Yates

Scotts Hill no match for Lady Highlanders, as Gatlinburg-Pittman advances to second Final Four in school history

BY BRIAN HAMILTON MURFREESBORO – Gatlinburg-Pittman was slated with an early tip-off at 10 a.m. for their Elite 8 matchup with Scotts Hill, but the early tip didn’t affect the Lady Highlanders, as they never trailed, going on to a 68-32 win. “I think the biggest thing we saw on film, was that no one we saw them against really pressured the basketball very well,” Gatlinburg-Pittman coach Katie Moore said. “I think that was something that helped us tremendously. I don’t think they ever got into an offensive flow, just because we were changing defenses and they couldn’t handle our …

Morristown East

Morristown East historic season ends at hands of Dobyns-Bennett 59-55

BY BRIAN HAMILTON DANDRIDGE – Morristown East saw its best season in school history come to an end on Tuesday night, as a barrage of 3-pointers by Dobyns-Bennett’s Jonavan Gillespie spearheaded a late 10-0 Indian run that was too much for the Hurricanes to overcome. Morristown East and Micah Simpson rallied furiously late, but ultimately, Dobyns-Bennett would win 59-55 and advance to the region championship. “Winning is not easy and Dobyns-Bennett has a great team,” Morristown East coach Alden Collins said. “I think so much of the game of basketball is determined by making shots and Gillespie gets off in …

Caleb Tarwater

Smoky Bears suffer heartbreaking loss to Science Hill in regional semis

BY BRIAN HAMILTON DANDRIDGE – Sevier County led by double digits against a 30-win Science Hill team, but the Hilltoppers were too much in the end. Science Hill scored the go-ahead basket with seven seconds to play, but the Smoky Bears had an opportunity to win on the last possession. Gavin Joslin’s three would not fall, however, as the Hilltoppers came away with a 50-49 win. Sevier coach Ken Wright was hurting for his players — including seven graduating seniors — after the game but spoke highly of the team’s effort all season. “These guys competed every night,” Wright said. …

Jordan White

Lady Cougars defeat Clinton 71-57 to advance to region semifinal

BY BRIAN HAMILTON KODAK – On Friday night, Northview Academy had the task of slowing down Tennessee Miss Basketball finalist Sarah Burton and according to Lady Cougars coach Brooke Shelley, it may have been one of the best games they played all year, as Northview never trailed and came away with a 71-57 win. “I think it was the best team effort and team win that we’ve ever had, maybe in this program,” Shelley said. “The girls came out and executed the game plan tonight and they stuck to the game plan. Clinton hit some huge shots and we never …

Maryville Quarterback Carson Jones is corralled by the Oakland defense during the Patriots' 24-14 win.

Rebels’ season ends at the hands of Oakland for second consecutive year

BY BRIAN HAMILTON MARYVILLE – Oakland was able to hold off Maryville 24-14 to advance to its second consecutive state championship next Saturday. The Patriots used its vaunted running game to move the chains and chew up clock, handing Maryville its first home playoff loss since 1999, when the Rebels fell to Knox Central. The two teams met for the eighth straight time in the Class 6A semifinals, and it was only the first time since 2014 that the road team won in the series. Both teams came into this matchup undefeated in 2020 and Oakland walked away with a …