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

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 …

Gatlinburg-Pittman vs Riverside (SC)

Lady Highlanders hold off Riverside (SC) to advance to Winter Classic final

BY BRIAN HAMILTON GATLINBURG – The Winterfest Shootout is the girls basketball tournament being played at Sevier County High School this week, but the Lady Highlanders found themselves in a winter shootout in the Smoky Mountain Winter Classic at Gatlinburg on Thursday night. The Lady Highlanders scored early and often, but so did Riverside (SC), as the two teams traded baskets throughout much of the first half. Gatlinburg-Pittman saw a 15 point lead almost evaporate before the half, due the Lady Warriors three-point shooting, but were able to push the lead back to 20 in the third quarter before having …

Sevier County vs Cullman

Bearettes dominate Cullman (AL) 55-12 in Winterfest Shootout

BY BRIAN HAMILTON SEVIERVILLE – Before most folks in attendance could get in their seats for the second of a quadruple-header at the Winterfest Shootout between Sevier County and Cullman on Wednesday evening, Sevier County had raced out to a 22-1 lead early in the first quarter. Sevier County would use the commanding first quarter lead to cruise to a 55-12 win and advance to the tournament semifinals. “After the first quarter, my biggest criticism was the missed shots at the basket,” Sevier County coach Jonathan Shultz said after the game. “We missed some shots at the basket that I feel …

Heritage Northview

Smoky Mountain Sports Girl’s Top-10 (11/26)

Week 2 Top-10 Rankings Gatlinburg-Pittman (5-0) (11) Bearden (4-0) (8) Heritage (5-0) (1) Sevier County (4-1) Northview Academy (4-1) Seymour (3-1) The King’s Academy (2-2) Farragut (4-2) Morristown East (4-1) Pigeon Forge (3-0)

Glasper

Smoky Mountain Sports Girl’s Top-10 (11/19)

Week 1 Top-10 Rankings Gatlinburg-Pittman (2-0) (13) Bearden (1-0) (7) Heritage (2-0) Sevier County (2-0) Northview Academy (3-0) The King’s Academy (0-1) Seymour (2-0) Alcoa (2-1) Farragut (2-1) Morristown East (3-0)    

The King's Academy Lady Lions

Back in the saddle again: Lady Lions outlast Providence Christian to earn Final Four berth

BY BRIAN HAMILTON SEYMOUR – They were partying like it was 2020 in Tibbets Gymnasium on Friday night, as the TKA girl’s basketball team earned its first trip to the Final Four since 2020. TKA defeated Providence Christian 71-62 on Friday night, in a neck-and-neck game that was much closer than the final score indicated. Seniors Juleigh Anne Tucker and Leah Thornton were freshmen on the 2020 team and the only two players on the roster who have experience playing in a state tournament, as reserves. This time, Tucker played a much bigger role than 2020, as her 28 points and six …