Top Players of the Week

Every week, naming the top players of the week gets easier and easier and easier. Everyone seems to be playing with a sense of urgency with the postseason right around the corner.

Teams, now, are fighting for seeding in their respected district tournaments. For the very first time this season, I was able to get 30-plus players to make the list. That goes to show you how much talent is in the city of Memphis and the state of Tennessee.

Here are my Top Players of the Week:

Jesse Payne Jr., Whitehaven – The junior point guard had 18 points in the Tigers' 68-62 home win over White Station Friday night.

Matthew Murrell, Whitehaven – Murrell had 13 points against the Spartans, despite playing with a groin strain.

Ashton Smith, Southwind – The senior point guard had a game-high 28 points in the 77-75 double-overtime loss to Houston on Senior Night.

Nick Tarrance, Houston – Tarrance led the Mustangs with 23 points in their win over the Jaguars.

Alex Marsh, Houston – Marsh had 15 points in the win over Southwind.

T.J. Madlock, Houston – Madlock had 14 points against the Jaguars.

Zander Yates, Houston – The sophomore forward had 13 points against Southwind.

Joe Cooper, Olive Branch – The senior point guard had 16 points in the 78-60 win over Fayette Ware Monday night.

D.J. Jeffries, Olive Branch – The Memphis commit also had 16 points against the Wildcats.

Cameron Matthews, Olive Branch – The junior forward had 13 points against Fayette Ware.

Brandon Brown, White Station – Brown had 22 points in the Spartans' stunning win over Memphis East. He had 26 points in the loss at Whitehaven.

Amauri Abner, White Station – Abner had 14 points against the Mustangs, then recorded 13 points against the Tigers.

Willie Foreman, White Station – The sophomore forward is continuing to progress, especially with his outside shooting. Foreman has been aggressive this season by driving to the basket. He had 10 points against Whitehaven.

Kolby Hillson, White Station – The junior shooting guard had 19 points in the win over Memphis East.

Kennedy Chandler, Briarcrest - The sophomore point guard had 24 points, five assists, five rebounds, and four steals in the Saints' 76-65 win over University Heights in the second game of the Fuel to the Fire Showcase by Ultimate Preps. Chandler was named MVP. 

Omari Thomas, Briarcrest - Thomas had 22 points against the Blazers.

Rodney Newsom, Briarcrest - Newsom was very active on the glass. He also was active on the offensive end. Newsom had eight points.

Wynne Brown Jr., Bartlett - Brown Jr. had 21 points in the Panthers' 64-52 win over Lausanne Saturday night in the first game of the Fuel to the Fire Showcase by Ultimate Preps. Brown Jr. was awarded MVP.

Chandler Jackson, Christian Brothers - Jackson had 14 points in a one-point loss to Briarcrest Friday night.

Reese McMullen, Christian Brothers - The sophomore guard had 13 points against the Saints.

Jordan Rawls, Hamilton Heights - The junior point guard had 31 points and three assists in the Hawks' win over McCallie in the Dr. Pepper Classic.

Samson Ruzhentsev, Hamilton Heights - The junior wing had 31 points and three rebounds in the Hawks' win over Holy Spirit.

Bayron Matos, Hamilton Heights – Matos had seven points and 17 rebounds against the Cougars of Holy Spirit.

Kevin Henry, Center Hill - Henry recorded 29 points, eight rebounds, and seven steals in the Mustangs' 99-57 win over Lewisburg.

Calvin Temple, Center Hill - The IUPUI commit had 29 points in the 106-48 win over Lake Cormorant.

Kenneth Lewis, Center Hill – Lewis had 21 points against the Gators.

Kaeden Laws, Center Hill – Laws had 22 points against the Lewisburg Patriots.

Bruce Guy Jr., Cordova – The Iona commit recorded 22 points in the Wolfpack's 66-48 win over Arlington Tuesday night.

Sky Forest, Lausanne – The senior combo guard had 16 points and 12 rebounds in the loss to Bartlett.

Jalen Bo Montgomery, Lausanne – Montgomery added 13 points against the Panthers.

Johnathan DeJurnett, Lausanne – The junior forward had 12 points, eight rebounds, and three blocks against Bartlett.

James Wiseman, Memphis East – Wiseman had 32 points and 11 rebounds in the Mustangs' 80-69 win over Memphis Central. He went a perfect 13 for 13 from the field against the Warriors. Wiseman had 20 points and 17 rebounds in the two-point loss to White Station.

Malcolm Dandridge, Memphis East – Dandridge recorded 25 points against the Spartans.