Boys' Basketball
Saturday, March 21, 2026
Boys' State Tournament Notebook
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Westview and Chattanooga Prep advanced to the TSSAA championship game in Class 2A. Westview erased a halftime deficit to defeat Smith County 47-37, using a suffocating second-half defense and a decisive 9-2 fourth-quarter run capped by an Arden Smith dunk. The Panthers owned the glass (36-19) and the paint, led by a standout defensive effort from Smith (11 points, 10 rebounds, 7 blocks) and a double-double from Miles Brown (14 points, 11 rebounds). Cooper Williams kept Smith County competitive with a game-high 21 points. In the other semifinal, Chattanooga Prep delivered a wire-to-wire thrashing of Loretto, 67-44, jumping out to a 16-3 lead after one quarter. The Sentinels showcased outstanding ball movement (21 assists) and balance, with Reid Conley and Derrick Roberson each scoring 19 points. Roberson added 10 rebounds and 4 blocks, while Joel Bulis dominated the boards with 15 rebounds. Mason Tidwell posted an impressive 20-point, 10-rebound effort for Loretto in defeat.
In the TSSAA Class 3A semifinals, Alcoa and Knoxville Fulton punched their tickets to the state championship with contrasting victories on Friday. Alcoa pulled away from Tullahoma 66-47 behind Jay Kirk’s game-high 23 points and a dominant fourth quarter, using 23 forced turnovers to generate a 25-12 edge in points off turnovers and a staggering 31-4 advantage in fast-break points. Jamir Dean, Condis Cherry, and Jibriel Koko all added double figures in a balanced attack. In the day’s most dramatic game, Knoxville Fulton survived Upperman 54-51 despite an incredible 33-point explosion from Ty Cobb. Nick Steen anchored the Bulldogs with 8 points, 12 rebounds, and 6 assists, while Justin Burris delivered the clutch performance of the round, sinking four straight free throws in the final minute to seal the win. Fulton’s depth and 20-6 advantage in points off turnovers proved decisive in a back-and-forth battle. Cobb’s 33-point masterpiece stood as the individual highlight of the semifinals.
Bartlett and Walker Valley advanced to the Class 4A state championship game after hard-fought semifinal victories on Friday. Bartlett delivered one of the most efficient performances of the tournament, shooting a blistering 73% from the floor in a 71-61 win over Bearden. Dylan Jones led all scorers with 22 points on an outstanding 9-of-11 shooting, while Braylon Williams added 20 points with equal efficiency; Axton Perry contributed 11 points and a game-high 6 rebounds. In the day’s most dramatic contest, Walker Valley survived a furious late rally from Whitehaven to win 52-50. Zach Davis paced the Mustangs with 18 points, and Turner Clayton delivered 14 points, including four clutch free throws in the final minute to seal the victory. Whitehaven was led by Isaiah Grant’s 15 points and a monster 14-point, 15-rebound double-double from Aliyu Abubakar. Both advancing teams now prepare for what promises to be an exciting state title matchup.
In the most entertaining game of the day, undefeated Eagleville survived a thriller against Pickett Co. 69-66 behind 24-point performances from both James Bega (five 3-pointers) and Camden Cole, who scored 15 of his points in the fourth quarter. Cole Amonett nearly engineered the upset for Pickett Co., exploding for 23 points with 17 coming in the final period. Between the efficient scoring of McCrary and Helton, the clutch fourth-quarter execution of Taylor, Graves, and Cole, and Eagleville’s duo, the round showcased an impressive collection of standout performers.
The most dramatic game came in the afternoon as Smith County survived a furious comeback to edge Lewis County 61-60. Cooper Williams (20 points) and Morgan Sinclair (17 points, 5 threes) built a big lead, only for Dakota Hull and Maddox Tanner (both 20 points) to nearly steal the game for Lewis County with a late flurry, including Tanner’s three-pointer with four seconds left. The quarterfinals were defined by elite frontcourt play, led by Tidwell’s monster outing, Smith’s complete performance, and Chattanooga Prep’s double-double tandem.
Nick Steen delivered the most dominant individual showing of the quarterfinals, posting 23 points and 12 rebounds to lead Knoxville Fulton to a 59-50 win over Portland. On the other side of the bracket, Alcoa cruised into the semifinals with a 77-33 rout of Fayette-Ware. Jamir Dean paced the balanced Alcoa attack with 18 points and 9 rebounds, while teammate Jay Kirk turned in a strong all-around effort in defeat with 16 points, 9 rebounds, 4 steals, and 3 blocks. Alcoa’s defense was stifling, holding Fayette-Ware to just 21 percent shooting for the game.
Walker Valley and Whitehaven advanced with more decisive victories. Zach Davis dominated the paint and perimeter for Walker Valley, finishing with 21 points and 7 rebounds in a 76-58 win over Farragut as the Mustangs pulled away with a strong fourth quarter. The most lopsided result came from Whitehaven, which dismantled Blackman 71-41 behind a blistering shooting display. Ja’Michael Mitchell led the way with 17 points, while Kiyan Mitchell added 12 points and 8 assists in a balanced attack that saw Whitehaven shoot 63% from the field and an incredible 67% from beyond the arc.
Semifinals
The Class 1A semifinals delivered two dramatic finishes as Jackson Co. and Humboldt advanced to the state championship game. Jackson Co. erased a 13-point halftime deficit (26-16), outscoring Memphis Middle College 26-10 in the third quarter en route to a 54-49 victory. Will McCrary dominated the game with a double-double of 21 points and 12 rebounds, while Alex Meadows delivered the decisive layup with 10 seconds remaining. In the nightcap, Jakevious Graves was sensational, pouring in a game-high 31 points and drilling the game-winning three-pointer with five seconds left to lift Humboldt past previously unbeaten Eagleville, 65-62. Graves was supported by Darion Taylor’s 21 points and 8 rebounds, while Camden Cole led Eagleville with 24 points in a heartbreaking defeat.Westview and Chattanooga Prep advanced to the TSSAA championship game in Class 2A. Westview erased a halftime deficit to defeat Smith County 47-37, using a suffocating second-half defense and a decisive 9-2 fourth-quarter run capped by an Arden Smith dunk. The Panthers owned the glass (36-19) and the paint, led by a standout defensive effort from Smith (11 points, 10 rebounds, 7 blocks) and a double-double from Miles Brown (14 points, 11 rebounds). Cooper Williams kept Smith County competitive with a game-high 21 points. In the other semifinal, Chattanooga Prep delivered a wire-to-wire thrashing of Loretto, 67-44, jumping out to a 16-3 lead after one quarter. The Sentinels showcased outstanding ball movement (21 assists) and balance, with Reid Conley and Derrick Roberson each scoring 19 points. Roberson added 10 rebounds and 4 blocks, while Joel Bulis dominated the boards with 15 rebounds. Mason Tidwell posted an impressive 20-point, 10-rebound effort for Loretto in defeat.
In the TSSAA Class 3A semifinals, Alcoa and Knoxville Fulton punched their tickets to the state championship with contrasting victories on Friday. Alcoa pulled away from Tullahoma 66-47 behind Jay Kirk’s game-high 23 points and a dominant fourth quarter, using 23 forced turnovers to generate a 25-12 edge in points off turnovers and a staggering 31-4 advantage in fast-break points. Jamir Dean, Condis Cherry, and Jibriel Koko all added double figures in a balanced attack. In the day’s most dramatic game, Knoxville Fulton survived Upperman 54-51 despite an incredible 33-point explosion from Ty Cobb. Nick Steen anchored the Bulldogs with 8 points, 12 rebounds, and 6 assists, while Justin Burris delivered the clutch performance of the round, sinking four straight free throws in the final minute to seal the win. Fulton’s depth and 20-6 advantage in points off turnovers proved decisive in a back-and-forth battle. Cobb’s 33-point masterpiece stood as the individual highlight of the semifinals.
Bartlett and Walker Valley advanced to the Class 4A state championship game after hard-fought semifinal victories on Friday. Bartlett delivered one of the most efficient performances of the tournament, shooting a blistering 73% from the floor in a 71-61 win over Bearden. Dylan Jones led all scorers with 22 points on an outstanding 9-of-11 shooting, while Braylon Williams added 20 points with equal efficiency; Axton Perry contributed 11 points and a game-high 6 rebounds. In the day’s most dramatic contest, Walker Valley survived a furious late rally from Whitehaven to win 52-50. Zach Davis paced the Mustangs with 18 points, and Turner Clayton delivered 14 points, including four clutch free throws in the final minute to seal the victory. Whitehaven was led by Isaiah Grant’s 15 points and a monster 14-point, 15-rebound double-double from Aliyu Abubakar. Both advancing teams now prepare for what promises to be an exciting state title matchup.
Class 1A Quarterfinals
Darion Taylor led the way with a game-high 25 points as Humboldt pulled away from Unaka 64-53, while teammate Jakevious Graves chipped in 19 points, including nine in the fourth quarter during a decisive 21-10 closing run. Will McCrary was equally impressive, pouring in 24 points on 75% shooting with 10 rebounds to lead Jackson Co. past Hampton 53-41. Miles Helton starred in the most dramatic comeback of the round, scoring 17 points on 8-of-10 shooting while adding four blocks as Memphis Middle College erased an 11-point halftime deficit to defeat Wayne Co. 49-42.In the most entertaining game of the day, undefeated Eagleville survived a thriller against Pickett Co. 69-66 behind 24-point performances from both James Bega (five 3-pointers) and Camden Cole, who scored 15 of his points in the fourth quarter. Cole Amonett nearly engineered the upset for Pickett Co., exploding for 23 points with 17 coming in the final period. Between the efficient scoring of McCrary and Helton, the clutch fourth-quarter execution of Taylor, Graves, and Cole, and Eagleville’s duo, the round showcased an impressive collection of standout performers.
Class 2A Quarterfinals
Mason Tidwell was the standout performer of the entire round, exploding for 27 points and 19 rebounds as Loretto ground out a 44-38 defensive battle against East Nashville. In the other early game, Chattanooga Prep used its size to overwhelm Peabody 83-66, with Joel Bulis (17 points, 16 rebounds) and Derrick Roberson (20 points, 10 rebounds) forming a punishing interior duo that helped the team score 58 points in the paint. Westview pulled away from Gatlinburg-Pittman 61-45 behind Arden Smith’s dominant 21-point, 16-rebound double-double, including 10 points in a decisive fourth quarter.The most dramatic game came in the afternoon as Smith County survived a furious comeback to edge Lewis County 61-60. Cooper Williams (20 points) and Morgan Sinclair (17 points, 5 threes) built a big lead, only for Dakota Hull and Maddox Tanner (both 20 points) to nearly steal the game for Lewis County with a late flurry, including Tanner’s three-pointer with four seconds left. The quarterfinals were defined by elite frontcourt play, led by Tidwell’s monster outing, Smith’s complete performance, and Chattanooga Prep’s double-double tandem.
Class 3A Quarterfinals
The most dramatic game of the round came in a thriller that went down to the final seconds, as Tullahoma escaped with a 45-44 victory over Tennessee. Austin Tinnon was the hero, making one of two free throws with five seconds left and pulling down a game-high 11 rebounds. Tennessee star Russell Blevins led all scorers with 15 points and tied the game at 44 with a layup, but missed the go-ahead free throw. In another close contest, Upperman pulled away late from South Gibson 56-49 behind Ty Cobb’s outstanding performance of 25 points and 5 assists, including a buzzer-beating three at the end of the third quarter.Nick Steen delivered the most dominant individual showing of the quarterfinals, posting 23 points and 12 rebounds to lead Knoxville Fulton to a 59-50 win over Portland. On the other side of the bracket, Alcoa cruised into the semifinals with a 77-33 rout of Fayette-Ware. Jamir Dean paced the balanced Alcoa attack with 18 points and 9 rebounds, while teammate Jay Kirk turned in a strong all-around effort in defeat with 16 points, 9 rebounds, 4 steals, and 3 blocks. Alcoa’s defense was stifling, holding Fayette-Ware to just 21 percent shooting for the game.
Class 4A Quarterfinals
The quarterfinal round featured several standout individual performances, headlined by Cutter Sisk’s remarkable 33-point effort for Beech in a heartbreaking 55-52 loss to Bearden. Despite Sisk’s heroics, Justin Nordin’s steady 17 points and 5 assists helped Bearden survive a frantic fourth quarter, as the Bulldogs overcame poor free-throw shooting from Beech and sealed the win with clutch foul-line execution. In the other afternoon matchup, Dylan Jones delivered a scorching performance for Bartlett, pouring in 22 points on a perfect 5-for-5 from three-point range. Jones’ timely shooting sparked a decisive 6-0 run in the fourth quarter against Brentwood, while teammate Braylon Williams added a double-double (10 points, 10 assists). Brentwood was led by a valiant 28-point, 8-rebound effort from Davis Cochran in defeat.Walker Valley and Whitehaven advanced with more decisive victories. Zach Davis dominated the paint and perimeter for Walker Valley, finishing with 21 points and 7 rebounds in a 76-58 win over Farragut as the Mustangs pulled away with a strong fourth quarter. The most lopsided result came from Whitehaven, which dismantled Blackman 71-41 behind a blistering shooting display. Ja’Michael Mitchell led the way with 17 points, while Kiyan Mitchell added 12 points and 8 assists in a balanced attack that saw Whitehaven shoot 63% from the field and an incredible 67% from beyond the arc.
