BY DAVE LINK Anderson County volleyball coach Jayme Smith wasn’t sure how her team would respond after losing senior setter Hannah Freeman to a torn ACL in late August. Smith returned her top eight players from the 2019 team that reached the … [Read more...]
5Star Preps Volleyball Player of the Year (2020): Cassie Kuerschen of Knoxville Catholic
By DAVE LINK Catholic’s Cassie Kuerschen made a bold move in early October. The senior libero de-committed to play volleyball for Tennessee with hopes of other opportunities. And that was all she had at the time. Hope. She didn’t know where … [Read more...]
A healthy Preston Sisler has been ‘so dynamic’ for South-Doyle football in 2020
By DAVE LINK South-Doyle senior Preston Sisler won’t be the star player on the field Friday night when the Cherokees (8-3) travel to play David Crockett (9-2) in Jonesborough in the second round of the Class 5A state playoffs. The Pioneers … [Read more...]
McMinn County doesn’t succumb to Bearden upset-bid this time; Cherokees advance in 6A playoffs
By DAVE LINK ATHENS, Tenn. -- Class 6A Mr. Football semifinalist Jalen Hunt has been tough to stop this season, and that didn’t change Friday night. … [Read more...]
CAK football (10-0) achieves history in Week 11 but has bigger aspirations
By DAVE LINK There were plenty of reasons for the Christian Academy of Knoxville football team to celebrate Friday night. J.D. Dunn Jr. rushed for 223 yards and two touchdowns on 33 carries as CAK beat Webb School of Knoxville, 21-13, and … [Read more...]
Sophomore RB Desean Bishop, Karns teammates seek Week 11 win and building block for 2021
By DAVE LINK Karns football coach Brad Taylor wants to end the season a bang Friday night against Clinton and get a jump-start for the 2021 season. Sophomore running back DeSean Bishop is a big part of the Beavers’ plans in the future. … [Read more...]
TSSAA STATE SOCCER: Local championship contenders face delayed start and tough draws
By DAVE LINK Alcoa soccer coach Shane Corley wasn’t surprised when the TSSAA postponed the state tournaments for two days this week due to potential rainy weather. Corley and the Lady Tornadoes are making their fourth consecutive trip to state. … [Read more...]
Bearden tops Farragut for state berth; Alcoa, Greeneville, Seymour, Maryville, Cumberland Gap, McMinn County win
The afternoon started with 15 area girls' soccer teams in the mix for state tournament berths. By Saturday's end, the 5Star Preps coverage area got seven teams through. Here's what happened in Saturday's state sectional round, including a story … [Read more...]
STILL STREAKING: Maryville football wins hard-fought, 21-2 game at upset-minded McMinn County
By DAVE LINK ATHENS – Adversity didn’t faze the Maryville football team Friday night. The Rebels were without 12 players – including four or five starters – due to COVID-19 related issues for a 21-2 victory over McMinn County. No. 2-ranked … [Read more...]
PLAYOFFS: Bearden, Farragut soccer to meet in sectionals; Gibbs, Alcoa, Maryville, Greeneville win region
By DAVE LINK Janie Lewis and Zneyah McLaughlin wanted one more match on their home soccer field. They earned it Thursday night. … [Read more...]