The motto “No struggle, no story” is very befitting of the Tyner Academy boys’ basketball program.
When a passionate 27-year-old E’Jay Ward took over the Rams in 2017, after helping assist Brainerd to a runner-up finish in the 2016 TSSAA Class 2A finals, the start of a promising new era began for Tyner.
Ward set a strong standard for his new program by advancing to the state tournament in his first season. However, tragedy struck just a few months after a joyous debut season as rising junior star Javon Craddock shockingly passed away while playing a pickup game.
Through that massive heartbreak, the players and coaches that make up the Tyner program became closer, even referring to their athletic teams as “Ramily” in the last few seasons.
Since Craddock’s passing, his No. 2 jersey has only been worn by one player – Rodney Henderson III.
Henderson shined immediately, scoring 21 points in his freshman debut to jumpstart an unbelievable prep career. The smooth and explosive left-handed guard is one of only two players in Rams history to score more than 2,000 points and be a Mr. Basketball finalist. The other is former Rams star Geoff Herman Sr., who was the driving force as a senior in Tyner’s lone state finals appearance in 1990, where they finished runners-up to Science Hill.
A fitting close to a storied career for Henderson will come this week during the BlueCross Basketball Class 2A state tournament at Middle Tennessee State University where Tyner (28-6) will face Memphis Business Academy (23-9) in Wednesday’s quarterfinals.
“We are excited to be at the “Glass House” again and understand what is at stake,” Ward said. “We know how it feels to be at home after losing to Alcoa in substate the previous two years. We have a unique opportunity and want to be the team to start a new trend at Tyner, especially going into our new school building.
“What will make the biggest difference is just being together through adversity. At some point this week at the state tournament, we are going to come face to face with adversity. It’s just a matter of if you can stay together as a team and overcome anything thrown your way.”
The Rams enter the Murphy Center with tremendous momentum as they have won 17 straight games and 21 of their last 22 with their only loss during that stretch coming to Bradley Central in the last seconds of the Best of Preps championship.
Bradley Central will make its first state tournament appearance since 2007 on Thursday by opening against Memphis East in the Class 4A quarterfinals. Walker Valley also plays in Thursday’s 4A quarterfinals, facing an Oak Ridge team that comes in riding a 20-game win streak.
All six of Tyner’s losses this season have come well out of its classification, which includes four losses to Division II-AA opponents. In just the second game of the season, the Rams fell 63-60 to Knox Webb, which went on to win the DII-AA state title.
“A lot to this has to do with Rodney Henderson,” said Ward, who has a 181-60 record at Tyner with three state tournament appearances. “He has been driven to get back to the state tournament, especially after missing it the last two years. Our guys believe we have a good shot at winning a state title. These boys want to do something that has never been done before.”
The last time a Hamilton County public school won a state championship above Class 1A was Brainerd in 1992. Cleveland in 1997 was the area’s last public school to win a boys’ state title in a class larger than 1A.
Henderson and company look to add a significant chapter to the history books this weekend. One which they hope ends with a win, ear-to-ear smiles and a gold ball trophy.
“I think a lot of people are paying attention to us,” Ward said. “We have been good all year long. A lot of people in the community want to see us do good. We are going to cherish these last three games and hopefully get there on Saturday. We want to make sure our seniors have the best finish they can have.”
For a player with an unbeatable work ethic like Henderson’s, ending his career in the “Glass House” is only fitting before he heads off to Freed-Hardeman University to continue his playing career.
“I was taught to take pride in everything I do,” said Henderson, who has 12 20-point games this season, including three with 28 or more. “My pops explained to me at an early age to not cheat my fans. Some might use their last couple of dollars to see me play, so I take pride in that every time I step foot on the court. I literally live in the gym.”
Contact Patrick MacCoon at pmaccoon@timesfreepress.com.
Staff photo by Matt Hamilton / Tyner Academy coach E’jay Ward talks to Tyner’s Rodney Henderson during a region tournament game during Henderson’s sophomore season.