Lady Lions outlast Maryville in overtime to pick up season sweep over Maryville

BY BRIAN HAMILTON SEYMOUR – The King’s Academy saw a late seven-point cushion evaporate, as Maryville’s Jada Edwards nailed a game-tying three with 20 seconds remaining in regulation, but the Lady Lions were able to outscore the Lady Rebels 9-3 in the overtime period to come away with a 54-48 win on Friday night. “I thought that fighting back as much as we did, we were definitely missing legs (in the overtime period),” Maryville coach Taylor Clark said. “They did a good job of getting it inside and I think we were a little bit timid in there, more timid …

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 …