Shelby-Metro dominated the all-state teams that were announced on April 5.
One Class AAA all-state member was Brett Warner of Collierville. Warner, who has committed to play at Delta State University, was the Dragons’ leading scorer, averaging 24.3 points per game. He scored 655 points for the season and had 59 3-point field goals and hit 71 percent of free throws. He had seven games of scoring 30 or more points and scored a season-high 38 against Southwind. He is a 6-2, 195-pound senior point guard. A team captain, he was All-District 15-AAA and all-district tournament.
• Boys Class A All-State from the Memphis area:
Jeremiah Martin (Mitchell), Naba Echols (Mitchell), Tyree Beason (BTW), Jordan Brown (Middle College),
In Class AA, Kaleb McKinnie, a 5-10, 170-pound senior point guard from Bolivar Central, was all-state. He averaged 13.1 points per game, 4.2 assists, 2 rebounds, 1.1 steals and hit 63 of 177 three-pointers through 28 games and 77 of 104 free throws. He was named first team All-District 14-AA and Powerade Athlete of the Month and The County Journal of Bolivar Player of the Week four times. He was also on the all-district tournament team and chosen Mr. Bolivar Central High School. He was a cornerback and receiver on the football team and plays on the baseball team.
From Craigmont, Teverette Cain.
After quarterbacking Bartlett High School to the state playoffs, Jonathan Bowlan led the Panthers to the Region 7-AAA basketball tournament. He has been recognized for his efforts.
Averaging 20 points and 11 rebounds per game, Bowlan (6-6, 205 pounds) has been named to the Tennessee Sports Writers Association 2015-15 Class AAA All-State basketball team.
A center and senior captain, Bowlan was first team All-District 14-AAA. In football he was the district offensive player of the year. He has signed a baseball scholarship to play for the University of Memphis.
Along with Bowlan in Class AAA, all-state players included Donte Dorsey (Southwind), Dedric Lawson (Hamilton), K.J. Lawson (Hamilton), Khalil Spencer (Ridgeway), Jaylen Fisher (Bolton), Nych Smith (White Station).
Houston High’s Marlon Hunter was all-state. The 6-3, 205-pound senior forward averaged 22 points per game, 9 rebounds and 4 steals. He was All-District 15-AAA and named to the all-district tournament team. He has committed to play basketball at Western Kentucky University. He led the Mustangs to a 24-9 record.
Tennessee’s Mr. Basketball in Division 2-Class A, Justin Wertner of St. George’s was all-state. A 6-5, 190-pound senior center, he averaged 18.4 points per game for the Gryphons, who won the 2015 state championship. Wertner shot 44 percent from the field, 36 percent from three-point range and 91 percent of free throws. He scored more than 1,000 career points and holds school records for most three-point field goals and best free-throw percentage. He was named to the all-state tournament team, all-district, all-district tournament. He has committed to play basketball at the University of California-Irvine after finishing a two-year missionary assignment with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. He is an Eagle Scout. Last year as a junior, he was a finalist for Mr. Basketball and he was named to The Commercial Appeal’s Best of the Preps team.
His teammate Chase Hayden was also named all-state. Hayden, who was a finalist for Mr. Football Offense during the 2014 season, played point guard for St. George’s. The 5-11, 175-pound sophomore point guard averaged 16 points a game, 7 assists, 5 rebounds and 2 steals. He was the MVP of the state tournament and region tournament. He average 23.6 points per game during the state tournament.
Marcus Lytle (ECS) and Anthony Yarbrough (Harding Academy) and Will Howell of Fayette Academy were also all-state.
Howell was the glue that held the Vikings together. A 6-0, 175-pound senior point guard, Howell is a multi-sport athlete. He was the Vikings Offensive Player of the Year in football. He was captain of the basketball team and named a MaxPreps player of the game several times during the season. He averaged 7 points, 3.7 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 1.6 steals per game and had 8 blocks. His leadership was vital for a freshman and sophomore-dominated team. He was named Most Athletic at Fayette Academy and has a 3.02 GPA.
In Division 2-AA all-state area players were Micah Thomas (Briarcrest), Frederick Douglas (CBHS), William Douglas (CBHS), Will Hrubes (Briarcrest), Undra Wilson (CBHS).
Making the girls’ all-state teams in Class A included Derenisha Taylor (Mitchell), Averyale Joy of state champion Middeton which finished 35-0,
Class AA: Gazmyne Herndon (Douglass), Danielle Conley (Craigmont).
Class AAA: Brandi Beasley (Ridgeway), Charity Savage (Bartlett), Eryn Foster (Ridgeway), Emanye Robertson (White Station), Jaida Roper (Houston).
Division 2-Class A: Kaylan Pugh (St. Mary’s), Emily Lytle (ECS),Antoinette Lewis (Hardin).
Division 2-Class AA: Brynn Holden (Briarcrest), Elise Holden (Briarcrest).
