The SIP Coverage of the JPS/Pepsi Tourney
by JL Adams
With the exception of the state tournament, the most anticipated tournament of the basketball season got underway this past Friday and Saturday, the JPS/Pepsi Christmas Tournament. Semi-final action is Monday and championship play is Tuesday.
With All Due Respect to Indiana, Iowa, and the playgrounds of New York, some of the best high school basketball in the country has to be right here in little ole Mississippi.
At the 2008 JPS/Pepsi tournament, there were enough college coaches attending to make the tournament look like a coaches convention. Some of the schools represented were Mississippi State, Ole Miss, Oklahoma State, and Marquette, just to name a few.
Friday night Forest Hill's Junior Point Guard, Andre Stringer led his team against Noxubee County and Mississippi State Signee, Shaunessy Smith.
by JL Adams
With the exception of the state tournament, the most anticipated tournament of the basketball season got underway this past Friday and Saturday, the JPS/Pepsi Christmas Tournament. Semi-final action is Monday and championship play is Tuesday.
With All Due Respect to Indiana, Iowa, and the playgrounds of New York, some of the best high school basketball in the country has to be right here in little ole Mississippi.
At the 2008 JPS/Pepsi tournament, there were enough college coaches attending to make the tournament look like a coaches convention. Some of the schools represented were Mississippi State, Ole Miss, Oklahoma State, and Marquette, just to name a few.
Friday night Forest Hill's Junior Point Guard, Andre Stringer led his team against Noxubee County and Mississippi State Signee, Shaunessy Smith.
Stringer goes on the floor for it. picture by Joe Ellis
In one of the most amazing performances of the season, Stringer poured in 47 points most from NBA 3 point range. In my opinion he laid claim to the premier junior in the state and if you refer to my comments above, top in this state put you in the elite in the entire country. Stringer's team won 105 to 101 in regulation. Wow!!!
Andre said his top five schools are Alabama, Mississippi State, Florida State, Oklahoma and Memphis with the Crimson Tide at the top of the list.
"I went there for a football game and I really liked the environment," Stringer said after his 47-point outing in Friday night's 105-101 victory over Noxubee County. "I've connected with the assistant (basketball) coaches really well."
Shaunessy, consider by many services the top ranked senior in the state finished with 34 points. Fast forward to Saturday and Jeremy Adams led his Madison Central Jaguars against the same Noxubee County team. His efforts came very close to matching Stringer from the night before as he finished with 43 points in leading his team to a 79 to 73 victory. Coaches from Marquette, Mississippi State, Ole Miss, and Oklahoma State were in the crowd to watch the match up and Adams did not disappoint. One 4 point play had the Noxubee County player literally grabbing Adams left arm as he went up from beyond the 3 point line. He got the shot off one handed, for a "you had to be there to see it" basket and he made the free throw to complete the 4 point play. How well did Adams play? Big East Conference Member Marquette offered Adams a scholarship on the spot after the game and Oklahoma State who was seeing Adams play for the first time left with indications of an offer forthcoming. Adams list of schools at this point include, Marquette (offer), Ole Miss, USM (offer), UAB, South Florida (offer), University of Houston (offer), LSU, Texas A&M, and Wake Forest.
Monday's semi-final action is:
MONDAY
GIRLS SEMIFINALS
At Lanier
Warren Central vs. Lanier 6 p.m.
At Forest Hill
Clinton vs. Forest Hill, 6 p.m.
BOYS SEMIFINALS
At Lanier
Wingfield vs. Meridian, 7:30
At Forest Hill
Provine vs. Callaway, 7:30 p.m.
TUESDAY
At Forest Hill
Girls championship, 6 p.m.
Boys championship, 7:30 p.m.
I expect to see Callaway (backcourt is too strong for Provine) and Meridian in the championship game.
Speaking of the Callaway Chargers, coached by former Ole Miss assistant Wayne Brent, they have the top backcourt in the state and one of the top in the country. Fresh off their win over the nations #7 ranked team, Wheeler (GA), they defeated Adams' Madison Central team and Stringer's Forest Hill team.
Julyesses Nobles and Deville Smith (finished with 30 against Forest Hill) will give anyone fits. Nobles is being pursued hard by former Ole Miss head coach, Rod Barnes, now at Georgia State. I am not sure who is in hot pursuit of Deville, but I will work to find out.
Andre said his top five schools are Alabama, Mississippi State, Florida State, Oklahoma and Memphis with the Crimson Tide at the top of the list.
"I went there for a football game and I really liked the environment," Stringer said after his 47-point outing in Friday night's 105-101 victory over Noxubee County. "I've connected with the assistant (basketball) coaches really well."
Shaunessy, consider by many services the top ranked senior in the state finished with 34 points. Fast forward to Saturday and Jeremy Adams led his Madison Central Jaguars against the same Noxubee County team. His efforts came very close to matching Stringer from the night before as he finished with 43 points in leading his team to a 79 to 73 victory. Coaches from Marquette, Mississippi State, Ole Miss, and Oklahoma State were in the crowd to watch the match up and Adams did not disappoint. One 4 point play had the Noxubee County player literally grabbing Adams left arm as he went up from beyond the 3 point line. He got the shot off one handed, for a "you had to be there to see it" basket and he made the free throw to complete the 4 point play. How well did Adams play? Big East Conference Member Marquette offered Adams a scholarship on the spot after the game and Oklahoma State who was seeing Adams play for the first time left with indications of an offer forthcoming. Adams list of schools at this point include, Marquette (offer), Ole Miss, USM (offer), UAB, South Florida (offer), University of Houston (offer), LSU, Texas A&M, and Wake Forest.
Monday's semi-final action is:
MONDAY
GIRLS SEMIFINALS
At Lanier
Warren Central vs. Lanier 6 p.m.
At Forest Hill
Clinton vs. Forest Hill, 6 p.m.
BOYS SEMIFINALS
At Lanier
Wingfield vs. Meridian, 7:30
At Forest Hill
Provine vs. Callaway, 7:30 p.m.
TUESDAY
At Forest Hill
Girls championship, 6 p.m.
Boys championship, 7:30 p.m.
I expect to see Callaway (backcourt is too strong for Provine) and Meridian in the championship game.
Speaking of the Callaway Chargers, coached by former Ole Miss assistant Wayne Brent, they have the top backcourt in the state and one of the top in the country. Fresh off their win over the nations #7 ranked team, Wheeler (GA), they defeated Adams' Madison Central team and Stringer's Forest Hill team.
Julyesses Nobles and Deville Smith (finished with 30 against Forest Hill) will give anyone fits. Nobles is being pursued hard by former Ole Miss head coach, Rod Barnes, now at Georgia State. I am not sure who is in hot pursuit of Deville, but I will work to find out.
Wrap Up:
JPS/Pepsi Holiday Tournament
by JL Adams
BOYS Semi Final Action
Provine 65, Callaway 56
Meridian 68, Wingfield 64
Boys Championship Game-
Meridian 61 Provine 49
For the first time in 13 years, a team other than a local Jackson Public School team won the JPS/Pepsi Holiday Tournament. Meridian, the state’s #2 ranked team beat the Provine Rams to lay claim to the title.
In the semi final game, Provine defeated the Callaway Chargers in a very electric atmosphere at Forest Hill gym. It was unbelievably hot inside, standing room only, and some reports have over 700 people being turned away at the door.
JPS/Pepsi Holiday Tournament
by JL Adams
BOYS Semi Final Action
Provine 65, Callaway 56
Meridian 68, Wingfield 64
Boys Championship Game-
Meridian 61 Provine 49
For the first time in 13 years, a team other than a local Jackson Public School team won the JPS/Pepsi Holiday Tournament. Meridian, the state’s #2 ranked team beat the Provine Rams to lay claim to the title.
In the semi final game, Provine defeated the Callaway Chargers in a very electric atmosphere at Forest Hill gym. It was unbelievably hot inside, standing room only, and some reports have over 700 people being turned away at the door.
Meridian's Deshun Carter battles Emery Kelly (partially obstructed) and Jalen Courtney of Provine Tuesday during the JPS/Pepsi Holiday Tournament title game.
(Greg Jenson/The Clarion-Ledger)
(Greg Jenson/The Clarion-Ledger)
I thought the Callaway guards would prove to be too strong for the Rams, as they are among thebest in the country, but I should have learned by now to never underestimate the coaching genius of Provine’s Luther Riley. Provine the 2 time defending State Champions in Class 5A, tend to find a way to win, and the semi-final game was another example. The Rams with the talented tandem of Jalen Courtney and Emery Kelly working the post, advanced to the championship game to face Meridian who defeated Wingfield.
The championship game was moved to Jackson State University to accommodate the huge crowd.
In the title game, Meridian avenged an earlier 3 point loss to Provine at Provine, to become the first none JPS team in 13 years to win the tourney. Meridan led by 6’7’ sophomore at the point, placed 3 player on the all tournament team including the tournament MVP, see below. Provine had their chances, but could not catch the Wildcats, who by the way, are building a great program led by former JPS star Randy Bolen. Meridan has the talent to make it the championship game come state tournament time.
The Wildcats and Rams have not split their 2 games this season and I would not be surprised is this is a preview of the Finals matchup in 5A Another great JPS Christmas Tournament.
The next big event is the MLK holiday tournament where the state’s #1 ranked team, Biloxi is scheduled to participate.
BOYS ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM
Donovan Walker, Meridian (MVP)
Kenny Brown, Meridian
Jalen Courtney, Provine
Howard Green, Bailey
Marcellus Hansberry, Lanier
Joshua Hollins, Crystal Springs
Rodney Hood, Meridian
Terry Jackson, Wingfield
Emery Kelly, Provine
Dundrecous Nelson, Murrah
Julysses Nobles, Callaway
Andre Stringer, Forest Hill
Ruscell Williams, Jin Hill
The championship game was moved to Jackson State University to accommodate the huge crowd.
In the title game, Meridian avenged an earlier 3 point loss to Provine at Provine, to become the first none JPS team in 13 years to win the tourney. Meridan led by 6’7’ sophomore at the point, placed 3 player on the all tournament team including the tournament MVP, see below. Provine had their chances, but could not catch the Wildcats, who by the way, are building a great program led by former JPS star Randy Bolen. Meridan has the talent to make it the championship game come state tournament time.
The Wildcats and Rams have not split their 2 games this season and I would not be surprised is this is a preview of the Finals matchup in 5A Another great JPS Christmas Tournament.
The next big event is the MLK holiday tournament where the state’s #1 ranked team, Biloxi is scheduled to participate.
BOYS ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM
Donovan Walker, Meridian (MVP)
Kenny Brown, Meridian
Jalen Courtney, Provine
Howard Green, Bailey
Marcellus Hansberry, Lanier
Joshua Hollins, Crystal Springs
Rodney Hood, Meridian
Terry Jackson, Wingfield
Emery Kelly, Provine
Dundrecous Nelson, Murrah
Julysses Nobles, Callaway
Andre Stringer, Forest Hill
Ruscell Williams, Jin Hill