Why East's Maurice Miller was confident of future after TSSAA basketball state tournament loss
MURFREESBORO — Not long ago, Memphis East boys basketball coach Maurice Miller was a "bad hire" in a lot of people's eyes.
The Mustangs started the season 6-6 and went 6-6 in District 16-4A.
None of that mattered when his team advanced to this year's TSSAA boys basketball state tournament.
"I was a bad hire two months ago. I was talked about until everybody was in my inbox two days ago," Miller said. "I signed up for this. I'm at Memphis East High School. This team is unique, though. We don't have a James Wiseman, we don't have five stars, but we did it."
The Mustangs made it to state on Thursday night, ultimately falling to Bradley Central 63-48 in the Class 4A quarterfinals, but Miller was proud after the game, defiant almost. He felt East was overlooked, but when it mattered leading up to state, his group won.
"We hurt the city being here because their favorite team wasn't here," Miller said. "I don't want this to be taken from these kids. We played everybody we were supposed to play and they rightfully earned their way to this position."
In every area but free throws, Thursday's game was largely even. Each made three 3-pointers, and each secured 28 rebounds, but the Bears shot 42 free throws (making 26) vs. the Mustangs' 16 (nine makes).
"We can only control what we can control. They shot 42 free throws, but no excuses," Miller said. "We had opportunities. We missed free throws, we missed layups. It cost us. We still had chances to win. We had 16 turnovers."
Sophomore Jacquez Suggs led East (17-14) with 13 points. Junior Cassius Vaughn II and sophomore TJ Cox each had 11 points. Miller's team is strikingly young. Freshman Markel Townsel played 26 minutes on Thursday.
What Miller's team accomplished has the program confident moving to 2A next season. Even with the drop, the former Raleigh-Egypt Mr. Basketball winner will continue to push his team to play and beat the best.
"That's what I love, that we did it at the highest level this year in the first year," he said. "We look at the strength of schedule, though. That's why (we were) 17-13. I wanted to expedite the process. We're talking about a group that's had two or three different coaches, that's had some very unique situations. I have the utmost respect for them for the way they embraced me."
It took some time for Miller's group to mesh, but their late postseason run through Memphis' stacked 4A group provides optimism.
"I'm happy that we got here. We came a long way," Cox said. "(There were) a lot of ups and downs during the season, but once we bought in at the right time during regionals, you see where it got us."
In the locker room after the game, Miller said there were tears, himself included. He still remembers the pain of losing at state in 2007, of losing in the sectionals at Arlington. But what his team did — youth, losses and all — has him hungry for more.
"We can only get better," Miller said. "I didn't get a summer with these guys. We know what to work on and I promise you we'll be a better version of ourselves the next time you see us."
Wendell Shepherd Jr. is The Commercial Appeal's high school sports beat writer. Reach Wendell at wendell.shepherd@commercialappeal.com or on X @wendellsjr_.
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: TSSAA basketball state tournament 2025: Memphis East confident on future
-
Why there's no time for despair after Humboldt's TSSAA basketball state tournament loss
Humboldt’s season came to an end in the TSSAA boys basketball state tournament semifinals, losing to defending champs Chattanooga Prep Friday.Yahoo Sports - 1h -
Why Cookeville is at home in TSSAA girls basketball state tournament after another quarterfinal win
Cookeville beat Lincoln County for its third TSSAA girls basketball state tournament win in four seasons. The Cavaliers face Bartlett in the semis.Yahoo Sports - Mar. 14 -
Why the pain won't last for JCM after losing its first TSSAA boys basketball state tournament
JCM embraced every moment from its first appearance in the TSSAA boys basketball state tournament Wednesday in Murfreesboro.Yahoo Sports - 1d -
Why Natalya Hodge, one of state's top recruits, holds key to Bearden's TSSAA basketball tournament run
Natalya Hodge has Bearden in the TSSAA girls basketball state tournament semifinal after beating Whitehaven Thursday.Yahoo Sports - Mar. 14 -
Why Oak Ridge's stunning loss to Bartlett in TSSAA basketball state tournament was so emotional
Bartlett defeated Oak Ridge 52-50 in the TSSAA girls basketball state tournament Class 4A quarterfinals on Thursday.Yahoo Sports - Mar. 14 -
Why hope exists for Bartlett despite third TSSAA girls basketball state title loss to Bradley Central
Bartlett made history as a three-time TSSAA girls basketball state tournament finalist, but fell again to Bradley Central in the championship.Yahoo Sports - 5d -
Memphis Business' overtime loss only fuels desire for TSSAA boys basketball state tournament in 2026
After a season with plenty of historic milestones, MBA came just short of adding a state tournament win, falling to Tyner in overtime.Yahoo Sports - 1d -
Molly Miller celebrates Grand Canyon's March Madness berth with Gatorade angels
Watch Grand Canyon women's basketball coach Molly Miller make Gatorade angels after the Lopes earned their first trip to March Madness.Yahoo Sports - 4d -
Missouri State women's basketball holds off UIC in MVC Tournament quarterfinals
The Lady Bears are back in the MVC Tournament semifinals after avenging an early-season loss to UIC in the quarterfinal round.Yahoo Sports - 6d
More from Yahoo Sports
-
Ohio State women's basketball vs Montana State in NCAA Tournament first round
It's Ohio State women's basketball vs Montana State in the first round of March Madness. Follow for scores, NCAA Tournament updates from the game.Yahoo Sports - 37m -
Viktor Hovland contending at the Valspar Championship after (another) coaching change
Two weeks ago, Hovland announced a switch back to Grant Waite, insisting he's trying to "get to the bottom" of his slump.Yahoo Sports - 40m -
Auburn basketball vs Creighton: Who has edge in 2025 NCAA Tournament second round?
It’s Auburn Tigers vs. Creighton Blue Jays in the March Madness bracket. Here’s our prediction, pick for the 2025 NCAA Tournament basketball game.Yahoo Sports - 40m -
Georgia Amoore scores 34 points and Kentucky holds off charge by Liberty for 79-78 March Madness win
Georgia Amoore scored 34 points, including three free throws in the final 10 seconds for fourth-seeded Kentucky, which nearly blew a 17-point fourth-quarter lead but held on for a 79-78 victory ...Yahoo Sports - 40m -
Mexican club Leon banned from FIFA Club World Cup
Club Leon from Mexico were incensed Friday after they were banned from the June-July Club World Cup in the United States for violating rules on multi-ownership, FIFA announced Friday. A FIFA ...Yahoo Sports - 44m
More in Sports
-
Ohio State women's basketball vs Montana State in NCAA Tournament first round
It's Ohio State women's basketball vs Montana State in the first round of March Madness. Follow for scores, NCAA Tournament updates from the game.Yahoo Sports - 37m -
Poch after loss: Wearing U.S. shirt 'not enough'
Mauricio Pochettino was left visibly frustrated after the USMNT's shock 1-0 defeat to Panama in the Concacaf Nations League, bluntly telling his players it was not enough to just simply show up in ...ESPN - 38m -
Skenes' 1-of-1 rookie card fetches record $1.11M
Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes' 2024 Topps Chrome Update MLB debut patch autograph card sold for a stunning $1.11 million, including buyer's premium.ESPN - 38m -
Bronny has season-high 17 points in Lakers' loss
Bronny James scored a season-high 17 points on 7-for-10 shooting and added five assists, three rebounds and a block in 30 minutes of playing time against the Bucks.ESPN - 38m -
Wood carded for signing autographs in NZ win
Chris Wood picked up a yellow card for signing autographs and taking pictures with fans during New Zealand's win over Fiji in their World Cup qualifier on Thursday.ESPN - 38m