Tennessee’s Late Season Risers
In this recap, we are focusing on “Late season risers”. In Tennessee, especially in middle Tennessee, basketball has become the new go to sport, and as the city of Nashville and its surrounding suburbs grow, there’s a whole lot of talent to come with. Outside of Tennessee’s two McDonald’s All-Americans, referring to Brentwood Academy’s, Darius Garland and Memphis East Alex Lomax, there were several late season risers to keep your eyes on. These guys have come on stronger and many have helped put their teams in position to make a deep run in the 2018 State High School basketball playoffs…
Late season risers:
Timothy Goodrich, Jr., is a tough nosed 5’9 PG, Class 2018 from Oakland High School, who is also a dynamic floor general. He averaged 14 ppg., 5 Rbs., 10 Asst., 2.5 Steals, and 2 TO’s, per game. Goodrich, Jr., says that his favorite NBA player is Damon Lillard, and he plays with the same energy, passion, and fire. Goodrich, Jr. demands the ball and commands respect on the floor. Opposing coaches talk about his quickness and his ability to get to the goal in traffic amongst the giants. His best game this season was a win against Brentwood Academy during the Christmas break where he poured in 27 Points, 8 Assts., 3 Steals, 4 Rbs., and 2 T.O’s. When asked what he felt was the best part of his game, Goodrich, Jr. replied, “I have a really quick first step”. I practice getting by defenders all the time and shooting off the bounce. Goodrich, Jr. compares his first step and crossover move to that of an old school Tim Hardaway. Says Goodrich, Jr., when I’m on my game, I’m hard to stop, and when I’m playing downhill, and my teammates are running with me, we are virtually unbeatable. Goodrich, Jr. has several schools interested in his services and would like to study criminal justice. He listens to Eric Thomas and Inky Johnson, two motivational speakers, before each game to get himself mentally prepared for battle. Coaches, this kid should be on your radar
Keishawn Davidson, 6’2, SG, Oakland HS, Class 2018, the Spot up shooter with range can really fill it up. The MTSU commit is a perfect partner in the Batman and Robin duo with Timmie Goodrich, Jr. Davidson has great size at 6’2, which gives him the ability to shoot over smaller defenders. He can also play lock down defense and the best part of his game is when he’s running in transition. When Goodrich, Jr. isn’t in the game, Davidson can also run the point as well. MTSU and Coach Kermit Davis will get a lot of miles out of Davidson. He’s reliable and logs a lot of minutes. If he can put on muscle quickly, this kid is a game changer.
Jack Sisson, 6’2, SG, Class 2019, Independence High School, Springhill, TN, Session is a multi-talented kid who has the ability to run the point, spot up as a shooting guard, and move to the wing and play as a slasher. He’s currently averaging 12 ppg., 5 Rbs, 3 Assts., and 2 steals per game. His teammates love to play with him and when he’s on the floor; Session’s is the type of kid that simply makes things happen. He had his best game of the season for Independence High School vs. East High School where he put up 22 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists, and 1 steal. He loves watching the NBA and Giannis Antetokounmpo with the Milwaukee Bucks is his favorite player. The best part about Sessions game is his ability to handle the ball very well in the open court and attack defenses as they are getting back. He can take you off the bounce, or he can pull up in transition while going to the basket. Many times, resulting in a basket or assists to a teammate. Session’s is a very skilled player and has one more year to continue his development. Currently, Prephoops/Tennessee has him as a D3/NAIA type of player, but with another fantastic year under his belt, that status could change.
Cory Palmer, DCACory Palmer, 6’0, PG, Class 2018, Donaldson Christian Academy. This kid is the quiet storm and strictly phenomenal. Palmer is one of my best late season risers in this class of 2018 from the Middle Tennessee area. He averages 20 ppg., 4 Rbs., 7 Assts., 2 Steals per game. He’s a point guard who’s tough with the ball in his hands and doesn’t turn it over a high rate. He commands attention and is the ultimate floor general. Although DCA is a small high school in the Nashville area, Palmer has showcased his skills versus many top ranked Tennessee schools throughout the State. He went toe to toe versus The Webb School, out of Knoxville, TN and Keon Johnson, 6’5 wing, Class 2020. Palmer is not only the leader on this DCA team, but in 2017 he was voted to the All-District team and received the best player in the district award. The best part of his game is that at his size, he has the ability to create off the bounce, pull-up, or attacking the basket. Palmer is a complete nightmare for defenders who are looking to lock him down. He is also a guard who plays hard defense, all the time. Palmer doesn’t take plays off and for that reason why several D3, NAIA and JUCO’s are showing interest. Coaches if you are looking for a great floor general in this 2018 class, don’t forget to look for Cory Palmer.
Jaden Jamison, 6’2, stretch wing, Class 2019, Oakland HS, is surprisingly a great rebounder for his height. He can pass, and has great touch from mid range. He plays inside out and allows his two big time scorers, Timmie Goodrich, Jr. and Keishawn Davidson, to put up numbers. The undersized post must increase his ball handling skills and get more consistency on his jumper by next season. With Goodrich, Jr. and Davidson graduating this season, Jamison will be one of the go to guys during the 2018-2019 season. If he can have a solid summer AAU session, his stock will riser even higher. He is on my player watch list.
Ray Tyler, 5’11 PG, Class 2020, Oakland High School, is the current backup to Timmie Goodrich, Jr. and what a great teacher to have. Tyler’s currently a 3-point specialist with range and is even better off the catch and shoot. He has learned how to finish in traffic and has the handles to create his own shot. The great thing about Tyler is that the coaching staff has two years to develop this dynamite PG. He’s one of the best PG’s in the class of 2020. If this kid has a monster summer, Oakland HS will be rolling again next season.
Daniel Belser, 6’1 SG, Class 2018, Overton High School, is a spot up shoot who loves to get out in transition and make things happen. The kid can handle the ball and looking to help Overton High School make a deep run in Class AA state tournament. Belser is a great player for a NAIA/D3 school. Coaches, keep your eyes on him as the season comes to a close.