The Greatness of 3A Seniors

Andrew Force March 18, 2022 @ 11:19 AM

The Greene Devils wisely attacked through the hands of Mr. Basketball Jakobi Gillespie Jakobi Gillespie 6'0" | PG Greeneville | 2022 State TN (Greeneville) Friday morning. The senior carved his way through the stout Stone Memorial defense. Though Gillespie was not perfect, and missed a sprinkling of his outside shots, he was great and that is typical for the innovative, quick-footed scorer.

As the game wore on, Gillespie caught fire, making more and more difficult shots. Gillespie wonderfully earned his way into the lane and made challenging floaters and layups look routine. He finished with 32 points on 10-20 shooting and 6-11 from three-point range!

Reid Satterfield Reid Satterfield 6'3" | CG Greeneville | 2022 State TN ’s game was quiet. He has been more dynamic in previous tournament games, this year and last.

Jakobi Gillespie is so freaking good. He has put Greeneville on his back offensively today.
— Courtney Asher Smith (@CourtneyHoops90) March 18, 2022

Dylan Whittenburg (Stone Memorial) played with excellent fight. The senior scrapped and clawed for loose balls and handled with some poise.

He caught a tricky halfcourt pass from teammate Matthew Bilbrey Matthew Bilbrey 6'0" | PG Stone Memorial | 2023 State TN with just 0:14 seconds left in the game. Whittenburg took the wide-open look with a chance to tied the tied 56-56. The shot looked pure off the release, but it swirled out and the ensuring free throws ended a frenetic, high-quality game, 59-55.

Terry Grove (Greeneville) put his quick hands on passes and rebounds. The senior forward is largely an energy guy. His value can not be overstated. Often, the team needed balance to spread the court and create inside-out. Grove made a lot of wise decisions and truly helped the Greeneville cause with mature, unselfish play.

Fulton vs. Jackson South Side

Rico Sain II Rico Sain II 6'2" | PG South Side | 2022 State TN had a typically well-rounded game, but did turn the ball over than customary.

Kobe Ward Kobe Ward 5'11" | PG Jackson South Side | 2022 State TN (South Side) just played sloppy and rushed. His game was erratic and bothersome for a key game. He did not keep his man in front of him on defense.

Desmir Hatchett (Fulton) was not that effective offensively, but he was a nuisance defensively and rebounded very well (four rebounds). Hatchett was a strong role player. Oddly, the composition of Fulton is heavy sophomores. They are an extremely talented class ( Denaj Kimber Denaj Kimber 6'3" | SG Fulton | 2024 State TN , Taj Kimber Taj Kimber 6'3" | SG Fulton | 2024 State TN , Tyler Lee Tyler Lee 6'5" | SF Fulton | 2024 State TN ), but that trio’s ability to score places Hatchett as a supportive force offensively. He was decent Friday in that role.

South Side starters:
Rico Sain
Kobe Ward
Bryson Baker
Jeremiah Smith
Christian Mitchell

Fulton starters:
Denaj Kimber
Desmir Hatchett
Marcellus Jackson
Taj Kimber
Tyler Lee
— Prep Hoops Tennessee (@PrepHoopsTN) March 18, 2022

Cameron Anderson (South Side) played remarkable in the final minute. The rugged forward finished a quick-hitting layup off a smooth pass and then seconds later swatted and whacked at a loose ball until he secured it, drawing a pivotal last-minute foul. Four blocks for the game.

Jaylan Cole played really strong, as per usual. The forward delivered a strong defensive effort. Cole, an unsung hero, scored 12 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists.

Dobyns-Bennett vs. Bartlett

Brady Stump Brady Stump 5'9" | PG Dobyns-Bennett | 2023 State TN (Dobyns-Bennett) scored seemingly impossible shots...again. Defensively, Stump struggled to keep the Bartlett backcourt out of the lane. Junior Jonavan Gillespie Jonavan Gillespie 5'9" | PG Dobyns-Bennett | 2023 State TN (DB) shot fantastically early, hitting his first four three-pointers.

Amarr Knox had the best offensive game for a losing team that I have seen all year, I believe.

Reminded me of Bolivar's Jaquan Lax last year. https://t.co/HhLksjBp84
— Prep Hoops Tennessee (@PrepHoopsTN) March 18, 2022

Amarr Knox Amarr Knox 6'3" | PG Bartlett | 2022 State #212 Nation TN hit the team’s first three-pointer mid-way through the fourth quarter. It elevated him to 26 points on the day.

Terrence Jacobs Jr. sparkled with an enormous overtime-inducing three-point shot. He made some challenging shots in the lane, and his Thursday performance absolutely warranted a game MVP. Friday, he was less spectacular, but still dynamic.