BCAT Hoopfest: Early predictions

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The BCAT Hoopfest ended on Sunday with high expectations from various programs heading into the 2026 season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Some key transfers may help with those expectations.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2026 season is 5 months away, but it's never too early to predict how certain players and teams will perform.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Alexander can be a star in Class 4A</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Junior point guard [player_tooltip player_id='2194623' first='Miles' last='Alexander'] transferred to Blackman High School after spending his first 2 seasons at Cannon County High School. Alexander is a 6-foot-0 point guard that plays with great pace. He has a great frame with the capabilities of scoring from different areas on the floor. In a 4-point loss to Briarcrest, Alexander had 29 points and 7 assists on 9 of 12 shooting. He converted on 4 of 5 shots from 3-point range. Alexander will be playing in the highest class (4A) in Tennessee this upcoming season. He's a fierce competitor and has more-than-enough talent to stand out.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Boyd fits in at Bartlett</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='2816290' first='Makel' last='Boyd'] fits in well at Bartlett. He's going to be a good addition to the Panthers, who are looking to win back-to-back Class 4A state titles. Boyd provides quality depth and much-needed experience. He played in a lot of games last season at Memphis Central. Boyd helped the Warriors get off to a 16-0 start in 2025. He's a solid ball handler. Boyd can make shots from 3-point range. So, sending double teams to [player_tooltip player_id='2194475' first='Braylon' last='Williams'], [player_tooltip player_id='2291122' first='Dylan' last='Jones'], [player_tooltip player_id='2194617' first='DJ' last='Okoth'], and [player_tooltip player_id='2979284' first='Malachi' last='Hill'] will not be the smartest thing to do. Someone will be open. If it's Boyd, he will make the opposing team pay.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Robinson's game is smooth</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Franklin's [player_tooltip player_id='2417844' first='Collin' last='Robinson'] is one of the most talented point guards in the 2027 class. He's a lefty that's a smooth operator with the basketball. In a win over Gallatin, Robinson found his teammates, got paint touches, finished at the rim through contact, and made shots from 3. He finished the contest with 26 points and 9 assists on 9 for 13 shooting. Robinson plays with great pace and takes good shots. He's efficient, which is a plus for the next level. Robinson has everything he needs to be one of the best players this upcoming season in Class 4A. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Scary team in DII-AA</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Brentwood Academy will enter the 2026 season as the scariest team in DII-AA. The Eagles returned everyone from last season's team that went 20-11. Brentwood Academy has a poised point guard in [player_tooltip player_id='2133797' first='Bryson' last='Wade'] that's good at making the right passes, controlling the pace, and playing good on-ball defense. [player_tooltip player_id='2869497' first='Lucas' last='Graves'] is a deadly knockdown shooter. [player_tooltip player_id='2194529' first='Jacob' last='Nixon'] is another capable shot maker that can take attention away from Graves. [player_tooltip player_id='2543986' first='James' last='Humphreys'] is a walking double-double. He has great touch around the rim and can space the floor. In pick-and-roll action, Humphreys can pop out and make shots from the perimeter. The Eagles should make a deep postseason run and be in position to play for a DII-AA state title. An early ending to the 2026 season would be a huge disappointment.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Favorites in Class 3A</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Upperman will enter the 2026 season as the favorite to win the Class 3A state title. The Bees won the state title two seasons ago and made it to the semifinals round this past season. Upperman added two quality players in [player_tooltip player_id='2575799' first='Walker' last='Redding'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2570869' first='Jalen' last='Denk'] to take a load off the Bees' star [player_tooltip player_id='2133810' first='Ty' last='Cobb']. Walker is a 6-5 wing that can shoot lights out. Denk is an athletic forward that can control the boards and finish around the rim. [player_tooltip player_id='2401732' first='Joseph' last='Maynard'] is a 6-5 forward that can finish at the rim through contact. These 4 players will be a handful for many teams this upcoming season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->