TKA vs Boyd Buchanan

Rollins, Simun lift Lions to first regional final berth in school history

BY BRIAN HAMILTON WHITE PINE – A little over two years ago, Harrison Rollins sat before his coach going into his freshman season and was asked, “What do you want to get out of your four years here at TKA?” The now-junior forward responded, “I want to lead this team to a state tournament.” Rollins is now one step closer to doing just that after scoring a career-high 27 points during The King’s Academy’s impressive 64-53 region semifinal win over Boyd Buchanan on Friday night. The Lions were able to avenge a December loss to the Buccaneers and clinched a …

The King's Academy defeated Grace Baptist Academy 78-36 on Monday night to secure the school's first ever birth in the region semifinals. Photo by Brian Hamilton

Lions advance to first region semifinal in school history with route of Grace Baptist Academy

BY BRIAN HAMILTON SEYMOUR – The King’s Academy advanced to its first regional semifinal in school history on Monday night, as the Lions jumped out to a roaring start and never looked back, pouncing on Grace Baptist Academy 78-36 in the regional quarterfinal. “We’ve never been this far,” King’s Academy head coach Sean Jones said. “I think our guys enjoy each other so much that they just want to win  together. They just want to keep playing. They don’t care about anything else right now. When we set goals at the beginning of the season, it wasn’t that we were …

Bearden vs Heritage

Heritage still searching for first district win after 64-37 setback to Bearden

BY BRIAN HAMILTON WALLAND – Bearden jumped out to an early lead and never looked back during Tuesday night’s contest with Heritage. The Mountaineers entered the contest at 0-4 in district play and still in search of its first district win in two years. Bearden thwarted Tuesday night’s attempt, however, as the Bulldogs jumped out to an early lead and never trailed in the contest, coming away with a 64-37 win. “I didn’t think we played well at all,” Heritage coach Brad Flatford said after the game. “We were prepared and knew what they were going to do, but we looked …

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. …

Alcoa-Tyner Academy

Alcoa comes up short in overtime against Tyner Academy 54-52 in substate sectional

BY BRIAN HAMILTON ALCOA – Jahvin Carter’s two free throws sent the game to overtime and Terrence Dorsey had an opportunity to force a second overtime with one half-second remaining, but the senior missed the first, as the Tornadoes trailed by two. Dorsey laid up a perfect miss off the side of the rim, which was corralled by Jordan Harris, but the putback didn’t fall, as Tyner Academy won 54-52 and advanced to the Elite 8 in Murfreesboro. “Sometimes, when you go all in on something, you’ve got to realize that you could come up heartbroken and I think for …

MCS NACA Championship

Maryville Christian fourth quarter comeback bid falls short in NACA Championship against Teays Valley (WV)

BY BRIAN HAMILTON DAYTON – Maryville Christian found itself down 19 early in the fourth quarter against Teays Valley Christian (WV) and West Virginia commit Josiah Davis, but the Eagles gave a valiant comeback effort, pulling to within four late in the game, but came up just short, falling 73-65 in the NACA Division 5 Championship. Davis would have his way in the paint, throwing down a thunderous dunk late in the game, on his way to 34 points and tournament MVP. “We wanted to eliminate his presence in the paint,” Maryville Christian coach Brian Turbyfill said. “He has great …

Alcoa

Freshmen come up big to help Tornadoes win region championship at Gatlinburg-Pittman

BY BRIAN HAMILTON GATLINBURG – Eli Graf hadn’t attempted a shot for nearly 29 minutes on Thursday night, but with under three minutes remaining in the Class 2A Region Championship, the freshman hit a three to tie the game at 54-54 and then put Alcoa up 57-54 and ahead for good with under two minutes left with another triple. Freshman Eli Owens also pulled down crucial rebounds and made timely baskets throughout the game. “Eli Graf hadn’t taken a shot all game and comes out and sticks two in that big moment, right there, unbelievable,” Alcoa coach Ryan Collins said. …

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. …