Continuing this series that I started last week, best fits for the class of 2024, I’m going to take a look at 5 more young guys and what high school I think would be a good fit for them.
Carson Boyle
Appling Middle had a really nice season this past season partly on the play Carson Boyle, a 6’1 forward who made strides this year. He seemed to thrive in situations where he could go score in transition and when they played faster. He has some tools that you like going towards high school that could make him a bigger guard if he stops growing now or a wing if he peaks at 6’4 6’5. Could Arlington be an ideal spot for him? He wouldn’t play a lot as a freshman but be groomed behind Anthony Medlock, a soon to be sophomore in a swing position, guard and forward. Cordova High School might be a good situation for him because I could see a little time there if things go as planned especially with them losing a few key guys off that team.
What’s the best fit for him thought? For me, it’s Bartlett High School. They are going to be young losing Rodney Mason, Jaylin Lucas and a few others so the opportunities are there to be a contributor right away for Coach Real. I think if he’s looking for some time on varsity, the Panthers might be his best bet but in terms of development as well, it’s a perfect spot for him.
Speaking of Bartlett, I hear they have another player who looks like a future d1 in Rashad Williams. At 6’6 now, Williams will be in a situation where he could be asked to play early and often in a league where he could become a major factor sooner rather than later. Bloodlines (son of former Depaul stand out Lance Williams) and brother of 2 players who play for the University of Memphis girls, the future projects well for him.
Braxton Jumper is one of the more offensively polished players in this class in the city. He’s grown to about 6’1 and has the makings of a combo guard on the high school level and a good one. He’s needs offensive freedom that will allow him to show his ability to play both spots as he gets more comfortable in his first year of high school basketball. For him, it will be finding a spot where he can learn and by his sophomore year, be ready to take the reigns and go. Could Southwind be a landing spot for him? He went to Lowrance but I’m not sure if they really looking into that for him. Collierville High School? Could a Darkhorse be Germantown? That’s where his older brother went but that is a much different program now than it was then. I would probably rule that out.
Best fit? Wooddale High School, offensive freedom, check the box, could play both spots there, check another box and I think it’s a great fit for him.
Stevelen Morris of White Station Middle hit a significant spurt this year which helped his play. I think he got more confident offensively and shouldered more of the scoring load for his team. Next year, like everyone I’ve spoken about as far as 2024 goes. He needs a school that won’t necessarily rely on him so much at first but take small steps in hopes of being ready by that 10th grade year. A spot where he can put in his hands on the ball some and maybe more as a point guardd if he doesn’t continue to grow. I’m gonna go on the private side and say maybe a school like ECS? On the city side, Central High School? I’m not sure if I see that but it may not be a bad fit. His best fit to me though is another team in 16AAA.
White Station High School seems like the logical spot for him. He just has that look of a future Spartan.
Julius “Trey” Goodwin missed part of the season last year but had some big moments this year for a team who won a state championship this year. I think he’s a bit slept on but he has a lot of talent. He’s a really good passer, understands angles and a playmaker for teammates from the point guard position. For him and other young point guard, it’s a numbers game. What do I mean by that? I talked about it a bit but not going to situation where there are 4-5 other guards all trying to see time at the same spot which is usually point guard. I think his best days are ahead him so I think he needs to see time early, maybe not as a 9th grader a lot but some time would help as he matures. I’ve heard some about City University as a spot and there, he would see a chance to get some run as a 9th grader. Overton High School a spot for him? It’s spot for young guys are going to now but is it a match for him and his game? His father attended there and played there so it’s something to keep an eye on but probably just that one eye, not both.
Best fit? I’m going the private route for him, FACS with Coach Dee Wilkes. Why? True, they have a lot of guards but Wilkes will be an 11th grade (Kobe) Corey Savage and TJ Thomas will all be juniors. 2 year gap and he could learn under them all and prepare him for the future when they’re on their way out.
