MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – The 2012 Tennessee Turkey Jamm may have moved up the road from its previous home in Memphis but nothing was lost in the relocation. Featuring a lineup of 23 teams from eight different states, the fourth annual Thanksgiving weekend edition offered up its usual feast of talented teams and players.
As one of the premier early season events, the Turkey Jamm provided a litany of recruiters, evaluators and media an opportunity to get a look at some high profile programs, established recruits and some teams and younger players hoping to make some noise as the season progresses. If you’re looking for an indication of the competitive level of the event just look at the fact that established powers Bolingbrook (Illinois) and McEachern (Georgia) both went home without a win along with two losses tacked onto their records. Granted rosters have changed from last year but there’s still plenty of top tier talent on both squads that will eventually play at the next level.
Played in a classic format, some teams played two games while others took the floor just once between Friday and Sunday. Host Riverdale (Tennessee) was impressive in both of their outings as was local rival Oakland (Tennessee) who posted two quality wins as well. Another local team Blackman got a big win over Bolingbrook in their only game while Incarnate Word (Missouri) won a hard fought battle over highly regarded Hoover (Alabama) in their single contest. Hoover split their two games as did Memphis Central (Tennessee) and the Tyler Scaife led team from Hall (Arkansas).
Records for the remaining participants in the 2012 Tennessee Turkey Jamm
Lee (Alabama) 2 and 0
Wooddale (Tennessee) 2 and 0
Horn Lake (Mississippi) 1 and 0
HW Byers (Mississippi) 1 and 0
Butlerville (Ohio) 1 and 1
Campbell (Georgia) 1 and 1
Franklin County (Tennessee) 1 and 1
Shades Valley (Alabama) 1 and 1
Wilson Central (Tennessee) 1 and 1
Winton Woods (Ohio) 1 and 1
Provine (Mississippi) 0 and 2
Stone Mountain (Georgia) 0 and 2
Tyner (Tennessee) 0 and 2
Walnut Hills (Ohio) 0 and 2
Let’s Talk turkey
Of course with talented teams you’ve got talented players. Let’s take a look at some of the standout talent on hand.
Easily two of the more impressive performances of the weekend came from Nepheesa Collier of Incarnate Word and Riverdale’s Alexa Middleton.
The 6-1 Collier is a sophomore forward with the perimeter skills to give you an inkling of a future further from the rim. Combining length, athleticism and agility, she challenges smaller defenders with her size and leaves the bigs standing with her attack. The tools are there to be a factor both in transition and the halfcourt with her ability to run the floor or cut aggressively. She can score effectively around the rim but has a reliable pull up with impressive elevation. Collier was more than willing to get in a stance and match up with opposing backcourt players and had the footwork to turn and influence ballhandlers. Strength may be an issue right now but the fame is there to develop a physical element in her game that should serve her well in the future.
Middleton has been on everyone’s radar for several years now and the junior just seems to get better and better each time out. The competitive nature of her game is something that’s sets the 5-9 guard apart from most of her peers on both ends of the floor. It’s hard to say that there is any one specific aspect of her game that defines her attack but rather the depth and well-rounded array of skills that she can call upon. In a 32 point outburst Sunday (while sitting the entire fourth period) she scored in transition, spotting up, off the drive and for good measure collected more than her share of assists along the way. The versatile combo runs the floor as if a winning lottery ticket is on the opposite baseline every possession and makes plays offensively and defensively as a result. Her willingness to mix things up and embrace physical play is something that will make her transition to the next level smoother than most. The best thing about Middleton at this point is the feeling that she’s still going to evolve even more.
Senior Moments
Baylor bound Nina Davis of Memphis Central is now carrying the load for Coach Niki Bray. The 6-1 swing player seems to be embracing the role in a quiet but effective manner. After a stellar summer playing the forward spot for the Tennessee Flight, Davis is offering is offering up some diverse play from the wing and in the paint. She won’t be taking over at the point any time soon but the ballhandling is there to create from the high post or off the entry in transition. Her floater may look like wishful thinking but it’s an efficient and consistent weapon. The perimeter shot has come a long, long way and still has much fine tuning to be done but it’s starting to look like something that can at least keep folks honest. Finishing in traffic and around the rim is something Davis does as well as anyone and even better is her willingness to take a hit and go to the line. On defense her versatility is a coach’s dream both in pressing situations or matching up in the halfcourt.
Headed for Samford University next year, 5-10 Ellen Riggins may be the very definition of versatility. In both wins for Oakland she demonstrated the ability work on the block, from the high post and anywhere in between. There’s a solid build in place with decent size, lots of effort and some court instincts that are hard to find in most high school players. On the catch it’s obvious that she’s reading defenders and has a good feel for the options in front of her both in scoring or passing the ball. Her active movement without the ball in her hands challenges defenders and creates options for herself and teammates. She’s willing to get into the paint and does a solid job on the boards. The folks down in Birmingham should be very happy.
There’s not much left to be said or to write about Tyler Scaife now that’s she’s finally entered her senior season. However it’s hard not to mention her when you see the Rutgers signee step up in a big way to meet a challenge. Facing McEachern (Georgia) and the talented Copper girls (Te’a and Mia), Scaife provided a statement game with an aggressive and relentless attack that led her and her Hall teammates to surprisingly easy win. That kind of intense performance on a consistent basis is what is often what sets apart good and great players and the 5-8 seems to be gravitating towards the later.
Lots of things have changed down in Hoover, Alabama since last year but then again some things are still the same. Even with a new coach and some graduated seniors missing from the roster, the one thing you can always count on is the play of Vanderbilt signee Marques Webb. This 6-1 power forward only knows one way to play and that consistency is what made her a highly coveted prospect in the 2013 class. Webb’s approach is the same at both ends of the floor and well suited for the next level in general and the SEC specifically. Her effort to get the ball on the block creates not only looks for herself but occupies helpside defenders and offers cleaner looks to her penetrating teammates. On the catch she’s strong to the rim and willing to use her body in creating her shot. She’s comfortable in the high post and could even stand to look for her own options more often at the elbows. On the boards and defensively she’s a force and can impact a game with any opponent. Hoover still has loads of talent. Webb and fellow seniors will need to lead the way if they’re to make the most of it.
Youth Movement
While Winton Woods (Ohio) struggled with Riverdale in Sunday’s final game, their undersized forward Imani Partlow was raising some eyebrows among those in the stands. The junior is generously listed at 5-10 but plays a physical game that more than makes up for her lack of inches. Her broad frame and strength along with her willingness to put both to use make her an effective option inside for Coach Calvin Johnson. Partlow is efficient in converting off a teammate’s penetration or in her attack from the offensive boards. On the catch she can create her shot to a degree but is much more adept at taking what’s there rather than creating it. Once she adds more depth to her individual skill set she could be a nightmare if allowed to receive the ball around the rim. There’s a slight twist to her body on the perimeter shot but she connected from three point range once and had no hesitation from the 15 feet. There’s real potential in place with Partlow. It will be interesting to see what she does with it.
Another junior that had her share of moments was Shade’s Valley point guard Morgan William. The diminutive 5-4 buzz saw is an on ball defender’s worst nightmare. It’s tough enough to read the impressive use of her hesitation move, but add to that some NASCAR like acceleration and you’ve got some opponents scrambling to recover. William has a good grasp on the value of both a change of speed or direction and puts them to good use on the break and in halfcourt sets. She can get into traffic easily and does a sound job of reading and making decisions. The missing component is the consistent threat from the perimeter that will keep the close outs tight and allow her to attack and create. Any hope of getting to the rim will be negated if she can’t make them pay for taking a cushion. Her own defense is quick and assertive with the footspeed to turn opposing guards several times in the backcourt. Off the ball she anticipates well but tends to turn her back occasionally making her vulnerable to cutters.
There were several freshmen on hand that had the voices in the stands talking. Blackman point guard Crystal Dangerfield has already caught the attention of recruiters but those who have yet to see her will quickly join the chorus. Wishfully listed at 5-5, she’s quick and explosive both with and without the ball. While her ballhandling and constant attack are the first things that catch your eyes, her cutting away from the ball is something to pay attention to as well. When Dangerfield comes off a screen or simply cuts to the hole she’s putting all that speed and quickness to work and it often leads to easy looks or simpler passes. On the drive the pull up is there with elevation that more than compensates against taller match ups. She sees the floor well and isn’t hesitant to give it up but occasionally is a microsecond slow in doing so. All the tools are there to be a stout and aggressive on ball defender. Her lateral footspeed should allow her to become a premier stopper if she’ll embrace the role. The only limits may be any she puts on herself.
Oakland (Tennessee) is getting plenty from freshman post Shelby Gibson. At 6-3 she has the size and frame to play physically with anyone on the high school level and she seems to be willing to do so. She posts up with both an authority and understanding of what she’s looking for that most upperclassman have yet to grasp. When the ball comes her way she snaps it in with good hands and is quick to attack the rim. Her finish is reliable and she can take a hit and convert at the line. Gibson gets out and runs the floor and does a great job of looking for the high low on reversal after the break. Conditioning will be a key for her down the line in making the most of the potential in place but if the same effort is there that is on the floor it won’t be an issue. There are plenty of advanced aspects to her game at this point and with a great head start the future is up to her.
Quickhitters
Oakland – Lots of depth and youth to play with Riggins and Gibson. Emily Eubank (2014 – 5-8 combo) is a key impact player with lots of tools. Freshman sister Ansley (2016 – 5-5 point) bears watching down the road as well.
Blackman – Beyond Dangerfield keep an eye on Alex Johnson (2015 – 6-0 forward) and promising Jazz Bond (2016 – 6-3 forward).
Incarnate Word – Don’t overlook McKenna Treece (2014 – 6-3 forward/post)
Memphis Central – Kia Wooten (2014 – 5-11 forward) is looking lean, fit and fully recovered from her knee injury.
Riverdale – Olivia Jones (2013 – 5-8 swing) is inch for inch as good as you’ll find. Tyisha Petty (2013 – 5-5 point) is getting back to her penetrating ways. Both are headed to Middle Tennessee. Shelbie Davenport (2014 – 6-0 wing) is not someone you want to leave open. Brandy Ally (2014 – 6-0 forward) providing solid help off the bench.
Walnut Hills – Taylor Darks (2015 – 5-9 guard) has some nice skills and athleticism. She continues to expand her game, keep watching.
Bolingbrook – Emerging players to watch are Amarah Coleman (2014 – 5-8 guard) and Aysia Bugg (2014 – 5-8 guard). Both had some moments and will dig in and defend with the best of them.
McEachern – Too much talent to be playing as they did in Murfreesboro. Seemed passive and waiting for things to happen at times rather than “making” them happen.
Lee – Terra Lewis (2014 – 5-7 point) solid athlete that made some plays.
Hoover – Four Division I signees…Played well but should be playing much better. Hint, it’s not the coaching change.
Wilson Central – Dominique St. Louis (2014 – 6-0 forward) is an exceptional athlete. Some tools are there but needs a broader skill set.
Wooddale – Unsigned senior Teresa Mays (2013 – 5-7 point) had some strong play. What level could be determined as the year goes on.
