Fred Horton helps Whitehaven repeat as district tournament champs in first year back from retirement

Khari Thompson
The Commercial Appeal

When Whitehaven was looking for a coach in the offseason, it brought the third-winningest coach in Shelby County history out of retirement.

But even with Fred Horton patrolling the sidelines, there were questions about whether  the Tigers could repeat as District 16-AAA tournament champions. But they did on Friday night, beating Central 82-70.

"A lot of people counted us out as a result of Matthew Murrell, Coach (Faragi) Phillips and the other big boy (7-foot-2 Jordan WiImore) leaving," Horton said. "I guess people were thinking, ‘What are they going to do now?’ But see I tapped into something, that these kids had to be let out of the cage. They had been in the cage for some time, you know, and I gave them the confidence to go play and they bought into my vision."

According to guard Jesse Payne, the "cage" is a metaphor for being in the shadow of Murrell, a 6-foot-4 Ole Miss signee who transferred to IMG Academy before the start of the season. Murrell led Whitehaven to last year's Class AAA semifinals and got most of the attention, but his departure gave this year's guards a chance to shine. 

"The offense was surrounded by one person," Payne said. "You know, Matthew is the man, he had to take his shots here, but now it's like everybody is feeding off of each other and the ball isn't sticking. Everybody is moving. That's how we're so successful right now."

The Tigers (24-3) unleashed a 3-point barrage in the second quarter that put them up 20 points and never gave up the lead Friday against Central.

Whitehaven boys basketball head coach Fred Horton on the sideline during a basketball game at Whitehaven High School on Friday, February 21, 2020.

"I’d rather trade threes for twos because eventually you’re going to win," Horton said. "A lot of teams when they make that run and knock down a couple of threes, that puts a dagger in your back and a lot of teams don’t know how to respond to a team of this caliber."

Alvin Miles scored 19 points and was named MVP of the tournament. Payne, Ragi Phillips and Kavion McClain were also in double-figures. 

With Phillips, Payne, Miles and McClain all 5-foot-11 or shorter, the Tigers' biggest disadvantage is their lack of size. But Horton has turned that into an advantage, creating mismatches with a four-guard lineup that highlights the team's quickness, ball movement and shooting ability. 

Whitehaven went 6-2 in the district, finishing second behind East.

"A lot of people try to take advantage of us think that we’re small, but our heart is big. All you have to do is rub that lamp," Horton said. "There’s a genie in every last one of these kids. You rub it right and that genie will come out and give you three wishes and we’ll be on our way."

The Tigers wear teams down with their pressing style on defense. On offense they're able to spread teams out and swing the ball efficiently, finding open threes and lanes to the basket. 

"It's so fun. Every just vibes off of each other. Ragi’s making shots, I’m making shots, Kavion and Alvin are making shots," Payne said. "It’s really five guards because (starting center) Devine (Owens) is a big guard. Everybody is sharing the ball. Coach Horton trusts us to make plays for each other and he gives us the freedom to make those plays."

Whitehaven will be the top seed from 16-AAA in the Region 8-AAA tournament and is set to play the No. 4 seed from 15-AAA at 7 p.m. on Saturday at home.