BCAT Weekend: Final Thoughts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The dust has settled after an eventful weekend at the BCAT Boys Hoopfest in Franklin, Tennessee.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Not only was there enough talent in the event for college coaches to evaluate, there were teams there that will have successful 2025 seasons if everything goes to plan.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here are my final thoughts on the weekend:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Pencil in Knoxville Webb</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Spartans will be playing for another TSSAA Division II-AA Boys‘ state title. Head coach Ricky Norris just had to replace Jaylen Pompey at the point guard spot. He did with Maryville transfer [player_tooltip player_id='2345574' first='Brayden' last='Hazelbaker']. He has good size and will provide a spark offensively. But, under Norris, Hazelbaker will need to be a really good on-ball defender. That's part of the staple Norris has built at Knoxville Webb. Key returnees [player_tooltip player_id='1277259' first='Cam' last='Swearengen'], [player_tooltip player_id='1642603' first='Owen' last='Lentz'], and [player_tooltip player_id='2166129' first='Alexander' last='Leeth'] are champions. The ball movement was great as usual on Saturday. All three guys contributed on both ends of the floor. The Spartans are in good hands.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Beware of Fayette Ware</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Wildcats lost a good senior class last season, led by Tarecous Stevens, Tacarien Freeman, and Quaylan Hampton, but rising sophomores [player_tooltip player_id='2805504' first='Cash' last='Williams'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2796643' first='Kylon' last='Terry'] and rising junior [player_tooltip player_id='2283267' first='Elijah' last='Lowe'] are ready to lead the Wildcats. All three prospects got a taste of what it's like to play in the TSSAA Division 1 Class 3A Boys' State Tournament last season. They're hungry to get back there. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>At the two-day event, Terry averaged 17.7 points and 8 rebounds. Lowe averaged 13 points and 7 rebounds, while Williams averaged 12 points 3 3-pointers as Fayette Ware went 4-0. Rising senior [player_tooltip player_id='2886161' first='JaCorey' last='Stanley'] will help as well, as he averaged 6 assists and 2.3 steals in the four games.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Beech has more than Sisk</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2439013' first='Cutter' last='Sisk'] is a beast. There's no question about it. He's going to be one of the best players in Class 4A in 2025. But rising junior [player_tooltip player_id='2684683' first='Samuel' last='Plourde'] will help this team win games in 2025. At 6-foot-5, Plourde can space the floor with his shooting. He's active on the defensive end. Plourde is active on the glass. [player_tooltip player_id='2869668' first='Cole' last='Winters'] is another prospect who will provide offense, high energy, and good effort on the hardwood floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Hudson has a chance</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cordova's [player_tooltip player_id='2736538' first='Cannon' last='Hudson'] has a chance to be a solid player. He showed glimpses of that in a loss to Heritage. Offensively, he displayed his ability to make shots from the perimeter. At times, he was aggressive in taking his man off the dribble. Hudson just needs to put it all together. Under head coach Terrance Scales, he will be given many opportunities. Small guards have had success under Scales. Just ask Tyler Harris, KJ Tenner, and Justin Borders. Heading into his sophomore season, Hudson's game needs to take a turn for the better.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->