Austin-East takes down rival Fulton 69-67 behind Cherry’s 41

BY BRIAN HAMILTON KNOXVILLE – Austin-East’s brotherly duo of Shane and Condis Cherry finished the game with a combined 58 points (Shane 41, Condis 17), outdueling Fulton’s twin tandem of Taj and Denaj Kimber, who combined for 35 points (Taj 18, Denaj 17) for a 69-67 win, as it was a packed house with standing room only inside Jody Wright Arena on Saturday afternoon. “When I took the job, I knew (the rivalry) was big, but I didn’t know it was this big,” said second-year Austin-East head coach Denard Bertram. “It’s a testament to see the stands packed with both …

‘It feels like it’s been forever’: Lady Cougars defeat Seymour for first time since 2021, end 7-game skid

BY BRIAN HAMILTON KODAK – Northview Academy appeared to be on a mission Friday night, as the Lady Cougars led from start to finish to defeat Seymour 61-50, ending a 7-game losing streak to the Lady Eagles that dated back to the 2020-21 season. “It feels like it’s been forever. It was really good for us mentally, especially this group of seniors, just knowing that we can do it,” Northview Academy coach Brooke Shelley said of the win. “It was such a great team win and such a balanced win. We came out and I thought our intensity was there …

Pigeon Forge-Gatlinburg girls

Lady Highlanders weather slow start to defeat Pigeon Forge 61-21

BY BRIAN HAMILTON PIGEON FORGE – Gatlinburg-Pittman had trouble getting shots to fall early on, as senior Maddy Newman started the game on the bench. Pigeon Forge was able to stay within striking distance in the first quarter, trailing only 8-4, but Newman began to make her presence felt once she entered the game, as the Lady Highlanders cruised to a 61-21 win in the ‘Battle of the Tunnel’ on Tuesday night. “She missed shootaround and didn’t go to the game Friday (at Oneida) because she was sick,” Gatlinburg-Pittman coach Katie Moore said of Newman coming off the bench. Makaylee …

Pigeon Forge-Gatlinburg

Gatlinburg-Pittman routes Pigeon Forge in Battle of the Tunnel

BY BRIAN HAMILTON PIGEON FORGE – In the last edition of the ‘The Battle of the Tunnel’, Ty Glasper scored 60 points in three quarters of play, as Gatlinburg-Pittman defeated Pigeon Forge 92-45 on December 5. The junior point guard was more reserved on Tuesday night, going for almost half that total (28) in an 82-40 win over the Tigers, as the Highlanders started the game on a 24-0 run. “Since we had such a big letdown on Friday (66-61 loss to Oneida), we had to go back to the basics,” Gatlinburg-Pittman coach Rashid Moore said after the game. “We …

Maryville defense forces 20 turnovers in 68-28 route of TKA

BY BRIAN HAMILTON SEYMOUR – Maryville got off to a hot start early on Friday night and never looked back, outscoring The King’s Academy 18-5 in the first period, en route to a 40-point, 68-28 win. The Rebels forced 20 TKA turnovers, turning many into points, while only committing three turnovers in the contest. “When your defense has that much pressure it ignites your offense and being able to do that really got us going and got us feeling good about the game,” Maryville coach Wes Lambert said after the game. “When you feel good, you play good. I’m proud …