By MIKE BLACKERBY Seven-foot junior Handje Tamba was the difference Thursday as Catholic took down visiting Bearden 60-48 in a matchup of two of the top teams on the 5Star Preps coverage map. Tamba scored a career-high 22 points and … [Read more...]
Northview Academy girls’ basketball downs Jefferson County, 55-44; program still yet to peak
By Mike Blackerby DANDRIDGE – Northview Academy’s girls have accomplished much in their short existence as a high school basketball program. The Cougars are 151-30 (83.4 percent) under coach Brooke Shelley since they started playing … [Read more...]
Meigs County claims runner-up in Class 2A for second consecutive season
By MIKE BLACKERBY COOKEVILLE -- Meigs County coach Jason Fitzgerald thought his Tigers were up to the task, but Saturday’s Class 2A title rematch instead turned into a three-peat celebration for Peabody. The Golden Tide (14-0) won their third state … [Read more...]
Elizabethton repeats as Class 4A state champions; Cyclones handle Haywood for 30th win in a row
By MIKE BLACKERBY COOKEVILLE -- Elizabethton just confirmed what most suspected all season long. The Cyclones are the best team in the state in Class 4A for the second year in a row -- and there’s not really any debate. Elizabethton ran its … [Read more...]
Oak Ridge Wildcats finish as 2020 state runner-up in Class 5A; title drought extends
COOKEVILLE -- Oak Ridge quarterback Mitchell Gibbons said one game doesn’t make a season. That’s why Gibbons preferred to look at the big picture after the Wildcats went down in defeat 28-7 to Summit Friday in the BlueCross Bowl Class 5A state … [Read more...]
3A BlueCross Bowl: Alcoa wins sixth consecutive state title; TSSAA-best 19th overall
COOKEVILLE -- Alcoa’s Gary Rankin could finally breathe a sigh of relief. After a season fraught with myriad challenges -- even for a hall of fame coach -- Alcoa wound up back where it was expected to be Friday: clutching a gold football in the … [Read more...]
Meigs County (2A) looks for title No. 1; Elizabethton (4A) wants repeat
By MIKE BLACKERBY For the second consecutive year Elizabethton and Meigs County found their way back to Cookeville. The Class 4A Cyclones and 2A Tigers will represent the 5Star Preps coverage area Saturday in the final day of competition at the … [Read more...]
Tradition-rich Oak Ridge football and Alcoa football look to add to history Friday at state
By MIKE BLACKERBY They’ve survived one of the most remarkable and unusual high school football seasons in history, fending off a gauntlet of opponents and navigating a COVID-19 minefield that changes almost by the minute. Now, it all comes down to … [Read more...]
Hurricanes stay hot: Morristown East boys basketball knocks off Greeneville, 65-53
By MIKE BLACKERBY MORRISTOWN – The quality early season wins are piling up for Morristown East’s boys basketball team. The Hurricanes, playing their fifth opponent that qualified for the state tournament last season, handled Greeneville 65-53 on … [Read more...]
Oak Ridge defense stymies South-Doyle in 14-0 win; Wildcats back to state for first time since 2005
BY MIKE BLACKERBY OAK RIDGE – It has been a long time coming, but it felt like old times at Blankenship Field on Friday night as Oak Ridge moved one victory away from its first state championship in 29 years. The Wildcats won their first semifinal … [Read more...]