Sevier County

Bearettes jump on Jefferson County early to repeat as District 2 champs

BY BRIAN HAMILTON DANDRIDGE – Sevier County took an early 19-2 lead over Jefferson County and never looked back, as the Bearettes defeated the Lady Patriots 57-34 in the Class 4A District 2 title game Saturday night. The championship was Sevier County’s second straight, one year after replacing all five starters to graduation. “We talked about it today during our pregame; when we start fast, we tend to win,” Sevier County coach Jonathan Schultz said after the game. “On Monday night, when we played here, we didn’t play a great game and I just thought we got outworked, so we …

Clevenger

Cocke County unable to overcome big third quarter by Greeneville in district semis

BY BRIAN HAMILTON GREENEVILLE – Cocke County got off to a hot start, but could not overcome a third quarter, which saw them fall into a 14-point deficit going into the fourth. The Lady Red cut the deficit to two with just over a minute remaining, but it was too little, too late, as Greeneville came away with a 60-56 win and a trip to the Class 3A District 2 title game. “We just quit picking up the ball and they were able to make a bunch of shots and take advantage of what we were doing wrong,” Cocke County …

Heritage-Farragut

Strickland, Rogers have big night to propel Farragut over Heritage in district semis

BY BRIAN HAMILTON MARYVILLE – Heritage kept the Farragut scorers at bay for most of the game, but once Avery Strickland and Keeleigh Rogers got things going in the second half, the Lady Admirals pulled away for a 59-52 win and a third shot at Bearden in the district championship. “We played them in the regular season, tooth and nail, and they beat us by four both games because we didn’t hit a few shots to win the game,” Heritage coach Rick Howard said. “I thought tonight we just missed some crucial layups and a couple threes that you’ve gotta …

William Blount

Bearden routs Lady Govs 68-28 in District 4 semifinal

BY BRIAN HAMILTON MARYVILLE – William Blount hung with Bearden for the first two minutes in Friday’s Class 4A District 4 semifinal, but the Lady Bulldogs enforced their will in the first quarter, turning a 5-5 tie into a 21-5 lead and the rest was history, as Bearden advanced to the district championship game on Monday night. “It’s just of those things where I felt like we had some clean looks and had some good looks and they don’t go down and they’re off to the races,” William Blount coach Jason Kallenberg said. “I told the kids at halftime — …

Seymour-Carter

Lady Eagles hold Carter to single digits in district semifinal

BY BRIAN HAMILTON SEYMOUR – The Lady Eagles jumped out to a 23-0 lead before surrendering a basket to Carter in the teams’ district semifinal matchup on Thursday night. Seymour went on to win 56-8 and advanced to the District 3 championship on Monday night. Thursday night was a milestone, as it was the lowest total Seymour held an opponent to since at least 2000. The next lowest totals came in an 82-10 win over Berean Christian on November 20, 2006, and a 67-11 win over Carter on January 29, 2004. When Emma Collins banked in a three pointer with …