Trojan standout Mahaffey signs with BMC

Dyersburg High School senior basketball player Ace Mahaffey will continue his career at the college level this November as he signed with Blue Mountain College on Thursday morning. Witnessing the signing were (front, from left) Dyersburg High School Head Coach and father Blaine Mahaffey, Ace Mahaffey, mother Jessica Mahaffey; (back, from left) DHS Assistant Coach David Bryant, DHS Assistant Coach Frank Morgan, and DHS Assistant Coach Jeff Ward.

State Gazette photo/Jason Peevyhouse

JASON PEEVYHOUSE

jpeevyhouse@stategazette.com

A month removed from graduating following a high school athletic career which saw him win numerous honors and awards across three sports, Dyersburg senior basketball player Ace Mahaffey will move onto the college level on the hardcourt as the Trojan guard signed with Blue Mountain College on Thursday morning in the Dyersburg High School Atrium.

“I am very excited to continue playing my basketball life,” Ace Mahaffey said of signing with BMC. “Blue Mountain is getting a good one.”

Mahaffey said he chose Blue Mountain due to the personnel the team has.

“I really like the coaching staff and I really like the players – my new teammates,” the senior said. “I really feel like I will be able to thrive at Blue Mountain.”

Mahaffey was a three-sport athlete during his final year as a Trojan. Ace is a two-time Region 7 Champion in golf and played in the TSSAA State Tournament in each of the past two seasons. He’s won the State Gazette Boys Golfer of the Year Award in each of the past two seasons. This spring, he returned to baseball for his senior year and was the Trojans’ top reliever.

While he had strong games during the regular season – averaging 16.8 points a game during his senior season as well a 4.2 rebounds, Ace stepped onto another level in the postseason. The senior guard averaged over 25 points a game in the District 13AAA Tournament as the Trojans won their second straight postseason district title. In leading his team, the Dyersburg senior also won his second straight Tournament Most Valuable Player award.

Dyersburg Head Coach Blaine Mahaffey talked about what Ace has meant to the team during his high school career.

“He’s a kid that has come up in the system and has been around it,” Mahaffey said. “Obviously, he’s meant a lot to the program but has also brought a lot.

“It’s been fun to watch him progress. What a great opportunity it is for him to be able to keep playing.”

The Trojan head coach said Blue Mountain is getting a kid that is probably a little more than they think.

“I think he’s a little quicker than he looks and I think he’s a little stronger than he looks,” Mahaffey said. “And a little bigger than he is. And one that is not going to shy away from competition.

“I think that is one of his biggest assets. Just looking forward to seeing what he is going to do.”