Firsts from Franklin at East Nashville

<p>"Welcome to The East Empire!"</p> <h3>Avery Patton Takes The Reigns</h3> <p>East Nashville's Jim Fey Era is over.  Long-time assistant <strong>Avery Patton</strong> takes over.  He is assisted by <a href="https://twitter.com/Kyle_Upton">Kyle Upton</a>.</p> <p>What new ideas will he bring?  What strategies will remain untouched?</p> <h3>Franklin Follows a New Leader in Jason Tigert</h3> <p>Franklin hired Jason Tigert to replace Beech High legend Darrin Joines, who took over as Williamson County School District Athletic Director. Franklin High is a quality job with plenty of invested players and parents.  The defense appears to be identical with out significant alteration.  Instead of featuring pesky, brainy Reese Glover, Coach Tigert elected to play stringy, long-armed <strong>Aidan Smylie </strong>at the tip of the spear.  Smylie brings a new element to the 1-3-1 zone that confounded so many in the last three years.</p> <h3>First Trend</h3> <p>Franklin is a team full of powerful arms and hungry rebounders.  What they are not is a team of above-the-rim forwards.  East Nashville hunted offensive rebounds so ferociously that the Rebel forwards consistently applied gentle, whistle-worthy nudges in the back or sides. </p> <p>East Nashville missed many of those ensuing free throws.  That must change in the immediate future, as missed free throws can squander away close games.</p> <h3>Brutes Begin</h3> <p>East Nashville is quick.  They have a smallish frontline.  Franklin is not small.  <strong>Matt Thurman</strong> is a traditional forward with soft touch and beautiful feet and hands.  </p> <p>The other three forwards are not built in the same mold.  <strong>Mason Jones</strong> weighs, maybe 250?  He is a rock of terror.  The forward doubles as a sheet-rock worker, sledgehammering new buildings on the weekends.  Not really.  Mason is a juggernaut and most teams don't have an answer for his power.  <strong>Fisher Anderson</strong> is also a mammoth, a obscenely strong young man who plays fewer minutes currently.</p> <p>The forwards' impact on the game was immediate.  Thurman blocks Isaiah Jones left-handed scoop reversal.  Isaiah doesn't get to practice against long-armed 6-foot-6 post players at East Nashville where he is easily the tallest player.  </p> <h3>The Starter Aidan Smylie</h3> <p>Aidan is LOT better.  </p> <p>From the opening tip-off when Aidan stole the back-tap from East Nashville, it was apparent that he was a demonstrably better player, just like everybody out of Franklin, Tennessee has been alluding to. </p> <p>East Nashville was not ready for the excitable Franklin Rebels.  It was simply a matter of energy.  Like hosts can often appear, East Nashville lacked the crispness, the sharpness of the thoroughly focused and obviously relaxed Rebel unit.</p> <p>Aidan created several first half turnovers.  Leading 10-1, Aidan tipped a dribble free and burst into the forecourt.  Finishing off the fastbreak, Aidan gave Franklin a stunning 12-1 lead.</p> <h3>First Field Goal</h3> <p>East Nashville took decent shots, that wer consistently challenged by the visiting Rebels.  </p> <p><strong>Isaiah Jones</strong> scored the first Eagle field goal 6:52 into the basketball contest!  Jones leaked out after a FHS made basket and simply outran the defense.  His and-1 opened the season for East Nashville, who only managed a single made free throw in the opening 6+ minutes.  What can be drawn from this scoring drought?  Were the young starters simply nervous?  Was the moment too tense for the team?   Are they not as good as expected?   Is Franklin again good enough to play int he TSSAA State Tournament?  Are the big Revel forwards truly that dominating?</p> <p><strong>Jaylen Jones</strong>, considered one of the best freshmen in Nashville, hit a graceful 21' wing three-pointer and all those worries about East Nashville were temporarily forgotten.  Instead of trailing 12-1 with a restless crowd silent, the hosting Eagles suddenly looked just five points up to the leading Rebels, 14-9.</p> <h3>First Hunter Minutes</h3> <p>Franklin gained transfer <strong>Hunter Bedwell</strong> this summer.  The 6-foot-7 forward adds to an already formidable frontcourt of Thurman, Mason Jones, and friends. He brings a uniquely explosive, gritty element to a largely technical team.   Bedwell plays above the rim and runs the floor like a tall guard.  Though much more thin than the starters, Bedwell possesses a different kind of grit and ferocity. </p> <p><em>Follow @AndrewForce8.</em></p>