By Robert Wilson
Clinton Christian Academy has won 14 straight games, produced a 24-3 record, and is considered one of the favorites to win the MAIS Overall Tournament boys championship this season.
A big reason why is the play of 6-foot junior forward Trey Alexander this season.
Alexander had one of his best weeks last week when he averaged 22 points, 7 rebounds, 5.5 assists, 2 steals and 2 blocked shots and led CCA to wins over Tri-County Academy, Presbyterian Christian School, and Simpson Academy.
For his outstanding performances, Alexander has been named the PriorityOne Bank/Mississippi Scoreboard Metro Jackson Boys Basketball Player of the Week.
Alexander had 24 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 steals and 2 blocked shots in a 79-46 win over Tri-County. He had 23 points, 10 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals and 1 blocked shot in an 82-53 win over PCS. Alexander had 18 points, 10 assists and 7 rebounds in a 67-55 win over Simpson Academy.
Alexander – a member of the PriorityOne Bank/Mississippi Scoreboard Metro Jackson Preseason Elite 11 Team – is averaging 20 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals and 2 blocked shots this season. Alexander had career highs of 36 points and 17 rebounds against West Memphis, Ark., this season.
“Trey put in a lot of hard work in the off-season, and he has elevated his game this year,” CCA coach Josh Zietz said. “He is such a talented offensive player that he can get a shot whenever he wants, but he has really improved his passing. Against PCS, Trey was really good sharing the ball in transition and against Simpson he had nine assists pretty much all in the half court. This shows his versatility and unselfishness. Each game last week he led us in either scoring, rebounding or assists. Trey is a big reason for our success. We have played a very challenging schedule to hopefully prepare us for the state and overall tournaments. We lost three games to Class 6A schools (Madison-Ridgeland Academy, Jackson Academy and PCS) early in the season, but have since beaten all of them the second time we played. I feel like we are peaking at the right time.”
Alexander averaged 17 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals and helped CCA to a 23-8 record last season as a sophomore. He had a triple double (16 points,14 rebounds, 10 assists) in a 79-78, triple overtime victory over MRA last season.
Alexander averaged 14 points, 6 rebounds and 2 assists and helped CCA to a 29-6 record, the MAIS Class 3A state championship and the Overall Tournament semifinals two years ago as a freshman.
He has offers from Tuskegee, Copiah-Lincoln Community College, and Holmes CC.
“Trey is a leader on and off the court,” Zeitz said. “He is an excellent student and a member of the National Honor Society. Trey plays his best in big games. He has a great mid-range game and attacks the rim well.”
CCA plays host to Canton Academy Thursday in its next game.
Coaches please text or call Robert Wilson at 601.506.2276 to nominate one of your players for Player of the Week. Players on teams from Hinds, Madison, and Rankin Counties are eligible.
