CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW) – The city of Clarksville remains a breeding ground for boy’s basketball talent even though some may say the area has yet to receive the respect it truly deserves.
Mid-State Elite founder and program director Dontrez Cutno is here to help change that narrative.
“In March of 2019, we offered a free camp with over 200 kids where each kid received a t-shirt, got evaluated, worked out and got fed,” Cutno said. “Daijon Williams has been with me since day one and none of this would be possible without all my coaches. They do this without getting paid and it comes from the heart. Without their heart and love for the boys, we wouldn’t be where we’re at today. I can’t thank them enough.”
Cutno decided to start his AAU team back in 2015 after witnessing an exceptional player go overlooked at a tournament.
“I was at my nephew’s basketball game and saw a kid that was really talented, but he didn’t play a lot,” Cutno said. “After the game, I talked to him. I always loved basketball growing up in Clarksville. I played all the way up until 10th grade. I seen him and was like man, I want to start a travel team. I took my nephew and his friends who were a bunch of football players, put them together with James “Scooter” Williams from Kenwood and that’s how it started.”
MSE’s coaching staff is comprised of Northeast assistant football coach Mike Pardue, Northeast assistant boy’s basketball coach Zavion Williams, Northwest assistant girl’s basketball coach Elijah McCoin, West Creek Middle School boy’s basketball coach Guy Stanford and former Austin Peay and Lipscomb men’s basketball player Demarius Smith. Cutno shared what it is that makes each volunteer a great leader for the younger generation.
“First and foremost, this is not a forced coaching staff,” Cutno said. “We’re all actually friends and all grew up together. Michael Pardue is really good with the kids and interacts well with them. Demarius Smith is like my best friend and he’s played at all of the levels. He really knows the game. He can look at a kid, see their weaknesses and help them grow. Then Zavion is like the brain of everything. He makes everything go. He has coaching down to a science and is a great teacher to the kids.”
On July 10-12, MSE 22 finished 5-0 at the HoopSeen Tip-Off in Suwanee, Georgia where they defeated each of their opponents by double digits. Cutno discussed what it was like from his perspective to see his players flourish against other top teams in the South.
“MSE 2022 is probably on paper the smallest team we’ve ever had in the program because there’s so many guards and just two big kids,” Cutno said. “We’ve never had a team like this off the court where all the kids are like best friends. They hang out together and are always talking to each other. They have the heart of a lion. They don’t back down even though they are usually the smallest team on the floor.
“When we went to Georgia, we seen all the big-name teams. They didn’t panic, executed the gameplan and came out on top. We even played against Montrezl Harrell’s AAU team who plays for the Clippers. Just seeing them go down there and compete against those guys not even at full strength was inspiring. I honestly believe we have some of the best guard play in the country. They really get after it and play with a chip on their shoulder.”
MSE’s three teams are loaded with immense talent from the local area featuring Clarksville’s J.J. Wheat, Northeast’s Isaiah Farrior and Jaylan Miller, Kenwood’s Jaylen Washington, Quentavious Barnes and Kamari McIntosh, Northwest’s Ametri Moss and Joshua Youngblood and Rossview’s Ronald Jessamy.
Cutno gave insight into how the coaching staff is able to get the players to put their school spirit aside and focus on playing together to represent Clarksville and Tennessee to the best of their ability on the AAU circuit.
“When you see these boys, they don’t even talk about high school ball,” Cutno said. “Sometimes during the season we get it going and start little rivalries in our group messages, but in the summer all they talk about is MSE and how we’re going to get better. We’re actual family on and off the court. I know it sounds crazy. They said Clarksville will never be able to have one AAU team with every top player. Now we have every single high school’s top guy. It’s a blessing.”
Many of MSE’s members put in work together outside of the gym in an effort to build even more comradery while also keeping in shape.
“All of our kids workout outside of school with Kenny Bennett at Train 36ixty,” Cutno said. “They all get together on their own time and train together. Kenny does strength and conditioning, keeps their bodies in line and helps with their verticals and getting faster. He’s great with them.”
To witness the perseverance of his athletes pay off both on and off the court is extremely rewarding for Cutno.
“Seeing these kids literally go from little boys to men and watching them sign a free scholarship off of basketball is just a blessing,” Cutno said. “Sometimes I sit back and I just can’t believe it. Knowing how hard they work and seeing them overcome personal stuff by staying the course is just fulfilling.”
According to Cutno, MSE hasn’t even scratched the surface yet when it comes to maximizing its true talent and potential.
“On July 31 through August 1 we’re going back down to HoopSeen and they’re saying that we’re going to be one of the top teams there,” Cutno said. “Then we have the Bama Jam in Hoover, Alabama about a week from now. It’s going to be huge. A lot of coaches are going to be livestreaming due to COVID…I just want to get my guys out there.”
Even while MSE continues to grow into one of the premiere basketball programs in the state, Cutno still isn’t taking the recent success for granted.
“The group we have coming up from 8th grade to 9th grade is going to be good,” Cutno said. “Nate Bassham and Travon Foster are two kids to watch out for. The future of the program is through the roof. We’re going to be around for a really long time.”