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As the regular season quickly winds down and postseason play approaches, it’s only natural to think about who will end up bringing home the season’s biggest awards.
That includes this year’s slate of Mr. Basketball awards.
Nominations for this year’s awards came to an end on Saturday and in the next few weeks, we’ll learn who this year’s finalists are.
Before that happens, I wanted to take a look at who I think from each class will end up as this year’s winners. Here are the six names I decided on:
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Class 4A
Jett Montgomery, Independence
There are a lot of great 4A players in the state and for me, this selection came down to Montgomery and Siegel standout Carter Webb. I ultimately decided to go with Montgomery but I think Webb is the heavy favorite to win it next season.
Montgomery’s one of the most prolific scorers I’ve had the honor of covering down here and this season he’s at his best. No longer just a threat from outside, the Southern Miss signee can and will score from every level.
I think Independence makes a run back to the state tournament thanks to Montgomery’s play.
Honorable mention: Carter Webb, Siegel
Class 3A
Cade Capps, Stone Memorial
Capps is a bucket. Plain and simple.
He’s averaging close to 30 points per game in what is one of the state’s best 3A districts, so there’s no denying the quality of competition. Class 3A seems like a bit of an open field on the championship side of things this year but I’d be shocked if Capps didn’t win Mr. Basketball.
Honorable mention: Trey Thompson, Greeneville
Class 2A
Jahvin Carter, Alcoa
It’s a three-player race this year in Class 2A between Carter, Austin-East’s Shane Cherry, and Gatlinburg-Pittman’s Ty Glasper. All three are averaging over 25 points per game and all three are more than deserving of the award.
Give me the guy going to the Big Ten.
The Penn State signee has been electric all year once again and could make a run back to the 2A title if everything goes right.
Honorable mention: Shane Cherry, Austin-East
Class 1A
Malaki Brooks, Union City
This was by far the hardest choice for me as there are several players in 1A this season averaging more than 33 points per game. However, I decided to go with a guy likely averaging less than each of those guys.
Brooks is by far no slouch on the court and while he’s not averaging 35 a game like some others, he’s hovering around 30 on a Golden Tornadoes team that’s played arguably the hardest schedule in 1A this year.
Quality of competition matters to me and with Brooks doing what he’s done against the likes of Hamilton Heights, Dyer County, and Melrose, I’ll give him the Mr. Basketball nod.
Honorable mention: Auden Slaughter, Santa Fe
Division II-A
Jayden Jones, Goodpasture
Jones has been a standout since his freshman year and is arguably playing his best basketball right now. A double-double machine, he stands out to me in a loaded DII-A field here in Middle Tennessee.
I think several good players in the area could end up winning this year’s award. However, out of all the ones I’ve seen this year, Jones gets the slight nod from me.
Honorable mention: Kavien Jones, BGA
Division II-AA
Tyler Tanner, Brentwood Academy
By far the easiest choice on this list for me.
There are a lot of great players in DII-AA this season but Tanner just stands out with his ability on both ends of the court. It’s a shame for Vanderbilt fans that he’s not there this year as Tanner would likely already be running the point for the Commodores.
How he didn’t win last year’s Mr. Basketball award is beyond me, but there should be absolutely no doubt this year.
Honorable mention: Fred Bailey, Pope Prep
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