BY JESSE SMITHEY MURFREESBORO - The first win in Gatlinburg-Pittman girls' basketball history was hard-fought. The second, not so much. The Lady Highlanders had little problem with the early tip-off time Tuesday morning at MTSU's Murphy Center … [Read more...]
Bearden gets fifth state berth in six years; Alcoa and G-P suffer OT sectional losses
BY JESSE SMITHEY In this boys' state sectional round-up, we profile the following games: Bearden vs. Science Hill Alcoa vs. Tyner Gatlinburg-Pittman vs. Brainerd Farragut vs. Dobyns-Bennett Plus: Oliver Springs, Harriman and … [Read more...]
GIRLS HOOPS: Bearden, Greeneville, Gatlinburg-Pittman garner 2022 state tournament berths
BY JESSE SMITHEY The 5Star Preps team covered state-sectional wins by Alcoa and Farragut on Saturday night. And those stories will be on the site soon. But that doesn't mean we ignored the rest of the games. Get your details and recaps below … [Read more...]
Christian Brothers (28-0) denies Knoxville Catholic a second championship in three years
BY JESSE SMITHEY COOKEVILLE - As a few crestfallen Catholic basketball players sat and answered questions from media following Saturday’s Division II-AA state championship, one common theme emanated from them. They wanted to win the season … [Read more...]
Fulton High promotes Jeff McMillan to head football coach
By JESSE SMITHEY The resignation of longtime head football coach Rob Black at Fulton High School on Feb. 9 was more than unexpected. The Falcons have found a successor, though -- one from within who could provide continued stabilization and … [Read more...]
Knoxville Catholic upsets unbeaten Brentwood Academy, 63-55, in Division II-AA state semifinals
BY JESSE SMITHEY COOKEVILLE - Estimating the foot he injured in Saturday's quarterfinal win to be at roughly 80 percent, an almost-healthy B.J. Edwards on Thursday night was still better than most. Hard to argue that. The University of … [Read more...]
Ideal start doesn’t hold us as Webb Lady Spartans fall to Lipscomb in Division II-AA state semifinals
BY JESSE SMITHEY COOKEVILLE - If the Webb School of Knoxville envisioned a perfect start for their Thursday state semifinal against Lipscomb, it likely looked similar to what actually transpired on the court after tip. But the conclusion of the … [Read more...]
Power 5 prospect Jaloni Cambridge and Ensworth eliminate Catholic in DII-AA girls semifinals
By JESSE SMITHEY COOKEVILLE - A season ago, win or lose, the Knoxville Catholic girls' basketball team was just happy to be at Tennessee Tech in the field at the Division II-AA state tournament. It was the program's first appearance there and the … [Read more...]
Farragut granted appeal request by TSSAA; season resurrected Thursday afternoon
BY JESSE SMITHEY Welcome back to the postseason, Farragut. The TSSAA doesn't overturn their decision often, but it happened Thursday afternoon. A day after ruling that the boys' basketball teams at Farragut and William Blount were to … [Read more...]
GIRLS REGION CHAMPIONSHIP ROUNDUP – Wednesday, March 2, 2022
BY JESSE SMITHEY Elimination wasn't in the equation Wednesday night. But region championships were. Here are all the details on which area girls' basketball teams won region titles and who they and region runners-up will play in Saturday's … [Read more...]