, it wasn't always like this. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In Hampton's first two years at Bartlett High School, he saw the Panthers win a ton of games, but he didn't contribute to the winning. Hampton cheered from the sidelines. Fast forward two seasons later, the senior point guard has led the Wildcats to back-to-back appearances in the TSSAA 3A Boys' State Tournament, thanks to a solid performance in the team's 75-60 home sectional win over Kirby Monday night.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hampton finished the contest with 15 points, 4 steals, and 4 assists. Fayette Ware put a tight grip on the contest in the third quarter. The Wildcats led by as many as 17 points. Hampton banked in a 3 from the top of the key before sophomore guard [player_tooltip player_id='2283273' first='Hunter' last='Malena'] made one from the corner. Fayette Ware's defense stifled the Cougars' offense. Kirby's best player, <strong>Corey McClain</strong>, saw a lot of attention each time he touched the basketball. When he couldn't get into a nice rhythm, the Cougars' offense became stagnant.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hampton had moments guarding McClain - who finished with 22 points - making his shots tougher than usual. Hampton can contribute on both ends of the floor. He's shown that throughout his two-year stint with the Wildcats. Hampton is a physical on-ball defender. He's pesky, something he has to be for his size. Hampton is quick enough to get into the lane on any guard that's in front of him. He knows how to finish at the rim. Hampton can make shots from the perimeter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hampton is an all-around winner, and his style of play has dictated that.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>”At halftime, my coach told me ‘Every time I get it, go downhill. They can't stay in front of you.' That's what I did, just gave me confidence to play how I play.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In two seasons as a quality starter for Fayette Ware, Hampton has led the program to two straight 3A District 14 regular season titles, two-consecutive 3A District 14 Tournament titles, back-to-back 3A Region 8 Tournament titles and back-to-back sectional victories.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 5-foot-10 floor general has a lot to smile about. For one, his high school career has been extended to, at least, the first round of the 3A Boys' State Tournament in Murfreesboro, TN, where the Wildcats will have to face two-time defending 3A state champ Fulton, a program that has eliminated Fayette Ware in the program's previous two trips up East.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Secondly, he has the support of the coaching staff and teammates to be the best version of himself. Hampton has fed off that positivity since the team's win over Olive Branch last December.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>”It was in the middle of the season against Olive Branch. The coaches just told me ‘Whenever I get it, just go downhill.' I was getting to the rack,” Hampton said. “Making the right plays, making the right reads.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hampton is an integral part of what the Wildcats like to do: be a good defensive group and get out in transition. Fayette Ware also has balance on this roster, which makes out to be a dangerous commodity heading into the tournament. Senior forward [player_tooltip player_id='1927473' first='Tarecous' last='Stevens'] was a force Monday night, leading the way with 21 points, 14 rebounds and 7 blocks. Freshman guard [player_tooltip player_id='2796643' first='Kylon' last='Terry'] finished with 18 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 steals. [player_tooltip player_id='1321569' first='Tacarien' last='Freeman'] added 10 points, 6 assists, 6 rebounds, and 3 steals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Wildcats are at their best when a stack of players are contributing. The crazy thing is that it can be anyone's night offensively. Fayette Ware isn't heavily reliant on one individual.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>”I don't see a team that can stay in a game with us when all of us are on,” Hampton said. “Each one of us can get hot at any given time.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->