Meet the Tennessee Panthers 16u Men

PICTURED: [program_tooltip program_id='2078774' first='Tennessee' last='Panthers'] 16u     Since 2008, Jay McInnis has been collecting teen hoopers and working to turn them into college-bound basketball men. So far his [program_tooltip program_id='2078774' first='Tennessee' last='Panthers'] AAU program delivered 100 players to college basketball. He sent seven onward to professional contracts.     "Instilling Success Today for a Successful Tomorrow"     That is the Tennessee Panther motto.     Today we look closely at the game's of a few Tennessee Panther 16u dudes.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='3344073' first='Cooper' last='McElroy'] / Cascade / [program_tooltip program_id='2078774' first='Tennessee' last='Panthers'] 16u</h2>     "Cooper can stretch the floor with the "3"," said Coach McInnis May 23rd when reached by phone. "We have been working with him about getting downhill. Earlier today he chest-to-chest dunked on a kid. We are trying to add to his game. Adding downhill to it will make him a lot [more attractive to recruiters].   When asked what the ceiling of Cooper is, Coach McInnis stated, "If he can add some weight and maybe grow just a tad bit I could see him at a low level D1-high level D2."     In the spring Cooper also worked with a professional trainer Mason McKnatt. McKatt weighed in on McElroy's game. "He's got a good shot to be really good," said McKnatt. About 6-foot-5, shoots it really good. Decently athletic. Able to put the ball on the floor and go dunk it. Solid footwork. I'd say he probably projects to be a Division III - NAIA level player."       <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='2888426' first='Harry' last='Sooch'] / Battle Ground Academy / 2028</h2>  "[player_tooltip player_id='2888426' first='Harry' last='Sooch'] (Battle Ground Academy) shoots the ball," shared Coach McInnis. "Man, he can shoot the cover off of the ball. He went 4-for-4 in the first game today. He is a sparkplug with the shot." Harry benefitted from the extreme success of Battle Ground Academy's 2025-2026 playoff penetration. Though he did not play in the postseason success breeds success and he no doubt imbibed some of that magical elixir. He now stands 6-foot-1. The junior will have to claw for his minutes with the Wildcats next fall.</h4>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">AJ Cooper / Hillsboro / 2029</h2>     Though he sustained a nasty neck injury Saturday, AJ Cooper will be back and playing eventually. Coach McInnis, while sitting with Cooper in the hospital, gave an evaluation. "He plays hard from the tip. Gets downhill with the best of them. Hits the open "3". He is 6-foot-1."   One note is that AJ Cooper is a Class of 2029 guy. He is playing up with the 16u team.   "Between him and the Kyson he controls the game. [Kyson] doesn't get sped up. Plays at his pace. Does the right thing. Makes his shots."     <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='2621203' first='Caleb' last='Dixon'] / East Nashville / 2028</h2>     Late April [player_tooltip player_id='2621203' first='Caleb' last='Dixon'] found himself playing a more subservient role and yet still felt good about his performance. "[That] weekend I went 3-1 with my team!," shared [player_tooltip player_id='2621203' first='Caleb' last='Dixon']. "[That] was a pretty low scoring tourney for me overall this weekend, so I had to adapt to a new role so I could help my team win by any means."   Dixon took care of the basketball and incorporated some speed into the game. Dixon consistently displayed an ability to finish with either his left or his right hand on the break. His offensive mind worked best in transition, which is what AAU basketball tends to be. For the Eagles of East, Caleb's dribbling and passing must become sharper in the halfcourt where he can really create problems with his quickness and handles. Dixon can contribute as a varsity player in 2026-2027 within the powerful program.

PICTURED: Tennessee Panthers 16u