MITCHELL 2005-2006                                                      

Recap 10-11-2005

One of the most highly touted classes to not just come thru Mitchell or Memphis but in the entire United States of America. Led by Georgia Tech commit Thaddeus Young (22.9 pts, 11.9 boards, 4.8 blocks per contest) and number 3 ranked player in Class 2006 (Rivals.com). This group of young men have been to the State one time in their illustrious career while in Division A competition after falling to 3-time state champions Temple featuring the unheralded Skogen brothers in their freshmen year.

Under veteran coach Jerry Johnson at the helm and with already one state championship under his belt while at Kingsbury, coach Johnson will definitely have these kids prepared for the upcoming basketball season that have these young men traveling all over the country beginning with the Rumble on the Ridge at Forrest City High School during Thanksgiving Break.

Supporting cast for Mitchell is Florida bound Brandon 'BP' Powell (16.4 pts., 4 boards, 2.1 blocks, 2.7 steals and 3.1 assists per game) and one of the best 3-pt shooters in the country. Andre 'Chill' Thornton and yet to commit but Stanford in the lead for his services at (15.9 pts., 7 boards, 3.4 blocks per contest). The Ervin brothers rotate on starting services with 6'5 Najule Ervin diamond in the rough  (7.3 pts., 4.9 boards and 1.9 steals per contest), the other brother 6'6 Junile Ervin (5.9 pts., 8.5 boards and 3 blocks per contest). Starting point guard Michael Cager led the team in assists with a team high 264 assists for a 8 assists per game average plus a 6.6 scoring average.

Other players of concern are sophomores Jarvis Jones and Lewis McCoster, senior Luther Rivera and junior Terry Walker who will help carry the load during the strenuous season before us. Assistant Coach Nathan Ervin pictured below will help coach Johnson in one of the most visible classes to ever walk thru Memphis. Mitchell Schedule click here

College Coaches: Diamond in the Rough Team with legitimate off the radar prospects, (college coaches click here).

Scrimmage Schedule:  Germantown Baptist Church Basketball Retreat     Friday, November 4th - Sunday, November 6th @ Germantown Baptist

Tuesday, November 8th                                                                                  Bartlett @ Mitchell

Wednesday, November 9th                                                                          Mitchell at Overton - 3:00 p.m.                                                                  (Mitchell, Overton, Covington, Jackson Southside)

Thursday, November 10th                                                                Brownsville at Mitchell - 4:00 p.m.

Saturday, November 12th at Jackson Liberty (Jackson, TN.)                10:00 a.m. Mitchell vs. Murfreesboro Siegel                                                    11:30 a.m. Mitchell vs. Jackson Liberty                                                         1:30 p.m. Mitchell vs. White Station                                                 

Tuesday, November 15th                                                                               Mitchell at Raleigh Egypt - 4:00 p.m.

Thursday, November 17th at Hamilton                                                  (Jamboree) Mitchell vs. Carver - 4:30 p.m.

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Recap 8-25-2005

BY : ANDRE WHITEHEAD OF TENNESSEE PREP HOOPS

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. I think there is a book that starts off that way, but I digress.

The anticipation of the upcoming AAU or summer campaign was alive and kicking all over the country in May of 2005, especially in Memphis.

The expectations seemed enormous, having finished second in the 17 and under nationals last season as 16's the Memphis YOMCA seemed primed for the ultimate run.

Something happened on the way to the gym.

It was apparent the Bluff City faithful were not the only parties interested in getting a piece of the star studded squad.

Adidas wanted to get a foothold in the ever burgeoning Memphis hoop scene and this seemed to be the initial move to start this particular ball
rolling.

So the YOMCA was no longer in the loop and the Memphis Pump-N-Run were officially born.

Taking a peek at the roster one could not blame Adidas for their bold move. Thaddeus Young, Willie Kemp, Wayne Chism, Pierre Niles and Brandon Powell made up a nucleus that would surely lead Team Memphis to the promised land.

The summer campaign started with a most interesting scenario as the "PNR" lost a game to the Mid-State Ballerz, who ironically had Willie Kemp running the show. This was an illusion that would soon change, as Kemp
shortly thereafter joined the PNR.

With all their ducks in a row, the PNR set out to establish themselves and put a benchmark on the national attention that would follow.

The Real Deal on the Hill, the first major tournament of the summer that coaches could attend. The pundits pined for the impending matchup between Team Memphis and the defending mythical goliath The Indy Spiece Heat. The Heat were led by the consensus top player in the class Greg Oden and numerous other high level prospects who could actually match the
PNR with name recognition.

The reputation was established and the aura of the PNR was created as the boys from Memphis soundly defeated the Heat and made a huge cry across the land as the best summer squad in existence.

Another funny thing happened on the way to their future endeavors, nothing.

For some inexplicable reason the PNR did not suit up for any of the Memorial Day festivities and was sparsely seen until the Adidas Super 64 in Atlanta, following the shoe camps.

The aforementioned players participated in various high level exposure camps and the three major shoe camps and kept their names on the tongues of coaches nationwide.

After achieving individual success at these various camps, the boys got back together with the purpose of putting the finishing touches on a grand and final run through the top programs the country had to offer. They added Ridgeway jumping jack Ernest Fields and ECS powerhouse Tim Johnson to the fold and things looked bright.

Once again a funny thing happened on the way to the gym.

The time off and the lack of continuity played havoc on the chemistry of the PNR and they bowed out early in Atlanta.

Heading to Las Vegas for the final big time event of the summer, the PNR seemed poised and ready to achieve. After dominating pool play the lack of chemistry once again reared it's ugly head and some resentment among the players seemed to end this summer campaign on a sour note.

This team had the potential to be one of the best of all time. It is truly unclear what precipitated these events that grounded this team for much of the latter portion of May and June, but it truly had it's effect on their success.

None the less these kids are part of the best class of seniors to dot the Tennessee landscape in many years.

The decision to completely disassociate themselves with the
organization that they grew up playing for in retrospect now seems like a mistake. The YOMCA will continue on with quality younger teams and what to make of the Adidas affiliation with the Bluff City at this juncture is
unclear.
 

BY : ANDRE WHITEHEAD OF TENNESSEE PREP HOOPS