REWIND: Beech vs. Wilson Central
In an effort to familiarize myself with more players, I decided to watch full game film from the previous high school basketball season. These are some thoughts. Wilson Central met Beech in the 9AAA District Tournament. Beech was the higher seed and they entered as the home team, despite Wilson Central High School hosting the tournament. It entered the final minute a one-point game. With Beard handling out high, the veteran attempted to create a game-winning shot for the underdog Wildcats. Sophomore Kristian Shaw extended his defense out to 25' and utilized his size to deflect a pass. When Beech recovered they shot a pass upcourt to an awaiting Shaw. Shaw made a layup with 3 seconds left and WCHS heaved a prayer as the buzzer sounded.
Beech won 59-56 and advanced to the District Semifinals. What did I learn?
The Smoothness of Andrew Paige
Beech’s premiere guard is Kaleb Powell Kaleb Powell 6'3" | PG Beech | 2021 State TN (Class of 2021), but the outgoing sophomore class features three really strong players: Andrew Paige, Kristian Shaw, Jackson Long.
REWIND: Wilson Central ('19-'20) was so udnersized at almost every position.
— Andrew Force (@AndrewForce8) May 31, 2020
Beech leads 26-19 with '22 F @AndrewWPaige (Beech) all over the glass.
The Fluidity of Kristian Shaw
Kristian Shaw is appropriately considered one of the best players in 9AAA. Shaw moves with a natural fluidity. Shaw looks to have plenty of room to grow as a basketball player. His impact in this particular basetball game was negligible and yet he made All-District following the season.
Shaw came alive in the second half. His footspeed sets him apart from most 9AAA players. There really are few weaknesses in the junior-to-be’s game.
Foul Magnets
Kaleb Powell Kaleb Powell 6'3" | PG Beech | 2021 State TN , a top 60 player in ’21,
Adler Kerr (’22) earned his way to the free throw line plenty. At this point he is a tough, undersized forward. Kerr dons the white headband and plays with an admirably scrappiness. It appears Kerr began weight-lifting already and though he is not all that powerful yet he has strong, high shoulders and a willingness to put in the work.
Smart Basketball
Wilson Central really plays intelligently. Their 2-3 zone is structured and solid. Despite playing a shorter unit they don’t get beat often by penetration. Further, WCHS makes crisp passes in the halfcourt that generally lead to high percentage shots. Now there are some players that can’t make those shots finding minutes, but the plays and the movement of the ball are sound.
Returning Punch
Beech certainly brings back the most talent. Andrew Paige is a dynamic high school player with college basketball potential. He is nimble, versatile, crafty, tall. Established star Kaleb Powell Kaleb Powell 6'3" | PG Beech | 2021 State TN is as steady as they come. He can score in the mid-range or get to the free throw line.
Wilson Central boasts a really talented underclassman. Braiden Staten is a player to keep an eye on in '23. He is tall, lean, and agile. There is a promising future with him.
Wilson Central was coached by Michael Teeter. The following snippet features some background on Teeter.
Winfree Bryant Middle School basketball coach Michael Teeter has been named head boys’ basketball coach at Wilson Central High School, WCHS athletic director Chip Bevis confirmed Tuesday night.
Teeter is a former Friendship Christian basketball and football star whose mother, Deanna, is the Lady Commanders’ winningest hoops coach.
Before coming to Winfree Bryant, Teeter coached the boys at Watertown Middle. He was also at Wilson Central on Troy Bond’s staff in the early 2010s.
“He’s local,” Bevis said. “He knows the community. He has experienced with Central.
“Has a good background, good family, just a lot of things we were looking for.”
Teeter replaces Chris Carney, who left the school after three seasons last month to take the position at Mt. Pleasant. He will become the Wildcats’ fourth coach since the school opened in 2001, but the third since Bond left for Oakland in 2015.
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