Audio
- Dave Hooker interviews Bobby Maze about Courtney Pigram’s big night
- Dave Hooker interviews Tony White Jr. about his play in the Rocky Top League
- Dave Hooker interviews Tyler Smith about Wednesday night’s overtime game
- Dave Hooker interviews Cameron Tatum about his improvement
- Dave Hooker interviews Scotty Hopson about overtime and going against Tyler Smith
Tyler Smith and Scotty Hopson of Tennessee supplied a variety of crowd-pleasing jams Wednesday at the Pilot Rocky Top League, but UT's Bobby Maze and East Tennessee State's Courtney Pigram were the bread and butter players in the end.
Pigram hit two contested 3-point buzzer beaters - a 36-footer at the end of regulation and another in overtime - to lift the HT Group to a 131-128 win over Ray's ESG.
A packed gym at Bearden High School gave the teams a standing ovation, at halftime and after the game.
"I don't know who that kid is,'' said Maze, who had six assists and scored a game-high 47, including all eight of Ray's in OT, "but he can really shoot.''
Pigram, an Atlantic Sun Conference Player of the Year, was a projected second-round NBA pick, but elected to return to ETSU.
"I'm used to having the last shot,'' said Pigram, a former standout at Memphis White Station who signed with Louisville but ended up at ETSU after failing to qualify. "Maze - he's a good player and competitor. He was all over me on those shots.''
Maze was 17-of-29 shooting and 11-of-16 from the free throw line. Pigram had 45 points, 17-of-29 from the floor, and 11-of-12 beyond the 3-point arc including 3-of-3 in overtime.
The 6-foot-7 Smith, a rising junior, had 29 on 14-of-21 shooting and 12 rebounds for HT Group (2-0), while the 6-7 Hopson, an incoming freshman and McDonald's All-American, scored 33 on 13-of-29 shooting (6-of-7 at the free throw line) and 13 rebounds for Ray's (1-1).
"That was intense,'' said Hopson, who struggled early with Smith guarding him before getting loose. "Everybody was keying on me and Tyler's matchup, and we wanted to give the fans a show.''
Smith was impressed with Hopson.
"Scotty showed he can play,'' Smith said. "Everybody showed something tonight, and nobody wanted to lose.''
Incoming UT freshman point guard Daniel West had 15 points and 10 assists for HT Group, while teammate Michael Jenkins, from Walters State, had 23 points.
© 2008, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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Comments » 34
VolPride_13 writes:
Looks like we found ourselves a Point Guard, people!!!
wyomingvol writes:
Saweeeeeeeet....
IBleedOrange444 writes:
Looks like we found ourselves two. I like seeing that West pulled out a double double and Maze dropping in 47! That's nice.
ZR writes:
Pearl should got that boy from ETSU so they'll have somebody on the team that knows how to make it past the quarter finals in a tournament. Hell he may even know how to win a conference tournament.
Will Filmer beat Florida before Pearl makes it past the Sweet 16?
knoxnewsuser writes:
Maze is ready to play in the SEC right now, D. West is going to need some work. How's this for a starting 5, PG- Maze, SG- Tatum, SF- Hopson, PF-Smith, C- Chism
MrBamSeydu writes:
knoxnewsuser: that's right except Hopson will be the 2 guard and JP will most likely start over Tatum at the 3 spot.
b_neas writes:
I disagree Tatum will start over Prince. Prince is the first guy off the bench, filling in at SG or SF. Tatum is better on offense and as good on defense. He may not see the floor as well as Prince, but he is a lot more athletic with more potential.
memphistenn2117 writes:
You moron's...there is no defense in that type of game, but I'm sure the vols fans go crazy over anyone who can possibly get them past the sweet sixteen for the FIRST TIME EVER. That dude couldn't even cut it at Oklahoma. Go take a look at ESPN.com...I think Lunardi has Memphis picked somewhere...oh yeah, another 1 seed...I think I saw Tennessee pre-season 17 or something. We will just have to wait and see how many more vols will get thrown off the team before the season starts...Ramar and Duke were upstanding citizens of the Knoxville community hahaha
VolGraduate writes:
ZR: Florida goes down this year in Knoxville...
b_neas writes:
Hey at least when our kids do not meet the standards of the program they get the boot. Unlike Cal who slaps them on the hand, but thats only if they are a bench player. If they are a star their punishment is only getting two slices of pizza instead of 3. At least we hold out kids accountable, unlike other programs. By the way whats Cal's record vs. Pearl again? We may not go deep in the tourney as we are still building (Rome was not built in a day) but we own you guys head to head.
bleed_orange writes:
I guess, full court press, half court traps, switching man to man and probally some zone this year too-no that's not defense. Not to mention the big orange will be crashing the boards as well. I just hope that Tatum & Prince work on their foul shots this summer. Cameron shot 50%- last year when he did shoot free throws. However, I think we will match well again with Memphis. TN will win by 10+, beacuse they are playing at home. Memphitenn2117, who do you think will be Memphis 1st & 2nd strings at each postion? I think TN will be: 1st string-PG 6-3 Maze, SG 6-7 Hopson, SF 6-7 JP Prince, PF 6-7 Smith, C 6-9 Chism and 2nd string-PG 6-1 West, SG 6-4 Tabb, SF 6-6 Tatum,,PF Negedu,C 6-10 Williams. Not to mention the 3rd string-SG 6-5 Pearl, SF 6-8 Woolridge, PF 6-9 Childress, C 6-11 Jurick, Oh, I forgot either Tanner or Quin at 3rd string PG. GO VOLS!
abnermc writes:
Kingsport, I'll take a loss to Fla. every year as long as we end up in Atl.Although I hope we can beat Fla this year, would be tickled w/ 11-1.
bleed_orange writes:
The SEC East will be the best division again this year in the Conference. TN, FL, KY, and Vandy will probally all make the NCAA with 1 or 2 teams from the SEC West. I TN will win the SEC again, but it will not be easy. I think TN will again at least make the Sweet 16 or maybe this is the year to go to the eilite 8 or Final 4. However, I know it is almost UT Football time; I'm still more excited about UT Basketball and its future. I wish I could make it up for 1 night of the Rocky Top League, but I can't. I will just read about it on here. GO VOLS!
TnVolFaninSmyrna writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
Volumnus writes:
That game was lost by Ray's because of defense, when Pigram burned them on the buzzer, and the coach left the HS kid from TX on the bench and let Pigram burn them again it amounted to a loss. The kid was on Oglesby Monday night like super glue. Oglesby could not touch the ball when he was on him. The coach had him with fresh legs and he is reputed to be a defensive purist. Maze and Hopson were going to take the shots anyway, it was pretty evident they weren't passing the ball, so why not roll the dice and see if the kid could slow up Pigram, NO ONE ELSE DID! Even if the kid fouled him 5 times he can only get 2 points at the line. Oh and why not foul Tyler Smith holding the ball for 10 seconds at the end of overtime. I know it is pick up ball and I know the tickets are free, but it is still supposed to be a high level of game.
The lady beside me had seen TX kid play and was blowing a gasket as Pigram was shooting lights out un-impeded. Super Stars are great, but every once in a while you need a blue collar player to get a DEFENSIVE STOP.
b_neas writes:
How, or why, is a high schooler from Texas in K'town playing summer ball? Is UT recruiting him? Thought this was for local kids.
Volumnus writes:
When I saw him play Monday night I noticed that on the roster, so last night when the lady said she had seen him play or knew of him, I asked the same question. She said he was up here every summer with family. Works on his offensive game with someone here and stays with family.
dfreeman writes:
chkrbrd - That's too funny! Good grief the Memphis fans have PeN!s envy don't they? I hope we beat em' by 65 next year! I think I saw the new bumper sticker they hand out to the Memphis players. It's SuperFly slogan "she (can't use the right word) betta have my money!" Cause if she don't they'll give her the Dorsey two slap and head to the Plush!!!
jhayes1911 writes:
I don't think the Memphis fans know what they have coming! It's not just the Memphis fans on here worrying, my frat brothers from Memphis are on our email list serv worrying as well! They are going to step in some s*** they can't get off their shoes!
overatedvols writes:
Pearl for president. Vols ncaa champs for the next 10 years!!!!!!!!!!
dfreeman writes:
Now you got it overated! LOL I'd like to start with the first though!!
LadyVolsEighTimes writes:
Chkrbrd, that was funny, and the very reason I rarely correct spelling. Nothing like posting, "Hey Morun, you speeled that wrong!"
CBP would make a terrible President, he would try to fix things, tell the truth, develope a strong economey, really build up our Defense, and have a lighting fast Military that would strike quickly and destroy our enemies, and last but not least he would make sure that everyone had a ticket or they didn't get in the Country. I also think he would have a significant problem with the Middle East they don't "appreciate the Jewish faith", so President Pearl would have to put a Full Continent Press on them,,pick them up just as they come outta Tehran.
bowerst#242774 writes:
Last time I looked, Pearl kicked Memphis butt all over their own gym, and with 0 blue chip players. Guess what Memphis? We got better players now, a much better coach and you're coming up here to get stomped!
When you play in the cream puff league it's easy to be a 1-seed. Cal can't handle real competition. He coached Tiger High right out of a national title. What a waste of money after all those NBA players you guys bought.
TurboFan writes:
volumnus, I assume you are talking about Cole Clabough? I can't find anything on him on the internet. I assume you have to be 18 to play in this league. Which means he wasn't recruited for college ball somewhere? How do you get into RTL anyway? Invitation? Show up and sign up? Tryout?
Volumnus writes:
Turbofan, #14 is his number. Did not remember his name, just noted he played hard on Oglesby. Don't know his status, but I got the impression from the lady that he was still in HS. Don't know how you get to the RTL.
dfreeman writes:
TouchdownTennessee - They mopped the floor with us last year yes, but they beat us by only one the year before! Losing to them still stinks no matter how good or bad!
rptatum#635174 writes:
Why are some thinking that Hopson will start. Is it just because he's a McD AA. I don't know that he's that much better than the players at the two or three we already have.
overatedvols writes:
"I'm used to having the last shot,'' said Pigram, a former standout at Memphis White Station who signed with Louisville but ended up at ETSU after failing to qualify. "
Used to having the last shot ..hmm.. sounds like trouble to me..
Failed to qualify at Louisville? Hmm.. now he's at Tenn..hmm.. Isn't this type of thing what you say about Memphis?
dfreeman writes:
overstayed - If you learn to read, in the article it says that Pigram is at EAST Tenn State University. Maybe it's easier if I just said ETSU! It's ok though you can't help it, being in the genes and all!!! LOL
overatedvols writes:
Oh......nevermind.
Sorry about that dfreeman. I haven't been reading too much on the 'rocky top league'. I thought he was a etsu student transferring to UT.
Well..everybody is allowed one mistake in their life. Guess that's mine.
Still, Tigers no. 1 in the state.
VOLS85 writes:
CBS just released a poll, has the Vols in the top 10...no surprises there...
http://www.sportsline.com/collegebask...
dfreeman writes:
overstayed - LOL You are right about being able to make mistakes! Your mistake wasn't saying he was going to UT. Your mistake was thinking that Memphis was No. 1 in the state! They were good, but they couldn't beat us and they won't this year either! I do look forward to the back and forth though!
bricker865 writes:
Mempiss fans...sorry you have to come to our site to reassure yourselves about your own program. Pretty sad indeed. P.S. I've never visited your site or any other fan's site. (STG)....I have better things to do with my time.
knoxvegas75 writes:
check this out Boby Maze is so gangster!!!!!
"I put on for Tennessee"
http://loserswithsocks.com/2008/06/21...
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