Girls' Basketball
Saturday, March 14, 2026
Girls' State Tournament Notebook
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The Class 3A Semifinals produced two dramatic games, with standout individual performances shining through. Chelby Jordan delivered a dominant performance, pouring in 30 points (10-of-17 FG, 9-of-10 FT), grabbing seven rebounds, and blocking two shots to lead Dyersburg to a 61-53 victory over Alcoa. Harper Stinnett answered with 22 points for the Tornadoes in a losing effort. In the nightcap, Karmine Carmichael was the best player on the floor in defeat, exploding for 23 points and 10 rebounds for Cocke County, but White County advanced 46-43 behind Gracie Clark’s 16 points and Ashlyn Selby’s 13. Bella Winningham’s clutch layup with 57 seconds remaining proved to be the decisive basket in a thrilling finish.
Sevier County and Cookeville advanced to the TSSAA Class 4A state championship after gritty semifinal wins. Kaliyah Burden was the standout of the day on the defensive end, scoring a game-high 16 points and helping Sevier Co. dominate the glass (16-7 offensive rebounding edge) in a 34-26 grind-it-out victory over Blackman. In the nightcap, Cara Gilbert (24 points) and Allie Gillies (23 points) formed a lethal guard tandem that powered Cookeville to a 74-68 win over Bartlett. Though Samiya Jones posted 19 points and Bartlett shot 51% from the field, Cookeville’s superiority in 3-point shooting, rebounding, and a blistering 75% fourth quarter proved decisive.
The remaining matchups were defensive struggles defined by clutch guard play and late-game execution. Ava Ashley was the catalyst for Wayne Co., dropping 22 points, snagging 8 rebounds, and recording 5 steals in a gritty 37-32 win over Gordonsville. Similarly, Harmony Bell led Middleton with 18 points, sealing a 43-33 victory over North Greene by going a perfect 6-for-6 from the free-throw line in the final minute and a half. Despite North Greene's Tralyn Southerland posting a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds in a losing effort, Middleton’s defense forced 19 turnovers to advance alongside the other three victors.
Meanwhile, York Institute and Loretto utilized stifling defense to pull away from their opponents and book their spots in the semifinals. York Institute clamped down defensively in the second quarter, holding Westview to just one point to build a lead they never surrendered in a 44-36 win, with Emma Pile sealing the victory by scoring 11 points in the final period. Loretto delivered the most dominant performance of the round, using a massive 16-3 run in the second quarter to blow past McMinn Central 72-46; the balanced attack was led by Kinlee Stutts with 17 points and Sophie Weathers, who added 16 points and 11 rebounds.
In contrast, Cocke Co. and Alcoa survived early struggles to mount impressive comebacks and secure semifinal spots. Cocke Co. erased a 13-point deficit against Liberty Creek, launching a 14-0 run in the second quarter to take the lead before Ava Wheeler's 19 points and 93% free-throw shooting in the final period sealed the 59-44 win. Alcoa provided the late-game drama, rallying from a second-half deficit to defeat Tullahoma 48-44. Trailing for the majority of the game, Alcoa outscored Tullahoma 14-7 in the fourth quarter, capped by Gwen Carroll's go-ahead basket and Brylee Flatt's decisive jumper with 13 seconds remaining.
The remaining matchups were defined by resilience and clutch execution, as both Bartlett and Cookeville secured hard-fought comeback wins. Bartlett withstood a furious fourth-quarter rally to edge Bearden 77-73, relying on an 87% free-throw percentage and 23 bench points from Amare Boothe to survive Natalya Hodge’s 31-point explosion. Meanwhile, Cookeville erased a 10-point first-quarter deficit to defeat Page 55-47, seizing control in the third quarter behind the combined 33 points of Cara and Callie Gilbert to complete the comeback.
Semifinal Friday
Huntingdon and York Institute secured their spots in the Class 2A state championship game following decisive and dramatic semifinal victories. Huntingdon overwhelmed Gatlinburg-Pittman 65-42 behind a standout performance from Wylie Kee, who tallied 22 points, 15 rebounds, and five assists, supported by Knox Bennett’s efficient 20-point outing. Meanwhile, York Institute escaped with a 43-41 nail-biter against Loretto, spurred by Emma Pile’s game-high 19 points and a suffocating defensive stand that held Loretto scoreless over the final four minutes. Although Loretto's Sophie Weathers shined with 14 points on perfect three-point shooting, Raylee Werner's go-ahead bucket helped York complete a late 6-0 run to advance.The Class 3A Semifinals produced two dramatic games, with standout individual performances shining through. Chelby Jordan delivered a dominant performance, pouring in 30 points (10-of-17 FG, 9-of-10 FT), grabbing seven rebounds, and blocking two shots to lead Dyersburg to a 61-53 victory over Alcoa. Harper Stinnett answered with 22 points for the Tornadoes in a losing effort. In the nightcap, Karmine Carmichael was the best player on the floor in defeat, exploding for 23 points and 10 rebounds for Cocke County, but White County advanced 46-43 behind Gracie Clark’s 16 points and Ashlyn Selby’s 13. Bella Winningham’s clutch layup with 57 seconds remaining proved to be the decisive basket in a thrilling finish.
Sevier County and Cookeville advanced to the TSSAA Class 4A state championship after gritty semifinal wins. Kaliyah Burden was the standout of the day on the defensive end, scoring a game-high 16 points and helping Sevier Co. dominate the glass (16-7 offensive rebounding edge) in a 34-26 grind-it-out victory over Blackman. In the nightcap, Cara Gilbert (24 points) and Allie Gillies (23 points) formed a lethal guard tandem that powered Cookeville to a 74-68 win over Bartlett. Though Samiya Jones posted 19 points and Bartlett shot 51% from the field, Cookeville’s superiority in 3-point shooting, rebounding, and a blistering 75% fourth quarter proved decisive.
Class 1A
The Class 1A quarterfinals showcased a mix of dominant victories and thrilling finishes, headlined by Bailey Blair’s monster performance for Richland. Blair scored 28 points and grabbed 10 rebounds to propel Richland to a decisive 61-40 win over Coalfield, where the team’s 44-26 rebounding edge proved decisive. In a stark contrast, Greenfield pulled off a dramatic last-second comeback to edge Van Buren 41-40. Trailing by six with over a minute remaining, Greenfield closed on a 7-0 run, capped by Rayanna Fisher’s go-ahead three-pointer with 22 seconds left, while Skylar Arnold anchored the interior with 11 points, a game-high 18 rebounds, and five blocks.The remaining matchups were defensive struggles defined by clutch guard play and late-game execution. Ava Ashley was the catalyst for Wayne Co., dropping 22 points, snagging 8 rebounds, and recording 5 steals in a gritty 37-32 win over Gordonsville. Similarly, Harmony Bell led Middleton with 18 points, sealing a 43-33 victory over North Greene by going a perfect 6-for-6 from the free-throw line in the final minute and a half. Despite North Greene's Tralyn Southerland posting a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds in a losing effort, Middleton’s defense forced 19 turnovers to advance alongside the other three victors.
Class 2A
The Class 2A quarterfinals were defined by dramatic rallies and clutch performances as Gatlinburg-Pittman and Huntingdon secured narrow victories to advance. Gatlinburg-Pittman erased a 12-point first-quarter deficit, overcoming a disastrous three-point opening frame to defeat Gibson Co. 60-55; the Highlanders were powered by Addison Wear's 17 points and Cheyenne Byrd’s back-to-back fourth-quarter three-pointers that provided the decisive lead. In a seesaw battle, Huntingdon survived a late push from Smith Co. to win 60-57, largely thanks to Wylie Kee’s dominant 19-point, 19-rebound double-double and Ellie Wilson’s matching 19 points, which helped them withstand Smith Co.'s late three-pointers.Meanwhile, York Institute and Loretto utilized stifling defense to pull away from their opponents and book their spots in the semifinals. York Institute clamped down defensively in the second quarter, holding Westview to just one point to build a lead they never surrendered in a 44-36 win, with Emma Pile sealing the victory by scoring 11 points in the final period. Loretto delivered the most dominant performance of the round, using a massive 16-3 run in the second quarter to blow past McMinn Central 72-46; the balanced attack was led by Kinlee Stutts with 17 points and Sophie Weathers, who added 16 points and 11 rebounds.
Class 3A
The Class 3A quarterfinals were defined by standout performances from Gracie Clark and Chelby Jordan, who led their respective teams to convincing victories. White Co. pulled away in the second half behind Clark's 31 points and 11 rebounds, turning a competitive game into a 69-49 win with a decisive 28-15 third quarter. The team dominated the paint and forced 25 turnovers, while Bella Winningham contributed a double-double with 13 rebounds and seven assists. Dyersburg also rolled to a win, as Jordan's double-double of 18 points and 12 rebounds paced a 46-34 victory over Daniel Boone. Dyersburg capitalized on a 14-2 second-quarter run to build an insurmountable lead, holding Daniel Boone to just 23 percent shooting from the field.In contrast, Cocke Co. and Alcoa survived early struggles to mount impressive comebacks and secure semifinal spots. Cocke Co. erased a 13-point deficit against Liberty Creek, launching a 14-0 run in the second quarter to take the lead before Ava Wheeler's 19 points and 93% free-throw shooting in the final period sealed the 59-44 win. Alcoa provided the late-game drama, rallying from a second-half deficit to defeat Tullahoma 48-44. Trailing for the majority of the game, Alcoa outscored Tullahoma 14-7 in the fourth quarter, capped by Gwen Carroll's go-ahead basket and Brylee Flatt's decisive jumper with 13 seconds remaining.
Class 4A
TheClass 4A quarterfinals featured dominant interior play and stifling defense, as Blackman and Sevier Co. advanced with convincing victories. Blackman overwhelmed Collierville 54-30, fueled by Layla Hall’s dominant double-double of 22 points and 18 rebounds, which helped power a massive 53-27 rebounding advantage. Sevier Co. delivered the round's biggest upset by knocking off previously undefeated Bradley Central 52-34; Kaliyah Burden led the way with 16 points, while the team's defense stifled their opponents in the second quarter to build an insurmountable lead.The remaining matchups were defined by resilience and clutch execution, as both Bartlett and Cookeville secured hard-fought comeback wins. Bartlett withstood a furious fourth-quarter rally to edge Bearden 77-73, relying on an 87% free-throw percentage and 23 bench points from Amare Boothe to survive Natalya Hodge’s 31-point explosion. Meanwhile, Cookeville erased a 10-point first-quarter deficit to defeat Page 55-47, seizing control in the third quarter behind the combined 33 points of Cara and Callie Gilbert to complete the comeback.
