Tyson McFall

Pigeon Forge escapes late 7th inning rally to defeat Sevier County 5-3

BY BRIAN HAMILTON PIGEON FORGE – Sevier County scored three runs in the top of the 7th inning to turn a 5-0 shutout into a 5-3 thriller, as a fatigued Dylan Loy gave up his first runs of the game. Third baseman Trevan Myers moved to the mound for relief and made the last out, striking Mason Ellis out swinging for a 5-3 win on Thursday night. “You know going into it, with Loy, that you’re not going to have that many opportunities,” Sevier County coach Casey Taylor said. “Good arms give you fewer chances to produce and score, so …

Monger signs basketball scholarship with Johnson University

BY BRIAN HAMILTON SEYMOUR – McKenna Monger signed her letter of intent to play basketball at nearby Johnson University on Friday afternoon in the TKA gymnasium. Johnson University head coach Caylee Braziel stated that she discovered McKenna approximately three years ago, and on Friday afternoon, the Lady Royals made the hometown girl one of the family. “I’ve actually been following McKenna since she was a sophomore,” Braziel said. “We got in touch, and we saw her play and loved her presence down low.” While some young college students might want to branch out and explore, Johnson University and Braziel received …

Ryan Hudson

Hudson signs with Welch, becoming second Maryville Christian basketball player to sign scholarship

BY BRIAN HAMILTON MARYVILLE – Ryan Hudson transferred to Maryville Christian from Maryville after the first semester of his freshman year and the rest is history. The shifty and reliable point guard inked a scholarship to play at the next level on Tuesday afternoon, signing with Welch College to become the second Maryville Christian basketball player to do such. “It means a lot. I came here from Maryville (High School) halfway through my ninth-grade year and I wanted to prove that I could play basketball at a high level, and I wanted to do it with this school,” Hudson said. …

Kayle Yates signing

Gatlinburg-Pittman’s Yates signs with Bryan College

BY BRIAN HAMILTON GATLINBURG – Kayle Yates transferred to Gatlinburg-Pittman after spending the first three years of her high school career at Lakeway Christian Academy and will play for her third school in as many years, but this time at the collegiate level. Yates signed her letter of intent to play basketball for NAIA Bryan College on Friday afternoon at Gatlinburg-Pittman High School. “I am definitely blessed that I have this opportunity,” Yates said. “Not a lot of people get this opportunity. I’ve been working a very long time, trying to get this opportunity. Me and (Bryan College) Coach (Bryon) …

Emma Watson

Seymour’s Watson signs to play basketball at Roane State

BY BRIAN HAMILTON SEYMOUR – After missing most of her junior year with injuries and COVID-19, Emma Watson had a stellar senior season, helping lead Seymour to a district and region championship, as the Lady Eagles finished with 29 wins and fell just one short of a berth in the state tournament. Watson said she thought her senior year would be her last on the hardwood. “I went into my senior year without any offers, and no one had asked me anything or reached out because I was out all of last year, being hurt and then with COVID, so …