Tuesday, April 29, 2014

Shout Out to Memphis Teams during the Spring Evaluation Period

I just want to send a special shout out to all the Memphis teams that traveled this past weekend participating in NCAA certified events. I'm sure you represented Memphis very well.


M33M: Peach State Basketball TipOff Classic Georgia (Suwanee, GA )

Memphis Dream 8th Grade: Peach State Basketball TipOff Classic Tennessee (Nashville, TN )

Memphis Dream Fr: Peach State Basketball TipOff Classic Tennessee (Nashville, TN )


Memphis Tri State Elite:  Heart of Texas (Frisco, TX)  3-1

Memphis Tri State Elite - Holmes: Peach State Basketball TipOff Classic Tennessee (Nashville, TN)  3rd Place Story


Team Memphis Elite: Montgomery Basketball City Fest (Montgomery, AL)


Team Memphis Elite Fr: Peach State Basketball TipOff Classic Tennessee (Nashville, TN )

Team Memphis Elite Jr: Peach State Basketball TipOff Classic Tennessee (Nashville, TN )

Team All In: Montgomery Basketball City Fest (Montgomery, AL)


Team Penny: Deep South Classic (Raleigh, NC)

Team Tennessee Glory: Peach State Basketball TipOff Classic Tennessee (Nashville, TN )

Monday, April 28, 2014

Several Area Players receive Peach State Basketball Super 64 Evaluation Camp Invites

This past weekend several Memphis teams hit the road to participate in the Spring NCAA Evaluation Period and play in front of college coaches, scouts and media.  This is also an opportunity for players to get invites to camps operated by scouting organizations, like Peach State Basketball.

Congrats to the following for receiving invitations to Peach State Basketball's Super 64 Evaluation Camp held this summer in Georgia.

Team Memphis Elite-Williams: 
Alexis Hamlet, West Memphis (2015)
Tori Sewell, Arlington (2016)

Team Memphis Elite-Burton: 

Shay Johnson, Bahalia (2018)
Gigi Lewis, MHEA (2018)

Team Journey wins MAYB-Jackson, TN 7/8th Grade Division

Congrats to Team Journey for traveling to Jackson, TN and winning the MAYB 7/8th Grade Division.



Derek Hunter to coach Mitchell girls basketball team

 Image and Article from Commercial Appeal


Derek Hunter says he’s retiring. Sort of.

On Friday, Hunter, the longtime Memphis-area girls basketball coach, was announced as the new coach at Mitchell High. He’ll retire from the Shelby County schools system as a teacher on May 23 due to persistent back issues, but those issues will not prevent him from being able to coach.

"I am very grateful for the opportunities I have been given to mold the lives of so many young ladies at my previous two schools (Central and Booker T. Washington)," Hunter said in an e-mail. "It has been an incredible journey.

"Too many times success in coaching is measured by wins and losses. ... But those are not the things I cherish most. It’s things like a mother calling you because her daughter has dropped one of her contacts down the drain of their sink and you have to take the drain pipe off to recover it. It’s buying more pizza and hamburgers and giving more rides than I care to remember."

Hunter -- who did not coach this past season -- is the all-time career victories leader in Shelby County girls basketball, with 722 in 32 seasons. He's also coached cross-country and track and his teams have combined to win over 100 city, league, district and regional championships.

Team Memphis Elite 6th Grade - Memphis Super Stars Invitational Champs

Congrats to Team Memphis Elite-Burton for coming in 1st place defeating Memphis Super Champs 8th grade team 27-26.

Tuesday, April 22, 2014

Tennessee wins Mike Conley Jr.'s All Star Classic




Last Thursday, several Memphis area seniors traveled to Little Rock, AR to participate in the Mike Conley Jr.' s Arkansas vs Tennessee All Star Classic.  The Tennessee squad represented very well by defeating Arkansas  92-72.  Horn Lake's Olivia Cunningham was named MVP.


Tennessee Roster included:

Laka Blanche    Whitehaven
Olivia Cunningham    Horn Lake
A'Queen Hayes    Horn Lake
Irene James    Raliegh Egypt
Briauna Mitchell Hamilton
Alise Parker    Houston
Shondria Scruggs     Bartlett
Karnesha Trent    Wooddale
Derica Wiggins    Oakhaven
Tia Wooten    Central  

Congrats Ladies!

Monday, April 14, 2014

2014 Commercial Appeal’s Pepsi Best of Preps Teams and Finalist

2014 Dream Come True Tournament Champions

5th Grade Champs - MO Pro Elite
5th Grade 2nd Place - Memphis Dream
4th Grade Champs - Memphis Dream
4th Grade 2nd Place - Memphis Lady Celtics
6th Grade Champs - Memphis Elite
6th Grade 2nd Place - TN Lady Raptors

7th Grade Champs - Memphis Elite-Rutherford
7th Grade 2nd Place - Memphis Lady Celtics
8th Grade Champs - Memphis Lady Eagles
9th Grade Champs - Elite Sports
9th Grade 2nd Place - Lady Bulldogs
10th Grade Champs - Memphis Lady All Stars
10th Grade 2nd Place - Memphis Dream
11th Grade Champs - Memphis Elite-Curtis
11th Grade 2nd Place - Lady M33M

Memphis Future Stars "Play Date"

Friday, April 18th 5:00 pm - 9:00 pm 
Saturday, April 19th 2014 10:00 am – 3:00 pm




Tuesday, April 8, 2014

Dream Come True Classic 2014 Brackets

Please Check Back Regularly for Updates























Melissa McFerrin Hoops School Summer Camp Dates Set

Click HERE for online registration for all three camp sessions.

The Melissa McFerrin Hoops School summer camp dates have been set. The annual camp will have three sessions again in the summer of 2014, starting with an Elite Camp, June 18th. That Elite Camp will be followed by a one-day Team Camp on June 19th, and by a four-day Day Camp, June 23-26th. Online registration for all camps is available at www.CoachMcFerrin.com.

The Elite Camp is a one-day camp for all high schools girls entering grades 9-12 in the Fall of 2014 and will be held at the Larry Finch Center and the University of Memphis Student Recreation and Fitness Center. Questions about Elite Camp can be emailed to the coaching staff at mmhoopsschool@hotmail.com.

The Team Camp will follow Elite Camp on June 19th and is for any team 13U or older (varsity, JV, AAU, church, youth, etc.). With a three-game guarantee, the games will begin at 9 a.m. and will include participation in the “Nerves of Steel” pressure situation tournament, chalk talks by the University of Memphis coaching staff and a camp t-shirt for all players and coaches. For questions on Team camp, email mmhoopsschool@hotmail.com.

The Day Camp is for girls entering grades 3-9 in the Fall of 2014 and runs from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. daily (June 23-26th). The Day Camp will be held in the Elma Roane Fieldhouse on the University of Memphis campus (495 Zach Curlin Street). The Day Camp will provide a fun, safe and educational environment for basketball instructions, and will focus on the fundamentals of the game through station and position work taught by college players and coaches. All campers will get a camp t-shirt and awards and prizes will be handed out throughout the week. Discounts are available for University of Memphis faculty or staff, returning campers, and families with multiple siblings. Contact mmhoopsschool@hotmail.com for online code for discounts or for additional questions.

TSWA All-state Basketball Teams

All-state prep basketball teams as announced by the Tennessee Sportswriters Association.

GIRLS CLASS AAA
Alexa Middleton (Riverdale), Crystal Dangerfield (Blackman), Keiana Gilbert (Columbia Central), Falon Baker (Beech), Tianna Tarter (Science Hill), Gabby Lyon (Science Hill), Sally McCabe (Mt. Juliet), Mika Wester (Cocke Co.), Brooke Copeland (Bradley Central), Rebecca Reuter (Bradley Central), Brittany Tarr (Sevier Co.), Brandi Beasley (Ridgeway), Jaida Roper (Houston), Shelbie Davenport (Riverdale), Meme Jackson (Blackman), Alex Johnson (Blackman), Janie White (Rossview).

GIRLS CLASS AA
Abbey Sissom (Cannon County), Rachel Bell (Creek Wood), Allison Hodge (Grainger), Tiffany Rechis (Westview), Adi Hale (Lexington), Keke McKinney (Fulton), Anna Hammaker (CAK), Andi Lamb (Chuckey-Doak), Kayla Marosites (Elizabethton), Callie Hackett (Smith Co.), Manaya Jones (Raleigh-Egypt), Jamee Ward (Brainerd), Jacobi Lynn (McMinn Central), Keely Frederick (Sequatchie Co.).

GIRLS CLASS A
Jaycee Coe (Jackson Co.), Cariona Hassell (Goodpasture), Mendy McNeese (North Greene), Averyale Joy (Middleton), Rachel Lee (Jackson Christian), Deja Faulkner (Middleton), Chole Roberts (Scotts Hill), Courtney Wilson (Cloudland), Lauren Hensley (Grace Christian), Derica Wiggins (Oakhaven), Emileigh Swafford (Meigs County), Anna Beal (Houston Co.), Ashlynd Wilkerson (MTCS), Cheyenne Shaver (Clarkrange), Brittany Cooper (Clarkrange).

GIRLS DIVISION 2
Micah Sheetz (Webb), Emily Lytle (ECS), Kaylan Pugh (St. Mary’s), Jasmine Cincore (Briarcrest), Kennesha Nichols (Ensworth), Kennedy Potts (Harpeth Hall), Anna Jones (USJ), Kyndal Hale (PJP), Elise Holden (Briarcrest), Brynn Holden (Briarcrest), Kimberlee Keltner (Northpoint), Ashtyn Baker (Northpoint), Kaleigh Clemons (Baylor), Allison Cowie (BGA), Akia Harris (GPS), Katie Collier (Webb).


Team Memphis Elite 7th Grade wins Tennessee Lady Flash AAU State Qualifying Tournament

Congrats to Team Memphis Elite - Rutherford for winning the 7th Grade Division this past weekend in Jackson, TN.


Monday, April 7, 2014

Journey to Memphis' Next Top Baller Episode 21

March 2014 training is in the books. I'm enjoying every bit of it.

I've watched players go from being frustrated with handling 2 basketballs to now being able to dribble 2 basketballs at a time. I've watched players go from not being able to at least hit the rim while performing a layup to know making layups.

My 7 year old niece is in the middle of her first basketball season ever and her growth is amazing. She is a natural leader as she directs her teammates and shows her emotions after the game.

It is such a joy to watch players get better and gain confidence.

Below is a video from the Junior training session on March 22, 2014. I'm explaining to the players how to demand the basketball. Then I demonstrate the 30 Second Jump Shooting drill.




Join us at the next basketball training session