By MIKE BLACKERBY When first-year Lakeway Christian football coach Steve Haywood talks about building a program from the ground up, he’s not kidding. Each day is a learning experience for the Lions, who have just one season of varsity play under … [Read more...]
Farragut Softball claims Class AAA state championship, the program’s first since 1982
By MIKE BLACKERBY MURFREESBORO -- Farragut pitcher Avery Flatford pumped her fist and joined in the celebration after striking out the final batter in Friday’s state softball championship game against Coffee County. The 4-2 win was two years in the … [Read more...]
Austin-East wins Class A state soccer in PKs over Gatlinburg-Pittman
MURFREESBORO -- It’s likely the feel-good story of the 2021 Spring Fling. After a year of untold tragedies and horrors at Austin-East, the East Knoxville school found cause for a raucous celebration Friday thanks to an unlikely band of soccer … [Read more...]
Farragut Softball advances to first state final since 1982 with extra-inning win
By MIKE BLACKERBY MURFREESBORO -- Farragut will play for a state Class AAA softball championship Friday. Getting there was a struggle Thursday night against Summit. The Lady Admirals, on a night when they weren’t at their best, summoned all of … [Read more...]
THEY MEET AGAIN: Gibbs and Pigeon Forge to face off Friday for Class AA baseball championship
MURFREESBORO -- Two district rivals. Two old foes. The storyline doesn't get much spicier for Friday's Class AA state baseball championship. Pigeon Forge and Gibbs, which have played four times already this season, will battle once more … [Read more...]
Eighth- and ninth-grade standouts lead Webb Lady Spartans to fourth place in state track & field
MURFREESBORO -- A pair of young guns led the charge for Webb’s girls at Wednesday’s Division II-A state track and field championships at Rockvale High School. Eighth grade jumper Lennox Langham and ninth grader distance runner Anna Graves racked up … [Read more...]
Youth-laden Gibbs softball holds own in loss to defending champs; Lady Eagles must win twice Thursday
By MIKE BLACKERBY MURFREESBORO -- The final score suggested otherwise, but Gibbs held its own for six innings Wednesday against defending state Class AA softball champion Forrest. A five-run uprising in the top of the ninth gave the powerhouse Lady … [Read more...]
Farragut softball continues its course toward Class AAA championship game
BY MIKE BLACKERBY MURFREESBORO -- At this stage, nothing figures to come easy from here on out. Nonetheless, Farragut continued its march through the winner’s bracket of the state Class AAA softball tournament on Wednesday as the Lady Admirals … [Read more...]
CLASS AA SOFTBALL – Gibbs starts week with win; Union County falls into losers’ bracket
BY MIKE BLACKERBY MURFREESBORO -- East Tennessee went one for two Tuesday in the opening day of the state Class AA softball tournament. Gibbs, making its 34th state tournament appearance, pinned a 6-0 setback on Greenbrier. The Eagles (30-11) move … [Read more...]
Bay Griffin continues to ‘be awesome’ for CAK baseball; Warriors on mission for four-peat
By MIKE BLACKERBY MURFREESBORO -- Bay Griffin isn’t going to dazzle with his metrics, but Christian Academy coach Tommy Pharr wouldn’t trade his pitching ace for the world. Griffin went the distance for the Warriors Tuesday night in a 5-1 win … [Read more...]