2nd Annual Tennessee Turkey Jamm Recap and Interviews

All I can say is WOW. Demond "DJ" Hairston of Girl Powher Showcases knows how to put on a well ran national event. I'm personally happy to have an event of this status in my home town.

This event drew 6 nationally ranked teams which lead to over 30 college coaches and 2 girls basketball national media representatives, ESPN Hoopgurl's Mark Lewis, and Peach State Hoops, Brandon Clay. College coaches in attendance included Tennesee Tech, Louisville, Rice, Arkansas-Little Rock, Southen Miss, Syracuse, Georgia State, Mississippi State, Boston College, Clemson, Southern Illinois, Air Force, Dayton, Missouri State, Pittsburgh, St, Louis, St. Johns, Nebraska, and Middle Tennessee State.

I read and hear about the Bolingbrook, Whitney Young, Potter House teams but to be able to personally witness them was a treat. I was not disappointed.

If you don't know about the caliber of  players that represent these teams let me break it down for you.

#4 Bolingbrook (IL)
Ariel Massengale (2011) - #1 ranked point guard heading to Tennesse
Morgan Tuck (2012) - #3 ranked forward heading to Connecticut

#6 Potters House (FL)
Antoinette Bannister (2012) - #7 ranked guard heading to North Carolina
Brittany Roundtree (2011) - #11 ranked point guard heading to North Carolina
Loliya Briggs (2011) - #13 ranked guard heading to Pittsburgh
Shalethia Stringfield (2011) - #19 ranked point guard heading to South Florida

#9 Whitney Young (IL)
Kiana Johnson (2011) - #12 ranked point guard heading to Michigan State
Chanise Jenkins (2011) - #14 ranked point guard heading to Depaul

I can't forget my Memphis teams..

Ridgeway went undefeated in the event for the second year in a row. Defeating Forest Park 61 - 56 and Oldsmar Academy 50-49.

St. Benedict also went undefeated. They beat H. W. Byers 56-41 and West Memphis 47 - 40. Symone Daniels, who is heading to Drake next year, may be the most improved player in the city. She has always been a high energy aggressive post player. But now we need to add that she is a high energy aggressive guard. Last year, it was known that she will get the rebound and travel the length of the floor for a layup. Now she is handling the ball the length of the floor and dishing it to the open wing. And her left hand is legit. I witnessed her time and time and time again go in for left handed layups aggressively and with confidence as if it was her natural strong hand.

Overton went 1-1. Losing to #20 Hoover 66-55 and rebounding to defeat Potters House 56-53. Overton had lost to #6 Potters House last year in this event. Overton is known for their aggressive in your face man-to-man defense but on Day 2 of the TN Turkey Jamm it was their zone defense that contained Potter House. Overton leaders, Cornelia Fondren and Jasmine Stafford, got into foul trouble with Cornelia fouling out in the 4th. However, Overton did not crumble. It was team effort that allowed them to beat the # 6 nationally ranked team.

#5 Central also went 1-1. Central looked very uncharacteristic on day 1 losing to #4 Bolingbrook 65-45. However on Day 2 the #5 ranked team came to play defeating #9 Whitney Young 82-79.  The beginning of the game looked as if the quickness and aggressiveness of Whitney Young was too much for the Warriors. But this squad of national players, Danielle Ballard, Aaliyah Whiteside and Nina Davis, along with a talented group of freshman, responded for the win.


Jason Thompson, H.W. Byers Head Coach Interview


Kourtney Coleman H.W. Byers Senior Interview


Symone Daniels St. Benedict Senior Interview


Michael Morgan Head Coach Oldsmar Christian School Interview