Mount Tabor tabbed No. 1 seed for Lash-Chronicle tournament
Photo by Craig T. Greenlee
Jaylan McMillon (4) delivers at both ends of the floor for West Forsyth.
BY CRAIG T. GREENLEE
FOR THE CHRONICLE
Mount Tabor got the nod as the top seed for the Lash-Chronicle JV Tournament, which tips off with six first-round games on Saturday at Carver High School. Being picked No. 1, how-ever, doesn’t mean that the Spartans are a lock to win it.
First-round winners will play in the quarterfinal round set for Dec. 19. Two days later, the teams that survive the quarterfinals will face off in a couple of semifinals match-ups. The championship game will be played on Dec. 22.
Based on early-season results, Mount Tabor (3-0 at the start of this week) is sure to face stiff challenges from several contenders in the 14-team field. No. 2 West Forsyth and No. 3 East Forsyth figure to have a final say as to which team will ultimately own the championship trophy.
In addition to the 12 public schools in Forsyth County, the tournament field includes Thomasville and Lexington. Of those two out-of-town schools, fifth-seeded Lexington is the most likely pull off a few surprises. The Yellow Jackets are deep and have an abundance of quick-ness to flourish in a fast-paced game.
One team to keep an eye on is Winston-Salem Prep, which has won three of the last four Lash-Chronicle tournaments. The Phoenix, which lost its first three games, hasn’t played up to its capability. Prep enters this year’s tournament as the No. 9 seed.
“We feel blessed to be picked as the No. 1 seed,” said coach Willie Harrison of Mount Tabor. “This gives us the opportunity to do some scouting and get a good look at possible opponents.
“But just because a team is No. 1 doesn’t mean that winning is automatic. You still have to play. So, we’re eager to get started and hopefully show that we deserve to be seeded No. 1 in the tournament. We know it won’t be easy. That’s why we’re not over-looking any team.”
Mount Tabor has the ability to play different styles, which bodes well for tournament play. The Spartans prime strength is in the paint with the trio of Dillon Bullard, Cole Foley and Duncan Smits. In the backcourt, Carson Anthis and Quest Aldridge provide stability and court savvy.
“We’ll run whenever the opportunity presents itself,” said Harrison. “But we can also slow it down and pound the ball inside. Across the board, this team is deep and we have several players who can several players who can play multiple positions.”
In recent history, West Forsyth has fared well in the Lash-Chronicle. Over the past four years, the Titans is the only team to have won a tournament title aside from Prep (2012). West Forsyth was the tournament runner-up a year ago. This year, the Titans appear to have the tools to make another strong push at advancing to the final round and winning.
West Forsyth won its first three games of the season with a lot of input from forward Kelvin Johnson, point guard JaQuan McMillian and wing play-er Jaylan McMillon, who has shown the potential to develop as a prime scoring threat and lock-down defender.
