Caleb Tarwater

Smoky Bears suffer heartbreaking loss to Science Hill in regional semis

BY BRIAN HAMILTON DANDRIDGE – Sevier County led by double digits against a 30-win Science Hill team, but the Hilltoppers were too much in the end. Science Hill scored the go-ahead basket with seven seconds to play, but the Smoky Bears had an opportunity to win on the last possession. Gavin Joslin’s three would not fall, however, as the Hilltoppers came away with a 50-49 win. Sevier coach Ken Wright was hurting for his players — including seven graduating seniors — after the game but spoke highly of the team’s effort all season. “These guys competed every night,” Wright said. …

Gatlinburg-Pittman

Gatlinburg-Pittman defeats Alcoa 81-56 for back-to-back district championships

BY BRIAN HAMILTON GATLINBURG – Gatlinburg-Pittman jumped out to a 9-0 lead and never trailed, as the Highlanders won 81-56 to win their second consecutive district championship. Gatlinburg-Pittman withstood a heavy punch by Alcoa in the second quarter, before going on a 14-0 run to lead by 16 at the half. The Highlanders blew the game open in the third quarter, leading by as many as 31 points. Four starts graduated from last season’s district championship team, with Houston Byrd as the only holdover in the starting lineup. One year later, with a retooled starting lineup, and a freshman phenom …

Morristown-East

Morristown-East sets school record for most wins during district championship win over Sevier County

BY BRIAN HAMILTON DANDRIDGE – Morristown-East trailed for much of the game, but when the Hurricanes needed their leader Micah Simpson to answer the call, the senior calmly stepped to the free throw line and knocked down crucial shots. “I was just trying to get to play with the confidence they’ve had all year and reminding them that we’ve won 26 games and we’ve played a tough schedule and have been in adverse situations before,” Morristown-East coach Alden Collins said. “This isn’t anything that we haven’t seen, and we’re prepared for this moment. We have to go out with confidence …

Carter-Seymour

Carter routs Seymour 81-47 for district title behind McNew’s 23 points

BY BRIAN HAMILTON SEYMOUR – Dalton McNew paced Carter early, scoring 16 first quarter points and 23 in the first half, to help guide the Hornets to an 81-47 win over Seymour and a Class 3A District 3 title. Carter wrapped up its district schedule Monday night with a record of 5-1 with the lone loss coming a week ago at Northview Academy (3-2 District 3). “It means a lot to win your district, no matter who you are, or what it is,” Carter head coach Tyler Cate said after the game. “It definitely means a lot, but there could …

MCS-TCP

Maryville Christian blows out Tennessee Christian Prep behind big second half from English

BY BRIAN HAMILTON MARYVILLE – The Eagles jumped out to an early lead and never trailed during a 72-44 win over Tennessee Christian Prep from Cleveland, Tenn. Senior Ryan English would score 18 of his game-high 26 points in the second half, helping Maryville Christian pull away. “We’re always comfortable when English catches the basketball,” Maryville Christian head coach Brian Turbyfill. “He’s done a great job of finishing around the rim and then also, when people collapse on him, he’s used to kicking it out and finding our shooters, so anytime he touches the basketball, we have a really good …