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2009-2010
Basketball Team Bio |
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André Applewhite, Head Coach
André Applewhite is beginning his 9 th year as head coach of Central High School boys' basketball. The past eight seasons,
his teams have won 1 st place three times in the district, district runners-up twice, and city champions the 2007-08 season.
Applewhite's previous coaching experience include assistant basketball coach and recruiting coordinator at
Grambling State University, assistant basketball coach and film exchange coordinator at Texas Southern University,
and assistant basketball coach at Jack Yates High School in Houston, Texas.
In 2004, then Principal John Avis named Coach Applewhite as Central's new
Athletic Director to replace the well-known football coach and Athletic Director Al Cate.
Applewhite held this position until 2008.
Applewhite , who attended Texas Southern University on an athletic scholarship, received
both his bachelor's and master's degrees from Texas Southern . He furthered his
education at The University of Memphis where he received an endorsement in Administration and Supervision.
Applewhite is a Southwest Tennessee Community College Hall of Fame honoree, who played for
the legendary Vertis Sails and the Saluqis from 1981-83. He led his teams to a 53-10 record,
two Western Division championships, and one Region title in his two-year career. As a sophomore
at Southwest, Applewhite was named All-Western Division, All-TJCCAA, All-Region VII, and
Western Division Player of the Year. He currently ranks as Southwest's ninth all-time leading
rebounder with 483 in his career and also ranks among the career leaders in free
throws made, free throws attempted, and games played.
Don Casey, Assistant Coach
Coach Casey is a mathematics teacher who moved to Memphis from Massachusetts. He is a Cornell University graduate
and is in his first year as a high school assistant basketball coach. Coach Casey is a former basketball player and graduate of
Billerica Memorial High School in Massachusetts. Coach Casey is young, keen, and passionate about our
students' athletic as well as their academic performance. He is a brilliant addition to Central's coaching staff.
Volunteer Coaches, Assistants, and Mentors
No high school program could exist without the support of volunteers in many areas.
We are enormously grateful to have the volunteer assistance of
Reginald Morris, Clyde Peete, Hollis Taylor, and Melvin Wilkes.
Jonathan Lockhart, a 2000 Central graduate, is the timekeeper at Central games.
A former Warrior basketball player and Student Council Representative, Lockhart is important
to our freshmen in helping them make the transition to the Central tradition.
In addition, Central veteran mathematics teacher Calvin Lacy is a tremendous help in tutoring/mentoring
our athletes as they continue to enhance the tradition of excellence at Central High School.
Another mathematics teacher, Phyllis Buehler, a 1972 Central graduate,
is the long-time volunteer bookkeeper, tutor, and mentor.
The multi-talented Ralph Hill is the person behind the great, melodious voice you
hear as the announcer at every home game. A 1993 Central graduate, Ralph was captain
of his football team, voted Most Athletic his senior year, was also an outstanding track star,
and a member of the Tech Crew.
All of these volunteers bring their unique gifts to the team; and, they have
been priceless in guiding, mentoring, and coaching our young men in ways too numerous to mention.
A Little Team History
Last Year's Team —
For the third consecutive season, the Warriors were 1 st place in District 16-AAA.
The Warriors also pulled off what many viewed as an upset victory over Ridgeway to
become the City Champions in 2007-08. After such a high note as City Champions
and three 1 st place winners in the District, the Warriors experienced disappointment
in being bounced out of play in the region by White Station. White Station went on to become state champions.
School History —
Central High School, erected in 1909, was the first public high school built within the Memphis city
limits. Central has always had a reputation for being one of the premier college preparatory high s
chools in the Memphis City Schools system. It was designated one of the original four optional schools when the
Optional Schools Program began in 1976. The academic environment at Central is diverse, vibrant, and challenging, thus, forming
the perfect setting for a college-bound student. Many former players under
Coach Applewhite have received academic as well as athletic scholarships.
Last Year's Seniors —
Of the three seniors from last year's team, Tyler Xavier Stone received
an athletic scholarship to the University of Missouri after earning
All-Metro honors each of the past two seasons, along with All-Area,
All-Region, and District 16-AAA MVP honors as a senior;
Chris Sledge is attending The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga;
Terrence Dabney is enrolled in Southwest Tennessee Community College.
Where Are They Now? —
The following are just a few of Coach Applewhite's former players who have attended college
(or have graduated) on basketball or academic scholarships:
Reuben Clayton (The University of Tennessee at Martin),
Thurmond Denton (Middle Tennessee State University),
Jockquez Finney (Arkansas State University),
Cid Harrell (Christian Brothers University),
Greg Hill (LeMoyne-Owen),
Ernest Holliman (Middle Tennessee State University),
Justin Hunter (Austin Peay University graduate and pursuing a Master's degree),
Moraye Ivy (Tennessee State University graduate),
James Jones (Rust College),
Miguel Maxwell (walk-on at Mercer),
Greg Mosby (Naval Academy),
Dominic Smith (Morehouse graduate and pursuing an MBA degree),
Travis Thompson (LeMoyne-Owen College),
Reuben Webber (Martin Methodist College graduate),
and Darin Willis (Jackson State University).
NBA (Boston Celtics) Draftee —Coach Applewhite is also particularly proud of his former Central player –
(who also played at his alma mater, Southwest Tennessee Community College,
and who graduated from The University of Tennessee at Martin) –
Lester Hudson , who was drafted with the Boston Celtics this year.
The high point of the current season was the Warriors knocking off last year's State
Champions - Meridian (Mississippi) -
in overtime in their first game of the season.
Coach Applewhite feels that this win was huge!
He also believes that this win proved that the Warriors have built
on the many positive experiences from last year's team, and he sees the future as bright.
The outlook for the coming season is very exciting with a combination of returning players and
the incoming talented group of 11 freshmen. Two seniors, Tim Peete and Masceo Harmon, four-year starters for Central,
return to complete what they feel was an incomplete season (24-5). This team is what many may consider to be a young group,
because there are only three seniors on this year's team (Tim Peete, Masceo Harmon, and new-comer Allen Farmer). This team has
played many games together, and they are poised to make a strong run at a potential state title. The coaches believe that the leadership of
Tulsa signee Tim Peete and senior Masceo Harmon will supply the necessary experience to guide the team to take the next step—to a state championship.
Central will be counting on Jarnell Stokes to be a force in the middle.
Stokes is the first Memphis basketball player to break top 3 in Rivals National Ranking.
He is really mobile, he has open-court skills, he is an incredible player, and he is a great student-athlete.
Stokes is a sophomore, and he is already being heavily recruited by The University of Memphis among many other schools.
André Applewhite II (shown on the left) and Jarius (Blake) Johnson (shown on the right)
The Warriors also expect to get a boost from returning sophomores André Applewhite II and Jarius (Blake) Johnson,
who will be counted on to bring in that all-around play and toughness that they have displayed throughout
their middle and high school careers. Coach Applewhite will be counting on Andre II's all-around play and his high basketball IQ to
bring great floor awareness. Coach Applewhite feels that, with this group of student-athletes
the sky is the limit, because they are so knowledgeable of the game and they have such a respect for one another's skills.
D'airrus Sorrell (shown on left) and Cameron Clear (shown on the right)
are expected to provide help in the areas of rebounding and interior scoring. They are great leapers and both have the talent
for great inside play. Two-sport athlete (football and basketball) Cameron Clear has gained muscle and strength to have the rebounding
edge over his opponents. Both athletes have gained confidence and are expected to be a big part of leading the team this year.
Senior Tim Peete is Tulsa Bound!
Tim Peete recently signed with The University of Tulsa Golden Hurricane during the early signing period.
Peete is a wing player and has helped Central High School to 72 wins the past three seasons.
He averaged 14.4 points per game last season and was an all-city selection in each of the last
two seasons. In 2008, he earned honorable mention all-state merits. Peete is ranked as a three-star recruit
by both Rivals.com and Scout.com.
Peete will be the first player from Memphis on the Tulsa roster since
All-American Willie Biles played for the Golden Hurricane from 1971-74.
Above, Biles (shown standing) was on hand to congratulate Tim and his parents at Tim's early signing.
Other Recruits:
• Senior Masceo Harmon is being recruited by a number of junior colleges.
• Sophomore Jarnell Stokes is the first Memphis basketball player to break top 3 in Rivals 2012 National Ranking.
... He is being recruited by The University of Memphis (among others).
• Sophomore André Applewhite II is being recruited by The University of Memphis (among others).
• Sophomore D'iarrius Sorrell is being recruited by Clemson University.