BY DAVE LINK Bearden’s Natalya Hodge had a breakout season two years ago, earning the starting point guard’s job as a freshman and helping the Lady Bulldogs (35-1) advance to the 2023 Class 4A state quarterfinals. There was no sophomore slump … [Read more...]
Nolan Bethel, Loudon Baseball get the better of rival Lenoir City in District 5-3A Tournament
BY DAVE LINK LOUDON – Loudon’s Nolan Bethel was too much for Lenoir City’s baseball team to handle Thursday afternoon. The junior right-hander and Kennesaw State commitment gave up two hits and two runs in four innings, leading the Redskins to … [Read more...]
Brooke Million fires one-hitter; Grace Lady Rams top Webb, 11-1
BY DAVE LINK One bad pitch in the first inning didn’t lead to a bad Monday night for Grace Christian Academy junior Brooke Million. After giving up a leadoff inside-the-park homer to Webb School of Knoxville’s Jeneva Mitchell, Million fired a … [Read more...]
THE NEW QB1s, part VIII — Transfer to Stone Memorial could make Panthers competitive again in 2024
BY DAVE LINK Stone Memorial football coach Derik Samber and his staff have a history of coaching all-state quarterbacks. Samber expects it to continue this fall with Crossville native Noah Potter transferring to Stone Memorial from Bearden. … [Read more...]
Senior pitcher Alyssa Maples hits career milestone; Karns tops Oliver Springs, 5-0
BY DAVE LINK Karns senior Alyssa Maples pitched around some early troubles Thursday night and reached a career milestone in the process. The Lincoln Memorial University signee fired a three-hitter with six strikeouts, leading the Lady Beavers … [Read more...]
Farragut Softball making its surge toward postseason with versatile standout Elsa Morrison now at SS
BY DAVE LINK Farragut junior Elsa Morrison was Tennessee’s Gatorade Player of the Year as a catcher last year when the Lady Admirals went 33-7 and advanced to the Class 4A state tournament. Morrison’s primary position at Farragut isn’t catcher … [Read more...]
FCA FISHING FILES: Hamblen County angler Nolan Gray rewarded for his patience on South Holston Lake
BY DAVE LINK Nolan Gray of the Hamblen County Anglers could teach a Bass Fishing 101 lesson from his April 13 day on South Holston Lake. The theme: Don’t give up after a slow start, which is what happened to him in the event on the Bass Pro … [Read more...]
Alcoa Boys Soccer edges South-Doyle, 4-3, to take over first place in District 5-AA
BY DAVE LINK ALCOA — South-Doyle’s soccer team got what it expected Monday night at Alcoa. Junior forward Diego Ojeda scored two goals as Alcoa edged the Cherokees 4-3 for first place in the District 5-AA standings. … [Read more...]
THE NEW QB1s, PART VI: William Blount Governors moving into a new starting quarterback era
BY DAVE LINK William Blount football coach Robert Reeves and his staff will have a hard time replacing senior quarterback Brett Cortez in the fall. But they’ve got just the guy to give it a shot. … [Read more...]
BEARDEN BULLDOGS BLANK FARRAGUT, 3-0, IN SOCCER RIVALRY
BY DAVE LINK Bearden soccer coach Ryan Radcliffe hopes Friday night was a turning point for his team this season. … [Read more...]