Hicks became an important role player off the bench as a junior when the Cherokees advanced to the state tournament. As a senior, he and teammate Cedrick Nevins were the Tribe's scoring leaders as the Cherokees went 18-13, took third place in the District 5-AAA tournament and advanced to the Region 3-AAA semifinals.

In addition to working on his game, Elliott said another element was a factor in Hicks' development as a player.  "It helped that he grew a few inches," he said.

Hicks, who went from six-feet tall at the start of his junior year to now being 6-3, was a consistent three-point shooting threat with the ability to stretch opposing defenses. His shooting accuracy also showed up at the free throw line, including a game at Walker Valley when he was a perfect 10-for-10 at the foul line in the game's final minute and 13 seconds to help the Cherokees hold on for a victory.

Among the recognition he received during the past year was being selected to the District 5-AAA and Region 3-AAA all-tournament teams. "He's got a bright future ahead of him," Elliott said. "It's been a joy to coach him because he's going to do what you ask him to do. I think Coach (Mike) Poe is getting a diamond-in-the-rough."

Poe, TWC's head coach, wasn't present for Hicks' signing at the high school because he was attending practice with the Bulldogs' golf team he coaches.  Poe's basketball assistant, Ray Stone, said Hicks is projected as a "two-guard" at TWC.  "Definitely, the way he shoots it," Stone said.  Stone added Hicks will likely be redshirted as a freshman, giving him another year to continue working on his game.

"He's a great kid," Stone added. Hicks said he's thought about wanting to play college basketball from the time he entered high school. He added he's enjoyed his years at McMinn and it made him the player he is.

As for a favorite memory? "The substate game last year, shooting the free throws at the end, knowing we were going to win," Hicks said. Hicks said he wanted to go to Wesleyan because the Bulldogs' up-tempo style is the way he likes to play.

A good student at McMinn with a 3.05 grade-point-average, Hicks plans to major in exercise science and sports management at Wesleyan. Another of Hicks' assets, Elliott said, is his good understanding of the game.  "He's got a good basketball head and that helps him to know what he needs to do," Elliott said.