BY MIKE BLACKERBY DANDRIDGE – As Kali McMahan goes, so goes Jefferson County’s girls’ basketball team. The Lady Patriots’ 6-foot senior forward scored 20 points, blocked five shots and grabbed four rebounds Thursday as No. 2 seed Jefferson County … [Read more...]
2021 5STAR PREPS Football Defensive Player of the Year: Walter Nolen, Powell
BY MIKE BLACKERBY Walter Nolen’s play during the high school football season certainly stood on its own merit. The massive 6-foot-4 senior recorded 93 tackles with 28 tackles for loss and 17 quarterback sacks as he helped Powell to the Class 5A … [Read more...]
Micah Simpson’s 32 points lead Morristown East past Farragut in possible sectional preview
By MIKE BLACKERBY MORRISTOWN – It took Morristown East three overtimes to edge Farragut, 86-85, on the Admirals’ home court way back on Nov. 26. Tuesday’s rematch had no such drama. The issue was essentially decided by halftime, as the Hurricanes … [Read more...]
2021 5Star Preps Defensive Underclassman of the Year: Steven Soles, Powell
BY MIKE BLACKERBY The light really came on for standout Powell defensive end Steven Soles midway through the 2021 high school football season. Soles’ wrecking-ball style of play was a big reason the Panthers emerged as one of most dominant … [Read more...]
Jakobi Gillespie, Reid Satterfield combine for 61 in Greeneville win against Morristown East
By MIKE BLACKERBY GREENEVILLE – It’s hard to score 34 points these days without benefit of a few 3-pointers. Greeneville’s Ja’Kobi Gillespie made it look easy Friday night against Morristown East. … [Read more...]
NEW QB1s, part VIII – Who’s next in line at Maryville High School to start at quarterback?
BY MIKE BLACKERBY Perennial state power Maryville has enjoyed a seemingly endless stream of good-to-great quarterbacks over the last 25 years. When one graduates, another always seems to step forward. But there’s no question that the Rebels’ … [Read more...]
Cocke County girls’ basketball team (21-4) chasing first state berth since 1988
NEWPORT – There are still major goals down the line, but Cocke County’s girls continued their magical regular-season run Thursday night. The Lady Red edged Gatlinburg-Pittman 65-62 behind the play of Paige Niethammer. The 6-foot junior post missed … [Read more...]
The NEW QB1, part VII – Elizabethton Cyclones prepare for football without Bryson Rollins
By MIKE BLACKERSON Bryson Rollins’ value to the Elizabethton High School football program was incalculable. His place in TSSAA history as one of the state’s all-time winners is the stuff of legends. … [Read more...]
Audrey Stratton catches fire at just the right time for Grainger Lady Grizzlies
BY MIKE BLACKERBY GREENEVILLE – The shooting of senior guard Audrey Stratton ignited a second-half scoring outburst Friday night, just when the Grainger High School girls' basketball team needed it most. … [Read more...]
NEW QB1, part VI — Halls Red Devils feature new QB, new coach and new OC in 2022
By MIKE BLACKERBY New coach, new quarterback. A new era begins for Halls High School football in 2022. We’re sure about the coach. The quarterback is yet to be finalized, but there’s a clear-cut frontrunner. … [Read more...]