Ainsley Pfieffer

Alcoa advances to second consecutive regional final with 73-56 win over South Greene

BY BRIAN HAMILTON GATLINBURG – Alcoa came out hot on Monday night and never took their foot off the gas, as the Lady Tornadoes led by double digits after the first quarter and never let the lead shrink to single-digits again, winning 73-56. The win advances Alcoa to the region championship with an opportunity to face Gatlinburg-Pittman — who defeated Happy Valley later Monday night — for the fourth time this season. Both matchups in Gatlinburg, the Lady Tornadoes have lost, and Wednesday night’s game will be at the same location. “We wanted to give ourselves another shot to get …

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 …

Gatlinburg-Pittman

Gatlinburg-Pittman defeats Alcoa 81-56 for back-to-back district championships

BY BRIAN HAMILTON GATLINBURG – Gatlinburg-Pittman jumped out to a 9-0 lead and never trailed, as the Highlanders won 81-56 to win their second consecutive district championship. Gatlinburg-Pittman withstood a heavy punch by Alcoa in the second quarter, before going on a 14-0 run to lead by 16 at the half. The Highlanders blew the game open in the third quarter, leading by as many as 31 points. Four starts graduated from last season’s district championship team, with Houston Byrd as the only holdover in the starting lineup. One year later, with a retooled starting lineup, and a freshman phenom …

Seymour Girls

Lady Eagles defeat Northview Academy 47-39 for first district title since 2008

BY BRIAN HAMILTON SEYMOUR – It was a game of runs, as each team came out and traded punches in the third quarter, as Northview Academy responded to a 7-0 Seymour run with a 10-0 run of their own. The Lady Eagles dealt the final blow, however, as Seymour held the Lady Eagles scoreless for most of the fourth quarter en route to a 47-39 win and their first district championship since 2008. Seymour head coach Greg Hernandez was a sophomore center for Maryville College the last time the Lady Eagles won a district championship. Seymour defeated Gibbs 49-45 for …

Morristown-East

Morristown-East sets school record for most wins during district championship win over Sevier County

BY BRIAN HAMILTON DANDRIDGE – Morristown-East trailed for much of the game, but when the Hurricanes needed their leader Micah Simpson to answer the call, the senior calmly stepped to the free throw line and knocked down crucial shots. “I was just trying to get to play with the confidence they’ve had all year and reminding them that we’ve won 26 games and we’ve played a tough schedule and have been in adverse situations before,” Morristown-East coach Alden Collins said. “This isn’t anything that we haven’t seen, and we’re prepared for this moment. We have to go out with confidence …