MBL ’22 Week 1 Recap

After a two-year break due to covid, the MBL kicked off opening day yesterday, Sunday, August 21st, at Elmore Park Middle. The opening game started at 10 am with Team Kendra Mitchell defeating Team Chris Chiozza 32 to 22. Team Kendra Mitchell got a hot start behind the dominant play of 2028 A’zaria Blocker (Memphis School of Excellence Cordova). Blocker had 17 points and 10 rebounds, and along with her teammate 2027 Jaylee Smith’s (Elmore Park Middle) 8 points and 10 rebounds performance, they edged out the 10-point victory.

In the second middle school girl’s game, 2028 Alissa Carpenter (Memphis School of Excellence) had an impressive 10 steals along and 8 points game to lead Team Benjamin Duhart to a 27-19 win against Team Eudarius Jones.

Team Marcus Townsel looks like the team to beat with a 50-38 win over Team Gregory James. The duo of 2027 Taheim Elohem (Grace St Luke’s) and 2028 Braylon Williams (Elmore Park Middle) chipped in 14 and 11 points, respectively.

The day’s most exciting game featured a 20-point comeback win for Team Marcus Williams against Team Jarvis Morgan. After being down in the second half, Team Marcus Williams applied the pressure, and 2027 Taveon Stitmon (Elmore Park Middle) made some big shots down the stretch. 2027 Justin Standifer (Highland Oaks Middle) capped it off with the go-ahead bucket for the 60-58 win. 

The high school started the day at 2:00 pm with the matchup of Team Nicholas Perry vs. Team Jevin Rankins. The two teams were evenly matched, and Team Nicholas Perry squeezed out a 4-point win, 55-51. 2024 Murray Norman (Munford High School) connected on several NBA 3-pointers and finished the game with 16 points and 6 rebounds. His running mate 2025 Kj Smith (Memphis Business Academy), had 13 points and 5 rebounds. The two form a deadly backcourt.

Sam Beattie, a veteran of the MBL, did a masterful job assembling Team Sam Beattie. They easily defeated Team Cesar Gutierrez 72 to 38. Please note that Team Cesar Gutierrez missed two key players in Sunday’s matchup. 2024 Dqorian Davis (Saint Benedict) and 2024 Jaden Fisher (Desoto Central High) scored 20 plus in the victory.

The most balanced team in the league is Team Marquarius Hampton. All players scored, rebounded, and had the most team assists for Week 1. 2026 Axton Perry (Bartlett High) filled up the stat sheet with 10 points, 9 rebounds, 3 blocks, and 2 steals. Team Marquarius Hampton with the 57-32 win over Team Gene James.

Middle School Girls
A’zaria Blocker
Alissa Carpenter
Raeghan McAdory
Malaysia Peete
Jaylee Smith

Middle School Boys
Christian Coleman
Taheim Elohem
Kayden Frazier
Jayden Jordan
Taveon Stitmon
Josh Tyson
Braylon Williams

High School Boys
Joshua Andrews
BJ Boyce, Jr.
Dqorian Davis
Jaden Fisher
Quaylan Hampton
Austin Howard
Murray Norman
Axton Perry
Ta’Vione Pryor
Jaidyn Rankins
Sean Taylor