Alcoa vs West

Alcoa uses strong third quarter to avenge early season loss to West

BY BRIAN HAMILTON KNOXVILLE – Alcoa used a big third quarter to break open a game that was tightly contested early on, as the Tornadoes outscored West by 15 in the period and went on to preserve a 69-59 win. The win avenges a 73-71 loss in the Alcoa Thanksgiving Classic back in late November. It is worth noting that the Tornadoes were missing starters Eli Owens, Eli Graf and several other football players for that contest. “One of our key points to being successful was a fast start and a strong finish,” Alcoa coach Ryan Collins mentioned after the …

Halle Bailey (3) drives against West during the Lady Tornadoes' 72-14 win over the Lady Rebels. Photo by Brian Hamilton

Lady Tornadoes throttle West 72-14 to open 2024

BY BRIAN HAMILTON KNOXVILLE – Alcoa jumped out on West early and never let up, as the Lady Tornadoes found themselves leading by 30 points at halftime, which resulted in Alcoa coach David Baumann playing his entire roster and cruising to a 72-14 win to start 2024. “It gets the right taste in their mouths, obviously (after New Year’s break),” Baumann said after the game. “It gets them back in shape a little bit. We talked about it before the game and during the game and we always want to work on ‘us’ and obviously it was good to get …

Sevier County Bearettes Dominate Spring Valley (WV) in Winterfest Shootout

BY MONTANA FINDLEY SEVIERVILLE — The Sevier County Bearettes were on their home floor for the Winterfest Shootout, where they met the Lady Timberwolves of Spring Valley High School (West Virginia). The Bearettes dominated this one from the opening tip, pulling away to take a 71-51 win. The Bearettes have played in the Winterfest Shootout before, making it to the Championship round on several occasions, but this was the first time that they’ve walked away as champions. Bearettes’ head coach Jonathan Shultz said he told the team going into the game how important it was to win out on their …

Gatlinburg-Pittman Smoky Mountain Winter Classic Champions

Gatlinburg-Pittman dominates Monroe County (KY) 105-66 in Winter Classic final

BY BRIAN HAMILTON GATLINBURG – Ty Glasper had a huge night for Gatlinburg-Pittman, finishing just a couple rebounds and steals shy of a quadruple-double. The junior phenom finished the game with 33 points, 12 assists, eight steals and seven rebounds, as the Highlanders defeated Monroe County (KY) 105-66 to win the Smoky Mountain Winter Classic. “I didn’t even know that I had eight steals,” Glasper said after the game. “I knew about the seven rebounds, but I had no clue about the eight steals. That was a shocker to me.” The Highlanders scored early and often, with Mason Harriss converting …

Gatlinburg-Pittman Smoky Mountain Winter Classic Champions

Lady Highlanders win third tournament of season with 57-44 win over Lebanon in Winter Classic

BY BRIAN HAMILTON GATLINBURG – For the second consecutive game, the Gatlinburg-Pittman had to stave off a fourth-quarter comeback, but the Lady Highlanders were able to take care of business to defeat Lebanon 57-44 in the Smoky Mountain Winter Classic championship. The win improves Gatlinburg-Pittman to 9-0 on the year in tournament play. “I think this is such a good experience for us, because when you go to the state tournament you have to be able to play on back-to-back nights usually and that’s ultimately where we’re trying to get to, our number one goal,” Gatlinburg-Pittman coach Katie Moore said …