Hamilton Heights guard Shai Alexander committed to the University of Kentucky.The Hamilton Heights Christian Academy boys' basketball team will play another one of the highest-ranked prep teams in the nation tonight when it faces Memphis East at Southwind High School in Memphis, but fans who can't make the trip still have the opportunity to see the Hawks in action.
The game, which tips off at 9 p.m. EST, is the first of ESPN's high school basketball broadcasts for this season and will air on ESPN2.
Memphis East, which is coached by former NBA All-Star Penny Hardaway and won the TSSAA Class 3A state title last season, is ranked No. 3 nationally in the CBS/Maxpreps rankings for state-associated schools. Hamilton Heights, ranked No. 5 nationally among independent schools and the reigning National Association of Christian Athletes Division I national champion, is led by NCAA Division I signees Nickeil Alexander-Walker (Virginia Tech), Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Kentucky) and Therren Shelton-Szmidt (Middle Tennessee State).
Hamilton Heights coach Zach Ferrell described the excitement regarding the game in a school release: "Memphis East is one of the best teams in the country, and it should be exciting for Memphis and the state of Tennessee to be able to watch two of the top teams match up head to head. What Memphis East and Penny Hardaway have done over the last few years for the city of Memphis is incredible, not only on the court but off the court as well. It is an honor to have this opportunity, and we are excited about the matchup."
- Tennessee Wesleyan University split an Appalachian Athletic Conference doubleheader Wednesday night at Bluefield (Va.) College, with the TWU men winning 83-57 and the Lady Bulldogs falling 62-53. In the men's game, Lenny Pradia had 14 points, four assists and two steals to pace TWU (6-2, 4-0), while Kenny Dean added 13 points and Johnson Decembre and Aundre Reid chipped in 10 apiece. Tre Tiller had nine points, six rebounds, five steals, three assists and two blocks, and Will Gardner grabbed 12 rebounds for the Bulldogs, who led 41-21 at halftime and finished the game with a 46-26 edge on rebounds. With 12 points, Cordaris Townes was the only scorer in double figures for Bluefield (5-8, 2-1). In the women's game, Hunter Simpson led TWU (4-6, 2-2) with 19 points and six rebounds and was the only Lady Bulldog who scored in double figures, though Savannah Atkins and Kenzie Conn each registered nine points. The Lady Bulldogs led 15-14 at the end of the first quarter, but it was 30-all at halftime and Bluefield (5-5, 1-3) outscored TWU 11-7 in the third quarter for a 41-37 edge entering the final period, when the Lady Rams went 8-for-8 at the foul line to finish 9-for-10 for the game. Hannah Preservati scored 16 points with five assists and Whitney Smith added 14 points for Bluefield, which won for the first time in three games.
- Bryan College split an AAC doubleheader Wednesday night at Allen University in Columbia, S.C. The Lady Lions won 88-61 to improve to 2-5 overall and 1-3 in the conference, while the Lions lost 87-86 and fell to 1-9, 0-4. Both Bryan teams return to the court Saturday at Bluefield.
- The Dalton State College men beat visiting Hiwasee College 92-69 Wednesday night in an exhibition game between the National Christian College Athletic Association program from Madisonville, Tenn., and the NAIA Division I Roadrunners of northwest Georgia. Sayvon Wilson had 15 points to lead six DSC scorers in double figures; Isaiah Box and Reed Dungan each had 14, Camillous Simmons had 12 to go with 11 rebounds, five steals, four assists and three blocks, J'Quayveon Williams added 11 and Mon'Darius Black had 10. For Hiwassee, Ben Snider scored 13 and Dess Culpepper 11.