By MIKE BLACKERBY RUTLEDGE – Tori Rutherford recently broke the 1,500-point barrier for her career. Ironically, scoring is way down the list of priorities for Grainger’s two-time senior all-state standout. “Many players are more offensive-minded," … [Read more...]
NEW QB1s: 2020 Class 5A runner-up Oak Ridge football moves into new quarterback era
By MIKE BLACKERBY The loss is significant, but Oak Ridge football coach Joe Gaddis is confident the Wildcats will find a capable replacement for record-setting quarterback Mitchell Gibbons in 2021. It won’t be easy, though. Gibbons leaves quite … [Read more...]
Clinton’s 57-52 comeback win over Powell all but clinches the 2-seed for the Dragons
By MIKE BLACKERBY Clinton coach Chris Lockard said he has never had a team shoot so poorly from long range yet still win a basketball game. The usually dead-eye Dragons were 3 of 23 from 3-point range, but found an unlikely path to a 57-52 victory … [Read more...]
Not Your Typical Freshman: Sammy Taylor helping Lady Falcons return to contender status
By MIKE BLACKERBY Sammy Taylor beguiles defenders. Fulton’s standout basketball player is already a master of luring the opposition closer and then blowing past them with her uncanny blend of physicality, quickness and crafty moves off the … [Read more...]
Marcellus Jackson’s motor, Falcons’ shooting lift Fulton basketball past rival Austin-East, 67-55
By MIKE BLACKERBY High-energy sophomore Marcellus Jackson is emerging as a team leader for Fulton. On a night when the Falcons didn’t have their usual pep in their game overall, Jackson was a live wire from the opening tap as Fulton knocked off … [Read more...]
Cosby Lady Eagles rally from 10 down in the second half to knock off Fulton
By MIKE BLACKERBY With no district ramifications at stake, it wasn’t Cosby’s biggest win of the season. Maybe just the most impressive. … [Read more...]
THE NEW QB1s: Halls will replace program’s all-time passer in 2021
By MIKE BLACKERBY Quarterback play has never been more important. That’s why a big key to success in 2021 for the Halls High School football team is the development of Caden Cummings. … [Read more...]
Sevier County girls win in OT, win 1-seed; Jefferson County boys upset Sevier County
There's a lot to unpack here in this doubleheader from Sevier County at Jefferson County. And 5Star preps writer Mike Blackerby does it masterfully. From the overtime win by the Sevier County girls to the big-time upset by the Jefferson County … [Read more...]
5Star Preps Football Coach of the Year (2020): Joe Gaddis, Oak Ridge High School
By MIKE BLACKERBY The outlook was bleak for Oak Ridge football at midseason. The turnaround was stunning. The Wildcats overcame a 2-3 start to win their next nine games and advance to the Class 5A state championship game against Summit. Despite a … [Read more...]
5Star Preps Offensive Player of the Year (2020): Parker Hughes, Elizabethton High School
By MIKE BLACKERBY Beyond the eye-popping statistics, the awards and the accolades, Elizabethton football coach Shawn Witten said Parker Hughes set the standard for all others who follow in Carter County. “There are guys that come through your … [Read more...]