BY JESSE SMITHEY When it comes to their recent football coaching search, the Gatlinburg-Pittman administration did no dilly-dallying. Just two weeks after the announced resignation of Brad Waggoner, the Highlanders named their new head coach on … [Read more...]
The 5Star Preps 2024 BASEBALL Preview: The Teams and Players to Know this spring
BY JESSE SMITHEY Basketball season is over. And baseball season has commenced. Per normal, the East Tennessee waters of baseball talent are deep again. Four area teams won state titles last May. And dozens of area players have signed or … [Read more...]
Power-5 offensive line prospect Brody Smith moving from Knoxville to Maryville; will enroll at Maryville High
BY JESSE SMITHEY Brody Smith, the son of former NFL tight end Lee Smith, will not be playing for the Bearden Bulldogs in the 2024 season. His family is moving to Maryville. … [Read more...]
RELIVE THE FULTON FALCONS CLASS 3A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP WEEK
CLASS 3A CHAMPIONSHIP The Game Story The Photos Video Highlights Interview Room CLASS 3A SEMIFINALS The Game Story The Photos Video Highlights Interview Room CLASS 3A QUARTERFINALS The Game Story The … [Read more...]
RELIVE THE ALCOA TORNADOES CLASS 2A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP WEEK
CLASS 2A CHAMPIONSHIP The Game Story The Photos The Video Highlights Press Room Interviews CLASS 2A SEMIFINALS The Game Story The Photos The Video Highlights Press Room Interviews CLASS 2A … [Read more...]
2024 CLASS 3A CHAMPIONSHIP: Fulton Falcons take down Ridgeway, 68-47, to repeat as state champions
BY JESSE SMITHEY MURFREESBORO — You'd be hard-pressed to find a defining moment Saturday night in Fulton's 68-47 win over Ridgeway in the Class 3A state tournament. Maybe you single out a Tyler Lee play at the rim or an acrobatic score by … [Read more...]
2024 CLASS 2A CHAMPIONSHIP: Alcoa Tornadoes repeat as Class 2A state champions, 76-67, over previously unbeaten Douglass
BY JESSE SMITHEY MURFREESBORO — Jahvin Carter had to document the moment for himself Saturday night. The Alcoa senior point guard, who had just led the Tornadoes to a second consecutive state championship, took his cellphone with him when he and … [Read more...]
CLASS 3A BOYS SEMIFINAL — Fulton turns up defensive notch in 52-30 win over Upperman; Falcons advance to 3A Championship
BY JESSE SMITHEY MURFREESBORO — The postgame question might have been directed towards Class 3A Mr. Basketball and Fulton senior forward Tyler Lee on Friday night, but fellow senior Taj Kimber had no problem chiming in with his answer before Lee … [Read more...]
2024 CLASS 2A STATE SEMIFINALS: Jahvin Carter scores 40 and Alcoa reaches 2A title game with 69-64 OT win
BY JESSE SMITHEY MURFREESBORO — When it comes to Jahvin Carter, you can just sense that he has a job-is-not-finished mentality this week at the Class 2A state tournament. Case in point: Alcoa had just won a 69-64 overtime thriller Friday night … [Read more...]
CLASS 3A QUARTERFINALS: Defending champion Fulton grinds out 56-49 win over upset-minded Fayette-Ware
BY JESSE SMITHEY MURFREESBORO — By no means did Jody Wright, the longtime Fulton head boys' basketball coach, expect an encore performance this week of what his players reeled off in the 2023 state tournament. Yes, essentially the entire roster … [Read more...]