By Mike Blackerby Fulton’s lockdown defense was the difference Tuesday night as the Falcons snapped a four-game losing streak to Oak Ridge in the regular season finale for both teams in Knoxville. The inspired play of junior point guard Edward … [Read more...]
Senior Night a success; Northview Academy girls now ready for postseason
BY MIKE BLACKERBY KODAK – Northview Academy’s girls look to be on a mission. The Lady Cougars (23-4) wrapped up another stellar regular season with a convincing 51-42 victory over Jefferson County Friday on senior night. … [Read more...]
GIRLS: Bearden nabs hard-fought, 37-36 OT win over Maryville; ties for district lead
By Mike Blackerby There were two significant takeaways from Bearden’s 37-36 overtime win over Maryville’s girls in a Tuesday District 4-AAA showdown marked by great defense, lousy shooting and turnovers aplenty on both sides. The victory puts the … [Read more...]
Oak Ridge retires Tee Higgins’ jersey number, just the third in Wildcats’ history
By Mike Blackerby OAK RIDGE – Tee Higgins, just like he did during his spectacular playing days at Oak Ridge High School, rocked the house one more time Friday night at Wildcat Arena. Now a star receiver for national champion Clemson, Higgins had … [Read more...]
Oak Ridge girls avenge early season loss to Campbell County, 74-44
BY MIKE BLACKERBY OAK RIDGE — Oak Ridge’s swarming defense and another lethal offensive showing by senior point guard Jada Guinn turned Friday’s District 3-AAA showdown against Campbell County into an unexpected runaway. … [Read more...]
Mr. Football’s Double-Double leads Fulton past West, 60-52
By Mike Blackerby There were takeaways aplenty on both sides following Fulton’s 60-52 non-district win over visiting West on Thursday night. Some were positive, others were obvious teaching moments. … [Read more...]
(FREE READ): Local wrestling teams head to TSSAA State Dual Championships
By Mike Blackerby The marathon on the mats is well underway. Coming on the heels of last week’s regional dual meets, postseason high school wrestling really heats up Friday and Saturday with the state dual championships in Franklin. Locally, … [Read more...]
GIRLS HOOPS: Grainger gets revenge on South Greene, 73-59; now tied for district lead
MIKE BLACKERBY RUTLEDGE -- A really young Grainger girls’ basketball team took a really big step Monday. The Lady Grizzlies, riding the hot hand of sophomore Lauren Longmire, snapped a seven-game losing streak against South Greene thanks to a … [Read more...]
5SP Defensive POY: Central’s Xavier Washington proved to be something special
By Mike Blackerby It was likely not just happenstance. Xavier Washington’s arrival at Central coincided with the turnaround of the Bobcats’ struggling football program. Washington took the field in 2015 as a promising, yet rawboned … [Read more...]
5SP Coach of the Year: Bryson Rosser returned Central to state prominence
By Mike Blackerby Bryson Rosser said the first step in building a successful football program has nothing to do with the Xs and Os. It’s all about cultivating relationships, said the Central coach. It’s a philosophy ingrained in Rosser since he … [Read more...]