By MIKE BLACKERBY Hardin Valley has set the standard for track and field in East Tennessee over the last decade, and 2021 will be no different. Both the HVA boys and girls appear to be the teams to beat in the 5Star Preps coverage area once … [Read more...]
Ole Miss signee Catelyn Riley off to a blazing start for 2019 Class AAA champ Jefferson County
By MIKE BLACKERBY DANDRIDGE – To beat Jefferson County you’ve got to go through Ole Miss signee Catelyn Riley. Good luck solving her overpowering pitching or checking her big bat at the plate. … [Read more...]
NEW QB1s: Grace Christian football program will have new coach and new QB in 2021
By MIKE BLACKERBY Despite some heavy losses to graduation, you get the feeling that Grace Christian’s offense is in good hands with first-year coach Justin Long. The former Fulton standout and Carson-Newman graduate was named Rams coach in December … [Read more...]
Early mistakes to be expected; but Powell softball (2-0) is off to a strong start in 2021
By MIKE BLACKERBY Sifting through the mistakes and errors, Powell High School’s softball team still looks as good as advertised just two games into the 2021 season. … [Read more...]
5STAR PREPS 2021 Softball Preview
By MIKE BLACKERBY It seems like forever since we’ve had softball. COVID-19 wiped out the 2020 season, robbing area teams Jefferson County and The King’s Academy of the opportunities to defend their 2019 state championships. The lost season leaves … [Read more...]
New QB1s: West Rebels graduate Baker Dance but have options for 2021
By MIKE BLACKERBY West coach Lamar Brown was a big Baker Dance fan. Replacing Dance, a two-year starter at quarterback for the Rebels, will be one of the keys for West pointing to the 2021 high school football season. Dance, who led the Rebels to … [Read more...]
ANOTHER TRY: Greeneville knocks off Fulton in Class AA state sectionals in consecutive years
By MIKE BLACKERBY GREENEVILLE – Standout guard Jakobi Gillespie of Greeneville was questionable for Monday’s state sectional game against Fulton after turning his left ankle during the final five minutes of practice on Sunday. It didn’t take long … [Read more...]
GRAINGER GOING AGAIN: Lady Grizzlies snag a hard-fought win over Alcoa to return to state
By MIKE BLACKERBY RUTLEDGE – Senior-led Grainger got a big lift from junior Audrey Stratton on Saturday against Alcoa in the state Class AA sectionals. In fact, Stratton may have delivered a season-saving performance in the second half as the Lady … [Read more...]
Perfect 29-0 against Division I teams, Bearden defense intensifies as chance at state nears
By MIKE BLACKERBY OAK RIDGE – Defense carried Bearden to the Region 2-AAA championship Thursday against Oak Ridge at Wildcat Arena. The Bulldogs were physical, aggressive and dialed in. It’s a standard the Bulldogs have embraced all season long … [Read more...]
COMEBACK COUGS – Northview Academy, down 16, wins Region 2-AA Championship in overtime
By MIKE BLACKERBY KODAK – Reagan Brown never wavered. Northview Academy needed one more clutch score to continue its improbable comeback and force overtime against Alcoa Wednesday night in the Region 2-AA girls’ championship game. … [Read more...]