Memphis Hamilton High freshman Marlon Mcshane Jr. making the most of a hoops season overshadowed by improbable global pandemic
Andre Johnson 
POISED TO EXCEL
DALLAS — When the coronavirus outbreak surfaced in March 2020, this unprecedented global pandemic disrupted the customary competitive play of countless of student athletes, particularly those who are auditioning diligently for athletic scholarships.
Regardless, amongst those who seemed destined to make good of what undoubtedly was a dispirited — and indefinite — situation is Shelby-Metro prep basketball player Marlon Mcshane Jr., a freshman at Memphis Hamilton High.
During an interview this week with Making Headline News from Memphis, Sharline Patterson, Mcshane Jr.’s mother, emphasized, among other things, how impressed she is in the poise and stick-to-itiveness her son demonstrated amid a year in which prep hoops in Shelby County was an ill-defined no-go.
“SCS (Shelby County Schools) decided not to have a season this year due to the pandemic, but Marlon continued to push through adversity,” Patterson said. “And he was given an opportunity to continue to play ball this year.”
Much to his delight, Mcshane will continue to weather the storm as a member of the Memphis Bulldogs Elite/Magic Elite 15-and-under AAU sqaud.
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A rising AAU basketball youth organization that is founded by Herman Powell, this progressive institution has become a fixture for helping enhance the goals of strategically molding boys into what organizers describe as “intelligent, hardworking men,” according to a detailed introduction of Memphis Bulldogs Elite/Magic Elite on its Facebook.
“We are growing and striving to be better each day,” said a spokesperson for Memphis Bulldogs Elite/Magic Elite.
Amongst those who are striving fervently to progress his overall mechanics is Mcshane whom, along with his AAU teammates, will compete in GSE 10K Invitational in Dallas March 19-21.
Suitably dubbed the “biggest team sponsorship tournament” during which each participating team is guaranteed at least three games, the GSE 10K Invitational will take place at Dallas’ Drive Nation Sports.
This three-day event is expected to generate national media coverage as games will stream live via PlaySight Interactive, an Israel-based connected camera and artificial intelligence sports technology company that customarily offers its Smart sports video platform to over 25 sports and across 20 countries, including basketball, tennis, ice hockey and soccer.
For Mcshane, that he will be afforded the golden opportunity to appear on one of amateur basketball’s largest stages this week is something by which he fully welcomes, given the 5-foot-9 swingman boasts lofty aspirations of playing at the collective level sometime in 2025.
“(I’m) an all-around player that can defend and lead my team,” said Mcshane, assessing his notable strengths.
Although the chance of vying for a varsity roster spot as a freshman didn’t materialize due to COVID-19 concerns, Mcshane, nevertheless, was determined not to place by the wayside his keen ability to develop as a newcomer to prep hoops in a tradition-rich and basketball-crazed Shelby-Metro area.
“(In preparing for next season at Hamilton), I’ll continue AAU traveling, playing good teams, and continue training,” Mcshane said.
Despite a year in which he didn’t get to showcase his skills at the high school ranks, Mcshane seemingly has done enough on the AAU circuit to grasp the attention of college scouts and recruiters.
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According to Mcshane, he has garnered interests from at least two Division 1 schools, a trend he senses will unquestionably continue, particularly as he generates more nationwide exposure.
This weekend’s event in the Lone Star State, by all accounts, figures to enhance his already impressive hoops resume.
“We look forward to this summer, as well as next season to show case his talents and work toward his goal of becoming a college athlete,” Patterson said.
PUTTIN’ IN WORK
Mcshane, meanwhile, seems just as eager to showcase his immeasurable talents for tradition-rich Hamilton, especially after an unusual freshman year in which the global pandemic unequivocally denied him of the opportunity.
“I believe I played with heart,” said Mcshane, assessing his play in recent months on the amateur circuit. “It’s not easy being the smallest on the court. (But I’m still) a team player first and I have the ability to score and (create my own shot).
“(If I land a basketball scholarship), I’ll be the first in my family to go to school on a sports scholarship.”
That, to his credit, seems imminent, given his already impressive hoops resume.
Stay tuned.
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Andre Johnson is the award-winning Founder and Publisher for Making Headline News. A 2000 graduate of the University of Memphis School of Journalism and a former staff reporter of sports for the Memphis Commercial Appeal newspaper, Johnson covers the NBA Southwest Division from Dallas, Texas. To reach Johnson, send email to [email protected] or to [email protected]. Also, follow him on Twitter @AJ_Journalist or Instagram at @makingheadlinenews.
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