District 12 opens play, Summit torches nets

Just four teams make up District 12-4A and there will be no District Tournament to decide Regional Tournament seedings, which makes the regular season more important. Can Independence assert dominance? Will Columbia Central be able to represent for their city? Page High is young but talented and Summit shoots the three as well as anybody.

Thanks to tremendous outside shooting through stretches, Summit won two mid-week games. Read more about them below.

"We are young," said Page High Head Coach Jared Street when reached by phone February 3rd. "We are a young team that depends a lot more on sophomores. Obviously, juniors, as well. We are a young team.  We are in the middle of learning through experience. Young teams can't learn certain things that happen in games until they go through that experience."

Page will not make it the State Tournament this year. but there is something bubbling with the tremendous sophomore class.

At PrrepHoops.com we are extremely high on Sochikaima Oputa Sochikaima Oputa 6'6" | PF Page | 2028 State TN , currently ranked #4 overall in the Class of 2028. Brother Somtochukwu Oputa Somtochukwu Oputa 6'6" | PF Page | 2028 State TN is also a talent with size. Add in Graham Harris Graham Harris 6'2" | PG Page | 2028 State TN and you have the kind of trio that can win a lot of games in the next two years.

"Earlier in the year we had to learn how to win close games," said Coach Street.  "Then we did.  We are starting district play tonight and we are having to learn how to re-learn and win close games.  And how to do that together. Super proud of our guys They play hard every game. They allow us to coach them.  That is not always the case for every team." 

The Patriots will deal with three rivals on either side of Williamson County's southern border. Independence is led by veteran guard Kobi Jackson Kobi Jackson 5'10" | PG Independence | 2027 State TN .

"We are learning how to close out games together. A lot of guys have great intentions, but maybe our shot selection isn't where it needs to be at that time.  This group has only played together for 19 games."

Joel Coverston Joel Coverston 6'5" | SF Summit | 2027 State TN possesses the most long-term potential on Summit thanks to his skill and size combination, but Oscar Anderson, Ford DeShazo, and Garrett Anderson Garrett Anderson 5'8" | PG Summit | 2027 State TN make a lot of winning plays too. What makes Summit good is their spacing. They pass the ball well and the spacing helps them get open looks. Yes, Summit shoots pretty well, but the reason is largely because they shoot open shots. Defensively, Summit plays zone almost exclusively. This is a wise move because they are slightly below average in lateral mobility for strong 4A teams. The back line is welcomed to jump and intercept post feeds, so it is not a laid-back zone.

Kendrick Cherry Kendrick Cherry 6'3" | SF Summit | 2028 TN , a player we have written about a couple of times, is a name to listen for. He possesses an uncommon amount of athleticism for a Summit High sophomore.

As good as Cherry is, the team is focused more on the now. And Summit could win this district. Can Independence conquer the quartet?