BY BRIAN HAMILTON MURFREESBORO – Nobody expected Maryville to be here in November. No one, but themselves, that is. Maryville advanced to the state tournament in 2020, but with their game against Hillsboro being scheduled on March 18, they were unable to play due to the COVID-19 shutdown. Wednesday was the first time that the Rebels were able to actually play in the state tournament since 2015, when they fell to Blackman 65-45 in the Elite 8. The result was not much different nine years later, as the Rebels fell to a sharpshooting Cookeville team 70-60, in a game that …
Maryville defense forces 20 turnovers in 68-28 route of TKA
BY BRIAN HAMILTON SEYMOUR – Maryville got off to a hot start early on Friday night and never looked back, outscoring The King’s Academy 18-5 in the first period, en route to a 40-point, 68-28 win. The Rebels forced 20 TKA turnovers, turning many into points, while only committing three turnovers in the contest. “When your defense has that much pressure it ignites your offense and being able to do that really got us going and got us feeling good about the game,” Maryville coach Wes Lambert said after the game. “When you feel good, you play good. I’m proud …
Lady Lions outlast Maryville in overtime to pick up season sweep over Maryville
BY BRIAN HAMILTON SEYMOUR – The King’s Academy saw a late seven-point cushion evaporate, as Maryville’s Jada Edwards nailed a game-tying three with 20 seconds remaining in regulation, but the Lady Lions were able to outscore the Lady Rebels 9-3 in the overtime period to come away with a 54-48 win on Friday night. “I thought that fighting back as much as we did, we were definitely missing legs (in the overtime period),” Maryville coach Taylor Clark said. “They did a good job of getting it inside and I think we were a little bit timid in there, more timid …
Alcoa tops Maryville 27-14 for first win in rivalry since 2018
BY BRIAN HAMILTON MARYVILLE – Brian Nix became the first Alcoa head coach to win the Battle of Pistol Creek in his first try since Scott Meadows did it in 2000, as the Tornadoes went into Maryville and came away with a 27-14 win Friday night. The Rebels had an opportunity to win the game late, but Jordan Harris came away with an interception return for a touchdown, as Maryville was driving deep into Alcoa territory. “I’m so proud, once again just with their character,” Nix said after the game. “They’re just good kids. I was telling somebody the other …
Maryville routes winless Hardin Valley 61-3
BY BRIAN HAMILTON KNOXVILLE – Maryville jumped out on Hardin Valley early, taking a 28-3 lead in the first quarter and a 45-3 lead at halftime. The Rebels would win the game by a score of 61-3, despite a running clock in the second half. Maryville amassed 398 total yards on 50 plays, while holding Hardin Valley to just 76. “Our goal was to play fast and play with purpose and I thought we did that early on,” Maryville head coach Derek Hunt said. “Obviously, Hardin Valley isn’t having the kind of year they’d like to have, but doesn’t need …