The Titans of 4A, Semifinal Player Evaluations

3/20/26: Davis' three-pointer early in the third quarter elevated the Mustangs to 34-21. District MVP Zach Davis Zach Davis 6'1" | PG Walker Valley | 2027 State TN dealt with foul trouble from early in the second quarter, but Head Coach Will Campbell played him through it. Davis is the one guy who could match the exceptional size and athleticism of Whitehaven. "They play so well together because they love each other," said Coach Campbell on the Davis brothers. "Their older brother played for me and graduated in 2020. I started coaching him in fifth grade. Zach was four at that point. So, this family has been in my life for 13-14 years at this point." It has been a joy to watch them develop as players but moreso as young men. High character guys. I am proud to say that I coach them. For sure."

3/20/26: Uneven start. Through the game's first 16 minutes Aliyu scored 7 points with 7 rebounds. He took a three-pointer for no real reason. He nearly dribbled into a charge. The talent is tremendous, but Aliyu does not always make the mature basketball move. Surprisingly adept as a dribbler. Might mature into a wing. He moves his legs quite well for his height. "Idris had 15 rebounds and 14 points," said Whitehaven Head Coach Willie Kemp. "It is really hard to say," said Aliyu. "This is my last year. A whole bunch of seniors. This moment. I can't ever forget it in my life. It is something that we can't ever get it back. I am thankful for this school. This environment. I am thankful for my coaches." Aliyu is a deep guy. He really sees things in a big picture.

3/20/26: Gavin is a good player, but Whitehaven doesn't quite know how to use him. The guards take all of the shots and Gavin gets very, very few post touches. So, is he just a grunt? Clearly, he wants to be a faceup forward. The role is a bit ill-defined.

3/20/26: A deadly left-handed combo guard, Ja’Michael Mitchell Ja’Michael Mitchell 6'0" | PG Whitehaven | 2026 State TN did not get enough touches. For a team that struggled mightily to score a sure-handed, dynamic guard making choices at pace is ideal. And yet too often the ball ended in the hands of poor decision-makers and spotty shooters. Mitchell will play in college somewhere next fall. Tremendous on-ball defense against Walker Valley star Zach Davis Zach Davis 6'1" | PG Walker Valley | 2027 State TN in the third quarter. He also had a trapper helping him, which make the task slightly more manageable.

3/20/26: More guard than big, Isaac really impacted the game in a positive way through a couple of moments. He opened the second half scoring for Walker Valley with a challenged jumper. Shortly thereafter Isaac skyed for a defensive rebound. In the second half Sausville gave way to their star Zach Davis Zach Davis 6'1" | PG Walker Valley | 2027 State TN . Sausville did not attempt a shot after the first 25 seconds of the third quarter.

3/20/26: Not a flawless performance but shooting that saved Whitehaven's hopes when they had none. Grant was an adventure with the basketball. His handles are a problem. He has some talent and some skill, but he is a bit unsteady. When Grant hit a three-pointer with 2:25 left in the game his Tigers still believed. "It gave us momentum to keep doing it," said Isaiah Grant Isaiah Grant 6'6" | SF/PF Whitehaven | 2026 State TN . They were down just seven at that point. He hit ANOTHER one seconds later.

3/20/26: What a player. Ashton handles the moment like a veteran. Despite Whitehaven's relentless pressure and traps Ashton managed with composure. The Whitehaven pressure started to rattle the Mustangs in the fourth quarter though. "I wanted to be the one that came out with some energy," said Ashton Davis Ashton Davis 5'8" | PG Walker Valley | 2026 State TN . It is like AAU basketball. They definitely don't make it easy at all. If they are duobling someone is going to be open. If they are applying pressure blow by and get some contact."

3/20/26: Turner lacked some efficiency against Whitehaven. He did figure it out late though. Despite missing 75% of his first half attempts (2-8 FG), Turner scored seven in the second half, missing nothing.

3/20/26: Amaury's contributions have been curious all season. Some games he scores 10-12. Other games he takes just one or two shots. St. Ann truly came to play Friday, scoring four points early in the second quarter to help his Panthers claw back into the game. As a crashing forward he was a challenge around the rim.

3/20/26: Dylan does not always get the respect he deserves around the state, but he gets it here. Dylan should have been a Mr. Basketball Finalist. He is that good. Jones hit a big three-pointer midway through the second quarter when the Panthers were searching for offense. Dylan scored his 10th point late in the half on and and-1 in traffic. When he uses his physicality there are few better scorers in Tennessee. Dylan's shot selection is not always the best, but his shot-making rivals anyone statewide. There really are very few ways to even stop him at the high school level. "This season has really been a long season," said Dylan Jones Dylan Jones 6'5" | SG Bartlett | 2027 State #48 Nation TN . "I try to keep my guys happy. As long as I have breath in my lungs, I will be happy. I try to share my positive energy through the team."

3/20/26: Abnormally poised and always confident, Braylon Williams Braylon Williams 6'0" | PG Bartlett | 2028 State TN buried a three-pointer to beat the halftime horn. Saddled with three fouls Braylon still scored seven points in the opening half. Braylon torched Bearden in the third quarter all while opening up a ten-point lead. His basketball maturity is insanely high. The floater is gorgeous. "If they are good, they are good.," said Bartlett Head Coach Real. That is the easy answer for that. They show up. They go through it. DJ, Braylon. Dylan."