Prep basketball notebook: Gipson grows into starring role at MASE

Just like you can't judge a book by its cover, you can't judge a basketball player by looking at his parents.

Case in point, Arecko Gipson of Memphis Academy of Science and Engineering who may just be the best player you don't know about it.

"I thought I was going to be really short," he said. "My dad is like 5-10 and my mom is like 5-7. But my granddaddy was 6-3 and my other granddaddy was 6-6. I got it from my mom's side not my dad's side.

"Man, you can do a lot if you're tall."

At 6-3, Gipson was already tall by most standards when he began his career at MASE as a sophomore. But the senior has grown three inches since, while maintaining skills he had as a smaller player. It's the reason why schools like LSU, UMass, Tennessee-Martin and South Florida have offered and others like Memphis, Alabama and Georgetown are showing interest.

"He's the prototype," said coach and former University of Memphis star Marcus Moody.

"He's the prototypical wing player. Six-six, long and rangy. He can shoot; he can pass. The biggest thing is his slashing ability and his rebounding ability. He can get the rebound on the defensive end and push it down the court.

"He was always skilled. And his mentality and his body have caught up with each other at the same time. I definitely think he's the best player no one is talking about and I think his upside may be a little higher than some of the others."

Gipson averaged 21.4 points per game last season while leading MASE to a 20-8 record and its first trip to a region tournament. He then spent the summer playing for Team Penny and its cast of high-major prospects.

"I wasn't happy with my playing time but I understand that playing with D.J. (Jeffries) and Ryan (Boyce) and Chandler (Lawson) that they're going to get more exposure than me," he said.

"So I have to work harder than them. I know people don't know about me but I've put the work in. I've put the work in the last three years to be the best at basketball."

Moody said the entire team has put in some good work as well, which could mean that MASE takes their success even further this year. The Phoenix were the only Class A school ranked in the preseason Dandy Dozen.

Point guard Martez Cathey is a two-time first-team all district selection and will be joined in the backcourt by fellow senior Kobe Brassell. Karl Johnson, who sat out as transfer from Central last year, stands 6-8 and will combine with Gipson to give the Phoenix height not often seen in Class A.

"The thing I love about this team is that we push the ball and believe in each other," said Johnson.

Added Cathey, "It's gold ball or bust."

Cordova hosts Renee Scales Classic

Cordova High will host the fourth Renee Scales Lupus Foundation Classic Friday and Saturday.

On Friday, the Wolves girls' team will face Douglass at 6 p.m. followed by the boys at 7:30 p.m. Saturday's action starts with Brighton girls against MHEA at 3 p.m. followed by Cordova girls against Ashland (Miss.) at 4:30 p.m. Brighton's boys face Whites Creek at 6 followed by Cordova and Ashland at 7:30 p.m.

The event is held in the memory of the wife of Cordova boys coach Terrance Scales, who died from the disease which can affect any organ in the body and causes a wide range of symptoms.

Ex-Jaguar Williams honored

Former Southwind star Johnathan Williams has been named West Coast Conference player of the week after leading Gonzaga to a third-place finish at the PK80 Invitational in Portland over the weekend.

The 6-9 senior averaged 22.3 points on 64.3 percent shooting to go along with 7.0 rebounds and 2.0 blocks as the Zags went 2-1 to place third in the Motion Bracket. His best game came in a 111-105 double overtime loss to Florida. He scored a career-best 39 (16 of 22 from the floor) to go along with 12 rebounds.

Chris Chiozza, who starred at White Station, was one of the heroes for the Gators in that one, scoring a career-high 26 points to go along with eight rebounds and 10 assists. Fourteen of the senior's points came after regulation.

Reach John Varlas at john.varlas@commercialappeal.com or on Twitter @johnvarlas.