Center Hill Jamboree Report

All I can say is "What a way to start basketball season off!!" There was some basketball being played at Center Hill on Saturday. When I left the gym from watching the competition, I was so HYPED UP! I was texting and calling everyone I could think of. I had to tell them what I just witnessed.

SOUTHAVEN!!!! is going to turn some heads in Mississippi this season. The starting 5 is so dangerous. They play so well together. They are athletic, aggressive and play with an attitude. AND NOT SENIORS!!!

6'2 Jasmine Joyner (2013) is extremely long and thin but she plays HUGE! I first saw her in my End of Summer Shoot Out tournament last summer and I must say I see the growth. She is much more than a shot blocker now. She is also a threat on the block --receiving lobs and finishing. Oh and did I mention...you might not want to leave her open behind the arch cause she can nail the 3 pointer!!

5'11 Aaliyah Miller (2013) is so agile and powerful..That's what I first noticed in my exposure league this summer. I just wish she could have played in more than one game because she is a great talent. Nice body size. Nice shooting stroke....Almost unstoppable.

5'8 JoAnna Smith (2013) is THE TRUTH..She is surrounded by so much talent at Southaven that you do not see what she is really capable of. She is an excellent off the dribble shooter. Excellent on the ball defender.And much much more..You have to see it to believe it.. That's why in a week or two, I will have a highlight video up on her...

Combo Guards 5'8 A'Queen Hayes and Olivia Cunningham (2014). I have been watching these 2 since they were 8th graders. There was always something about A'Queen. She has always been like the energizer bunny all over the place. Now she is starting to come into her own. More under control.. She can be your distributor or your scorer. From the outside and penetrating into the paint. Olivia was kind of a mystery. More of a laid back player..That was then.. NOW..She is on fire.. She was unstoppable to the basket. Getting by defenders gracefully into the paint.

Center Hill!!! This young lady is starting to realize her abilities. Another player that I have been watching since in 8th grade. 5'8 Combo Guard Kiarra Golden (2014). She held the point guard duties yesterday but it did not stop her from displaying her scoring abilities. A lefty with the sweetest stroke.. Here is her video as a rising 9th grader.




H. W. Byers!!! Started off last season struggling because of injuries and youth....and still won the STATE title for Mississippi Class 1A state championship.. This season they are healthy and much experienced..The younger players are ready and look out for coach to go deep on his bench. Senior Alexis Hardaway, an Austin Peay commit, will be leading this squad...To my surprise, there was a familiar face on the court with Byers. And she was surprising everyone else.. Getting by defenders and dropping it off...Point Guard Shadae Nolen (2013). A great addition to the squad... You may remember her to. She was the 8th grader highlighted in my Pre-Season Show Off Camp video.