LifeLong: I'm guessing you a. live in Memphis and b. follow Briarcrest (call me Captain Obvious). I graduated from CBHS. I haven't really followed much of the HS basketball here, but recently heard about some of the successes of some of the private school programs. I heard that CBHS v. Briarcrest game was a good one to attend. How good are both teams? From some of the people I've talked to they say that Briarcrest's starting 5 is very good, but that if they have to go to their bench for extended periods of time then they are in trouble. True? Any info you have on my alma mater would be appreciated as well, thanks!
Yeah, I'm with the Briarcrest basketball team so that's how I get all the stats.
I would say the people you talked to are correct. Our starting 5 is arguably one of the best in Memphis. The problem is, I think we have only started them all together one time this season (in 21 games). Elgin Lee was suspended for the first 11 games. Jake McCrary has missed 2 games going on football visits, 5 games with injuries, and 2 more with suspensions.
The bench doesn't do any scoring whatsoever. They are simply there to play defense, take care of the ball, and give the ball to the playmakers. Last night, we scored 71 points and beat MUS by 17. We only had four players score (McDonald, Wooten, Williams, Lee).
CBHS is ranked #3 in the state, so losing Chris Walker didn't affect them any. I don't know when you graduated so you may not know who I'm talking about, but Caldwell Starnes probably averages 8 boards per game, mostly offensive boards. Brad Luckett is the same type player, just with a little more perimeter game. Martin Mitchell, the PG, can score at will almost. His pull up jumper can't be stopped. Alex Presley and Drew Barham can make shots from anywhere on the floor, no joke. Their bench is the same as BCS. They are really there to play defense.
Briarcrest won at CBHS in overtime in the first game, but there is no doubt in my mind that CBHS can play with anybody in the state.
Right now, the top 3 teams in the state are (in order according to the AP poll): St. George's, Briarcrest, CBHS.
St. George's beat CBHS on a last second shot last week. Elliot Williams (Duke signee) left the game with a serious knee injury when they were down 12, and somehow came back and won without him. So there isn't much that seperates those three teams. The state champion has to come from those three teams.
I'll be glad to answer any more questions you got about these teams.