Maryville Christian

Maryville Christian falls to Mountain Mission (VA) in overtime 62-52 in the NACA Championship

BY BRIAN HAMILTON DAYTON – Maryville Christian got off to a good start and led Mountain Mission (VA) 24-20 in the NACA Division 4 championship game on Friday afternoon, but a 12-0 run to open the second quarter by the Lady Commanders forced the Lady Eagles to fight from behind most of the second half. Maryville Christian managed to force overtime and nearly win in regulation, but Mountain Mission was on a mission and ended the game on a 10-0 run to win 62-52 in overtime. “They’re a very athletic team and they jump in lanes well,” Maryville Christian coach …

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. …

Seymour Regional

Seymour defeats Northview Academy to earn first region and district title since 2004

BY BRIAN HAMILTON KNOXVILLE – After the district championship game a week ago, Seymour head coach Greg Hernandez was asked if he would like to face Northview Academy a fourth time, a team that played the Lady Eagles tough in all three contests. His answer: “Hell no.” After the two teams went on their separate ways into regional play, it became evident that the two teams were on a collision course yet again. The two teams met at Halls Gymnasium on Wednesday night and the first quarter looked as if it was going to be similar to the other three. …

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. …