Kentucky basketball signee Tyrese Maxey will be playing three games in the Kentucky Lake Showcase at Marshall County High School next week.
South Garland (Texas) will face Hillcrest Prep (Arizona) at 10:30 a.m. CST Dec. 28 and then take on Superior Collegiate (Florida) at 4 p.m.
On Dec. 29, South Garland will play Dime Academy (Florida) at 4 p.m. CST.
The 6-3 Maxey signed with Kentucky in November and is ranked among the nation’s top 10 players in the 2019 recruiting class. He’s averaging 22 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 1.4 steals and 1.0 blocks per game in 16 games this season. He’s shooting 83 percent at the foul line, 28 percent from 3-point range and 45 percent overall from the field.
During his 91-game career, he’s averaged 21.7 points, 6.1 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 2.0 steals and 1.3 blocks per game.
His father is part of the South Garland High School coaching staff and he does a lot of strength and conditioning work with his son.
“That is their deal. I just try to stay the mom,” Denyse Maxey said. “I am not the mom that knows all the stats and particulars of the game. I just try to nurture my son and make sure he eats and sleeps the way he should and does what he needs to be successful.
“Sometimes I have to stand in between him and his father and be the referee. But for the most part we are just a typical family. I wish I could say we never have a disagreement but we do know our roles. My role is not to train or interfere with what he does basketball-wise. My role is to cheer and be mom. I accept that role and do not want it to be anything different.”
That “mom” role is one reason she’s president of the Parent Teacher Student Association. She actually started the high school booster club and helped write the bylaws and get them approved. She’s vice-president of fundraising for the booster club.
“It’s a lot of work but it is so gratifying to help parents guide their children,” she said. “I believe for kids to be successful it starts at home. It helps me be a better person. I would not spend all that time doing anything if it was not gratifying to me.
“I try to make sure the entire basketball program gets fed. People help with (buying) uniforms and training materials. I focus on meals and maybe banquets and sometimes little trinkets for the boys here and there. When I started, I was doing the meals myself.
“Last year we got funding from some places to supply the meals. I was calling parents for spaghetti, sandwiches, Gatorade. Last year we were able to tap into some things and get more food items so I didn’t have to do as much.”
Kentucky Lake Showcase organizer Dan Hudson tried to get South Garland to where it could play in the Marshall County Hoop Fest earlier this month. When that didn’t work, he found an opening that fit for the team to play here next weekend.
“We think people are really going to enjoy watching him and his team play,” Hudson said.