Yea J-State i remember that game and LANIER GOT CHEATED!
Hoops Mecca just 'Dandy'
Seven capital city basketball standouts lead the way for Dandy Dozen
By Bill Spencer
bspencer@clarionledger.com
It's one of the worst-kept secrets in Mississippi high school hoops.
Year in and year out, Jackson Public Schools teams keep college recruiters busy chasing talent.
This season looks to be especially outstanding, as an unprecedented seven JPS players ? led by Mr. Basketball Charlie White of Provine ? highlight The Clarion-Ledger Dandy Dozen boys basketball team for 2003-04.
The news hardly shocked Jim Hill's Fred Harris, the dean of JPS coaches who's in his 15th season with the Tigers.
"Really, it's not a surprise. This is a stellar year," Harris said. "I think we compare to any city in the nation in Jackson.
"Even going back to Othella Harrington and Ronnie Henderson (in the early 1990s), I don't think it has ever stopped. There may have been some years where you didn't have as many, but we've always had good players in Jackson."
If you ask Harris, there are several contributing factors that make JPS gyms veritable gold mines for talent scouts.
"The coaches do a good job of developing talent," Harris said. "The talent level is very high. The kids never stop playing. The kids see the reputation that Jackson has built up over the years and they start playing AAU ball at an early age.
"Last year, for example, they can see a Mo Williams on TV, and I think they really work hard to try to live up to those standards. As coaches, we definitely do our best to help them achieve those goals."
Bobby Clark, Callaway
A 6-foot-5 senior guard and Lanier transfer, Clark averaged 10.1 points, 3.5 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 2.2 steals. Clark, who played for the Chargers as a freshman and sophomore, has orally committed to Ole Miss. He is rated the nation's No. 96 senior by Hoop Scoop.
"Bobby has the same playing style as Ronnie Henderson ? slashing to the basket and shooting well from the outside," Callaway coach Robert Stewart said. "Bobby will be a shooting guard in college."
Monta Ellis, Lanier
A 6-3 junior guard, Ellis averaged 27.2 points, 5.1 rebounds, 5 assists and 3.1 steals for the Class 4A runner-up Bulldogs, 31-4. Ellis, who guided Lanier to a 4A state championship as a freshman, is rated the nation's No. 10 junior by The Sporting News.
"Monta does so many things on the court," Lanier coach Thomas Billups said. "He may be the most complete player I've ever coached. If Monta keeps going, I think he has a chance to be in the top three or four players in the nation next year. Monta will play the 2 in college, but he's really a combo guard."
Christian Marshall, Wingfield
A 6-9 senior center, Marshall averaged 19.5 points, 8.4 rebounds, 3.7 blocked shots and 2.5 assists for the Falcons, 21-9. He is considering Mississippi State, Alabama, LSU, Miami, Southern California and Texas.
"Christian runs the floor so well for his size and he can shoot the ball so well for a big man," Wingfield coach Herman Sanders said. "Last year, he had four 3-pointers against Jefferson County. He can play the 3, 4 or 5. He's very physical, too, and his ball-handling has improved a lot."
Charles Rhodes, Lanier
A 6-9 senior forward, Rhodes sat out last year due to academics and MHSAA sanctions after transferring from Forest, where he averaged 19.6 points and 11 rebounds as a sophomore. Rhodes, rated the nation's No. 53 senior by Hoop Scoop, has committed to Mississippi State.
"Charles is a combo between the 3, 4 and 5," Billups said. "He can run the floor, shoot the 3 and block shots. Once he gets down on the block, it's tough to stop him. He's got a spin move and a baby hook. Learning my system, he has a long way to go, but talent-wise, he's at the top."
Stanford Speech, Jim Hill
A 6-1 senior guard, Speech averaged 17.1 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.8 steals for the Tigers, 22-5. He is considering Jackson State, Mississippi State, Southern Miss and Alabama.
"Stanford shoots the ball extremely well," Harris said. "He can play the point or the wing. He's a very good ball-handler and he knows the game really well. That enables him to be a very good guard. I like his approach to the game. He's never out of control. Sometimes it looks like he's not playing hard, but actually he is."
Charles Thomas, Callaway
A 6-8 senior forward and Lanier transfer, Thomas averaged 14.1 points, 7.4 rebounds, 1.4 steals and 1.2 assists. Thomas, who played for the Chargers as a freshman and sophomore, has committed to Arkansas. He is rated the nation's No. 59 senior by Hoop Scoop.
"Charles impressed the college coaches at Nike Camp this summer with the way he ran the floor and with his outside shooting," Stewart said. "Charles can play inside or outside on offense. He's a leader on both ends of the floor."
Charlie White, Provine
A 5-10 senior guard, White averaged 14.5 points, 7 assists, 4 rebounds and 4 steals for the 4A state champion Rams, 26-5. White, who has committed to Mississippi State, is rated the nation's No. 70 senior by Hoop Scoop. He scored 23 points against Lanier in last year's 4A final.
"Charlie is a natural point guard," Provine coach Luther Riley said. "His floor leadership is solid. Charlie has poise in the tough games. He has the ability to stay calm. Charlie got stronger this summer as well.
"With him winning Mr. Basketball last year, everybody is gunning for him now. Every night, he has to play to the best of his ability."
