Top Performers (Week 5)

Prospects in the state were wrapping gifts and putting them under the tree in the living room this week.

One gift said “Mr. Get It Done.” Another one said “Handy Man.” The gifts had a trail that started in the hallway. One small gift was labeled “2nd year bright spot.”

It's the season of giving.

As always, here's the best from this week:

901 Tournament of Champions

Eric Winston Eric Winston 6'0" | PG/SG Whitehaven | 2028 TN , Whitehaven: Winston had 19 points in a win over Briarcrest on Friday in the 901 Tournament of Champions at Harding Academy. The sophomore guard has been the “second year bright spot” for the revamped Tigers team. Winston seemed comfortable from the tip, got into a rhythm early, and made shots from different areas on the court. Whitehaven seems to have found its guy at point guard for the foreseeable future.

Greg Spight Greg Spight 5'10" | PG Briarcrest Christian | 2027 State TN , Briarcrest: Spight led the Saints with 18 points against Whitehaven. Spight is healthy and looks every bit of the point guard he was in the first half of last season before the foot injury. Spight's first four points came off drives into the lane. He made shots from 3 throughout the contest. Spight was solid offensively for Briarcrest. He looked comfortable, relaxed, and unbothered by the physicality of the Tigers' guards.

Cam Swearengen Cam Swearengen 6'4" | SF Knox Webb | 2026 State TN , Knoxville Webb: Despite the loss to St. Frances Academy, the 6-foot-4 shooting guard was solid on both ends of the court. He scored over small defenders in the post. Swearengen finished through contact. He was also hitting wide open teammates. Swearengen can slide to point guard and be highly effective because of his court vision and sharp ball handles. He plays with a high motor. Swearengen has intangibles that a coach can't teach.

Quick thoughts on Whitehaven

Tigers head coach Willie Kemp has a lot of new pieces on the roster. Anytime a new roster is put together, it's going to take time for those pieces to find the right footing. In its win over Briarcrest, Whitehaven was solid on both ends of the floor. The Tigers had great ball movement and made shots. Whitehaven's frontcourt - Bosah Onwuta and Aliyu Idris Aliyu Idris 6'9" | C Whitehaven | 2026 State TN - dominated the boards and contested each shot Fred Smith Jr Fred Smith Jr 6'6" | SF Briarcrest Christian | 2026 State #50 Nation TN . and Joshua Huggins Joshua Huggins 6'6" | SF Briarcrest Christian | 2028 State #38 Nation TN took. The length of Isaiah Grant Isaiah Grant 6'6" | PF Whitehaven | 2026 State TN , who had 16 points, 9 rebounds, and 4 assists, bothered them as well. They held Smith and Huggins to a combined 19 points.

Collectively, the guards were pests on the defensive end. Ja’Michael Mitchell Ja’Michael Mitchell 6'0" | PG Whitehaven | 2026 State TN and Kayin Mitchell Kayin Mitchell 6'3" | PG/CG Whitehaven | 2026 State TN had their hands up, moved their feet, and didn't pick up cheap fouls. The Tigers held one of the best shooters in the 2026 class, Parker Pounds Parker Pounds 6'5" | SG Briarcrest Christian | 2026 State TN , to a single-digit scoring outing.

Eric Winston Eric Winston 6'0" | PG/SG Whitehaven | 2028 TN seems to be the right guy at point guard after a solid scoring effort. Whitehaven can build off this quality win and put TSSAA Division I Class 4A on notice that it will be a tough out come March.

The rest of the best

Stephon Sheffa, Wooddale: Sheffas had 39 points and 9 rebounds in a win over Trezevant. John Butler finished with 12 points and 4 steals.

Amaure Manier Amaure Manier 5'10" | PG/SG Lebanon | 2027 State TN , Lebanon: Manier had 22 points and 7 assists in a win over Santa Fe in the Smokey Mountain Christmas Classic.

Braylon Williams Braylon Williams 6'0" | PG Bartlett | 2028 State TN , Bartlett: Williams had 20 points in a win over Lutheran (NY) in the City of Palms. Dylan Jones Dylan Jones 6'5" | SG Bartlett | 2027 State #39 Nation TN finished with 19. DJ Okoth DJ Okoth 6'7" | SF Bartlett | 2028 State #18 Nation TN added 14.

Thomas Oglesby Thomas Oglesby 6'2" | SF/SG Gallatin | 2028 State TN , Gallatin: Oglesby had 13 points and 8 rebounds in a win over Hunters Lane.

DJ Wilbur DJ Wilbur 5'10" | PG Red Bank | 2026 State TN , Red Bank: Wilbur had 26 points in a win over Signal Mountain. Austin Jones finished with 20 points and 9 rebounds. Marcus Jones Marcus Jones 6'1" | SG Red Bank | 2027 State TN added 13 points and 5 rebounds.

Carter Cox Carter Cox 6'5" | SG Jo Byrns | 2028 State TN , Jo Byrns: Cox had 27 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 steals in an overtime win against Springfield.

Will McCrary Will McCrary 6'5" | PF Jackson County | 2026 State TN , Jackson County: McCrary had 20 points and 8 rebounds in a win over Macon County.

Waylon Burgress, Coalfield: Burgress had 30 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 assists in a win over Oakdale. Sam Dunford finished with 11 points, 15 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals.

KJ Steveson, MSE Cordova: Steveson had 45 points, 5 steals, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists in a win over Pleasant View.

Aiden O’Leary Aiden O’Leary 5'10" | PG/SG Roane County | 2026 State TN , Kingston: O'Leary had 33 points in a win over Harriman. He also reached 1,000 points in the win. Brock Leffew finished with 22. Bless O'Leary provided 14.

Cayman Camfield Cayman Camfield 6'4" | SF Wayne County | 2026 State TN , Wayne County: Camfield had 37 points in a win over Hardin County.

Avery Coles Avery Coles 7'0" | C/PF White House-Heritage | 2026 State TN , White House-Heritage: Coles had 23 points in a win over White House. Daniel Eden finished with 17. Jeffrey Whittaker Jeffrey Whittaker 6'4" | SG White House-Heritage | 2027 State TN added 15. Deacon Thompson provided 13.

Arden Lewis Arden Lewis 5'11" | SG Rockvale | 2029 TN , Rockvale: Lewis had 19 points in a win over Green Hill. Kaleb Lewis Kaleb Lewis 6'1" | SG Rockvale | 2026 State TN finished with 16. Cason Osinloye added 11.

Waymon West Waymon West 6'4" | SG Riverdale | 2026 State TN , Riverdale: West had 18 points in a win over Lead Academy. Ryan Wilkerson finished with 16. MJ Toliver provided 13. Braylon Burns pitched in 10.

Parker Pounds Parker Pounds 6'5" | SG Briarcrest Christian | 2026 State TN , Briarcrest: Pounds had 18 points in a loss to Duncanville in the team's second game of the 901 Tournament of Champions. Joshua Huggins Joshua Huggins 6'6" | SF Briarcrest Christian | 2028 State #38 Nation TN led the Saints with 20.

Jordan Myers Jordan Myers 5'9" | PG Freedom Prep | 2026 State TN , Freedom Prep: Myers had 19 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals in a loss to Wooddale.

Thomas Snow Thomas Snow 6'3" | SF Chattanooga Central | 2027 State TN , Chattanooga Central: Snow had 17 points in a loss to Cleveland.

Jayden Jordan-James Jayden Jordan-James 6'3" | PG/CG Arlington | 2027 State TN , Arlington: James had 24 points in a win over Kirby. RJ Tate RJ Tate 6'2" | PG/SG Arlington | 2027 TN finished with 11.

Toms Birste Toms Birste 6'7" | SF Hamilton Heights Christian Academy | 2027 State TN , Hamilton Heights: Birste had 22 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists in a win over DNA Prep.

Cutter Sisk Cutter Sisk 6'8" | PF Beech | 2026 State TN , Beech: Sisk, the handyman himself, had 27 points, 4 assists, and 4 steals in a win over Smith County.

Jayden Barton Jayden Barton 6'3" | SG/PG Gatlinburg-Pittman | 2026 State TN , Gatlinburg-Pittman: Barton had 17 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 steals in a win over Hamilton (AL). Craig Huskey finished with 14 points and 9 rebounds. Roger Matute Roger Matute 5'10" | SG Gatlinburg-Pittman | 2027 State TN added 13 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals.

Walker Redding Walker Redding 6'7" | PF/SF Cookeville | 2027 State TN , Cookeville: Redding had 22 points in a win over Deshler (AL).

Jalen Denk Jalen Denk 6'4" | SF/SG Cookeville | 2027 TN , Cookeville: Denk had 21 points in a win over Seymour in the King of the Smokies Tournament.

Keyton Reno, Warren County: Reno had 25 points in a win over Pigeon Forge in the semifinals round of the King of Smokies Tournament. Deashawn Adams finished with 19 points.

Michael Fisch Michael Fisch 6'3" | SG Father Ryan | 2026 State TN , Father Ryan: Fisch had 30 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 assists in a win over White House-Heritage. JD Hauser finished with 15 points and 2 assists. Joshua Williams Joshua Williams 6'1" | PG Father Ryan | 2026 State TN provided 14 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists.

Brady Harris Brady Harris 6'4" | SG/SF Cumberland Gap | 2027 State TN , Cumberland Gap: Harris had 29 points and 7 rebounds in a loss to Providence.

Elijah Lowe Elijah Lowe 6'3" | SG/CG Fayette Ware | 2027 State TN , Fayette Ware: Lowe had 17 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists in a win over Haywood. Cash Williams Cash Williams 5'11" | PG Fayette Ware | 2028 State TN finished with 16 points, 3 assists, 2 rebounds, and a steal. JaCorey Stanley JaCorey Stanley 5'8" | PG Fayette Ware | 2026 TN provided 14 points, 3 assists, 2 rebounds, and a steal. Kylon Terry Kylon Terry 6'2" | SG Fayette Ware | 2028 State TN pitched in 11 points, 4 assists, 3 rebounds, and a steal.

Eli Williams Eli Williams 6'5" | SG Heritage | 2026 TN , Heritage: Williams, Mr. Get It Done, had 25 points in a win over Fulton. Gaven French Gaven French 6'2" | PG Heritage (baseball) | 2027 State TN finished with 12.

Connor Arrington Connor Arrington 6'2" | SG Station Camp | 2027 State TN , Station Camp: Arrington had 24 points, 3 rebounds, a steal, and an assist against Cannon County.

Israel Dillard Israel Dillard 6'4" | SF/CG Rossview | 2028 State TN , Rossview: Dillard had 16 points, 8 rebounds, and a block in a win over Enterprise in the team's first game of the Jasper City Classic.

Justin Frison Justin Frison 6'0" | PG Houston | 2027 State TN , Houston: Frison had 30 points in a win over Arlington in the 901 Tournament of Champions. Jordan Myles Jordan Myles 6'5" | SF Houston | 2027 State TN finished with 25.

Miles Alexander Miles Alexander 6'1" | PG Cannon County | 2028 State TN , Cannon County: Alexander had 32 points, 6 assists, and 3 steals in a win over Bledsoe. Lukas Phillips Lukas Phillips 6'2" | SG/PG Cannon County | 2026 State TN finished with 19 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals.

Turner Clayton Turner Clayton 6'3" | SG/CG Walker Valley | 2026 State TN , Walker Valley: Clayton had 18 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists against Hamilton Heights Christian Academy.

Conrad Jones Conrad Jones 5'11" | PG Franklin | 2026 State TN , Franklin: Jones had 20 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists in a win over Cleveland. Carson Vaughn Carson Vaughn 6'4" | SF Franklin | 2026 State TN finished with 11 points and 3 rebounds.

Kaden Matthews Kaden Matthews 6'6" | SG Smyrna | 2026 State TN , Smyrna: Matthews had 21 points in a win over Green Valley Christian. Yon Kinzer finished with 13.

Jaylen Searcy Jaylen Searcy 6'4" | SF/SG Greenhill | 2026 TN , Green Hill: Searcy had 15 points in a win over Hillsboro. Christian Bright Christian Bright 6'3" | SG/SF Green Hill | 2027 State TN finished with 13.

Collin Robinson Collin Robinson 6'1" | PG Franklin | 2027 State TN , Franklin. Robinson had 14 points, 4 assists, and 2 rebounds in a win over Stewarts Creek.

Cam Blivens Cam Blivens 6'2" | PG Lipscomb Academy | 2026 State TN , Lipscomb Academy: Blivens had 35 points in a win over Boyd Buchanan. Nash Stark Nash Stark 6'7" | SF/PF Lipscomb Academy | 2026 State TN finished with 16.

Jackson Nichols Jackson Nichols 6'2" | SG Eagleville | 2026 State TN , Eagleville: Nichols had 21 points in a win over Richland. James Bega finished with 14.

JP Strong III JP Strong III 6'0" | SG Davidson Academy | 2028 State TN , Davidson Academy: Strong had 18 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 steals in a win over Mount Juliet Christian Academy. Hunter Noel Hunter Noel 6'10" | C Davidson Academy | 2027 State TN finished with 14 points, 4 rebounds, 3 blocks, and 2 steals. Joshua Bolden Joshua Bolden 5'8" | PG Davidson Academy | 2026 State TN provided 13 points, 5 assists, 3 rebounds, and 3 steals. Brody Sanders pitched in 12 points, 5 rebounds, 5 steals, and 4 assists.

Ke'Marion Allen, Marshall County: Allen had 16 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals, and 2 blocks in a win over Spring Hill.

Justin Akengbowa Justin Akengbowa 6'7" | PF Tri Cities Christian | 2028 State TN , Tri-Cities Christian: Akengbowa had 17 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 blocks in a loss to Maryville.

Lofton Looney Lofton Looney 5'10" | PG Tri Cities Christian | 2027 State TN , Tri-Cities Christian: Looney had 22 points, 3 assists, 2 steals, and a rebound in a loss to Knoxville Catholic.

Kenton Smith Kenton Smith 6'1" | SG Huntingdon | 2027 State TN , Huntingdon: Smith had 29 points, 11 rebounds, 8 steals, and 5 assists in a win over Union City.

Braylin Davis Braylin Davis 6'2" | PG USN | 2026 State TN , University School of Nashville: Davis had 34 points, 11 rebounds, and 2 assists against Nashville Christian.

Anderson Jones Anderson Jones 6'5" | PF Mt. Juliet | 2028 State TN , Mount Juliet: Jones had 17 points, 10 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 blocks against Siegel.

Kelsey Rose Kelsey Rose 6'4" | SF Jackson Christian | 2027 TN Jr., Jackson Christian: Rose had 18 points, 10 rebounds, 2 steals, and an assist in a loss to Jackson Northside.

Top Performers (Week 5)

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Marcus Jones and the Old US 27 Hot Hands