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...]
Northview Academy girls beat rival G-P, secure District 3-AA title
By Mike Blackerby KODAK – Northview Academy had a counter for Gatlinburg-Pittman’s plan Friday night. In the process, the Lady Cougars nailed down their second District 3-AA regular season title in a row since moving up in class two years ago. … [Read more...]
BEHIND THE GOGGLES: Maryville center Elmo Gara key in 17-game win streak
BY MIKE BLACKERBY Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Eric Dickerson and Michael Phelps all made wearing goggles cool. Add one more. Maryville basketball player Elmo Gara. But like his much more famous counterparts and their trademark choice of protective eye … [Read more...]
Maples (27 points), Sevier County fend off South-Doyle, 58-54
BY MIKE BLACKERBY SEVIERVILLE – Sevier County had just the player it wanted at the free throw line with the game hanging in the balance Tuesday against South-Doyle. Wes Maples converted both ends of a pair of bonus free opportunities in the final … [Read more...]
5SP STAFF ANALYSIS: Best Player, Best Game, Best Story, Sleepers
The final stretch of the high school basketball regular season is upon us. The postseason is less than a month away, and a few upcoming games will decide playoff seedings and even Mr. and Miss Basketball nominations. The 5Star Preps staff … [Read more...]
Lacrosse growing in popularity and will be a TSSAA sanctioned sport
BY MIKE BLACKERBY Basketball had always been Hailey Carroll’s sport of choice, but she was looking for a change. “I had been playing AAU for years, but come eighth grade I didn’t really want to play basketball anymore,” said the Christian Academy … [Read more...]