Marlin Christmas Classic team capsules

Area Glass Marlin Christmas Classic capsules

Bartram Trail Bears

• Coach: Chris Phelps
• Location: St. Johns
• Class: 5A
• Record: 2-6
• Leaders: Ryan Irish, Hayden Johnson, Eric Oram, Justin Rohloff, Matt Sutton, Shaq Williams.
• Marlins classic history: Third in 2008.

Columbia Central Lions

• Coach: Hal Murrell, 17th year
• Location: Columbia, Tenn.
• Class: 3A (out of 3)
• Record: 6-2
• Leaders: James English (15 ppg, 5 apg) Dominique Parks (8 rpg)
• Other standouts: Sophomore Jarvis Webster shows a promising future as he has been part of several college elite camps.
• Marlin classic history: First tournament.
• Notable and quotable: “We are on a six-game win streak. We are a very athletic team and we believe we have several guys that will play at the next level.” — Hal Murrell

Foley Lions

• Coach: Chad Anderson, first year
• Location: Foley, Ala.
• Class: 6A (out of 6)
• Record: 3-5
• Leaders: Marcus Washington (17 ppg), Michael Holmes (11 ppg), Malcolm Barnett (11 ppg)
• Marlin classic history: First tournament.
• Notable and quotable: Anderson is 24 years old … There are three seniors and six juniors on the roster. “We’re really just learning how to get after it. We’re very inexperienced as far as organized ball.” —Chad Anderson

Franklin Rebels

• Coach: Jay Johnson
• Location: Franklin, Tenn.
• Class: 3A (Out of 3)
• Record: 9-2
• Leaders: Debrell McLemore (22 ppg), Braden Mathews (12 ppg, 11 rpg)
• Other standouts: Danny Kibler (10ppg).
• Marlin classic history: First tournament.
• Notable and quotable: Won 2008 Bay Barnstorm Christmas Classic … The Rebels lost five starters to graduation. “We’ve done the Barnstorm the last two years and I just wanted to go to a new gym, different school, play some different teams.” — Jay Johnson

Hopkinsville Tigers

• Coach: James Simmons, fourth year
• Location: Hopkinsville, Ky.
• Class: 5A (out of 6)
• Record: 8-3
• Leaders: Darnell Davis (15 ppg, 10 rpg), Brayon Mason (15 ppg, 5 apg), Leon Swope (14 ppg).
• Other standouts: Jarmarius Bussell (12 ppg), Conner Gates (10 ppg).
• Marlin classic history: First tournament.
• Notable and quotable: Davis has received interest from Division I schools. “We can play different styles. We can get down the court, push the ball or slow it down and get the shots I want. As soon as we can better control that, I think we can be pretty good.” — James Simmons

Marshall County Marshals

• Coach: Gus Gillespie
• Location: Benton, Ky.
• Class: 6A (out of 6)
• Record: 7-0
• Leaders: Tanner Wilson (11 ppg), Blake Clark (11 ppg), Andrew Edwards (6 rpg), Steven Atkins (6 rpg).
• Marlin classic history: Won 2008 tournament.
• Notable and quotable: Play an eight-man rotation … lost five seniors to graduation. “We’re a totally different team. Hopefully we’ll play well enough to win that first game and get in the semis.” — Gus Gillespie

Niceville Eagles

• Coach: Jerome Strutchen, fourth year
• Location: Niceville
• Class: 5A
• Record: 10-1
• Leaders: Steve Dyson (13 ppg), Kirk Perry Jr.  (12 ppg), Hunter Curtis (11 ppg).
• Other standouts: A.J. Tillman, Kyle Koszuta, Matt Cooper, Shane Horton, Alex Brand, John Deloach.
• Marlins classic history: Won 2007 tournament.
• Notable and quotable: Four players were on Niceville’s state runner-up football team. “I may get two of them for the Christmas tournament, but I seriously doubt it. They’re trying to get their legs back under them. If not, lately we’ve been playing with eight and nine guys.” — Jerome Strutchen

Arnold Marlins

• Coach: James Baxley, sixth year
• Location: Panama City Beach
• Class: 3A
• Record: 8-2
• Leaders: Nate Hicks (22 ppg and 11.5 rpg)
• Other standouts: Jarvious Johnson (16.1 ppg)
• Marlin classic history: 10-2 overall record. Won 2005 and 2006 tournaments, finished second in 2008 and third in 2007.
• Notable and quotable: Nate Hicks has signed with Tulane … Hicks is a McDonald’s All-American nominee … “Whoever wins it is going to have something to brag about. There’s no easy path this year.” — James Baxley.