Howard @ Tyner Academy (1/15)

The actual first game of our Game of the Week selections with the weather cancelling all of last weeks selections.

Howard and Tyner Academy are in two of the top teams in 6AA and will be in the hunt for the district crown come March. Howard fresh of another win over city rival Brainerd stands at 11-2 on the young season led by senior guards Chris Deloney (Howard) and Reginald Hemphill (Howard).

Tyner Academy has played well this season using their depth to put on a nice winning streak. Michael Bradley (Tyner Academy) controls the paint with shot blocking and boards, the scoring is in the capable hands of Reginald Gilmore (Tyner Academy), Travis Jones (Tyner Academy) and Damien Suttles (Tyner Academy).

This should be a nice showdown in Chattanooga on Friday night.

Marshall County @ Columbia Central (Jan. 9th)

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I know what your thinking Marshall County stands at 8-4 and Columbia Central comes in at 7-5, how could this be a game of the week candidate.

If you've never been to this part of the state and seen the rivalry between these two schools, I suggest you make a trip up there some time.

Marshall County captured their early season meeting 65-63 behind 20 points from senior Jamie Perryman (Marshall County) and without the services of junior point guard Kedren Johnson (Marshall County).

Johnson has played well and now has his basketball legs after a summer frought with injury, he is scoring at will and the team is on a proverbial roll. Freshman guard Kevin Peterson (Marshall County) has shown he can score on the varsity level and gives Marshall County a distinct advantage in the backcourt.

Columbia Central will look to a talented and big frontcourt and use their size to get easy scores against the boys from the MC. Dominique Parks (Columbia), Jarvis Webster (Columbia) and Devanat Hamlett (Columbia) will be looked upon for easy inside buckets.

 

Bearden @ Knoxville West (Jan. 8th)

Bearden has surpised all the naysayers starting the season 14-0 and winning close games with superior defense and team effort.

Knoxville West has only fallen twice and have on their resume two wins over the class of East Tennessee, the Fulton Falcons.

Bearden is led by a strong backcourt of Jaeland Lawson (Bearden) and Rico White (Bearden). Lawson has come into his own as a scorer and a leader with White still coming back from some nagging injuries that have not allowed him to play 100% as of yet this season. Technically a backcourt mate as the Bulldogs run a three guard system, Ty Greene (Bearden) has been huge from the outside keeping every defense that Bearden faces honest and drilling threes at almost a 50% clip.

West brings a great deal of talent and depth to the table. Led by senior guard Devin Jackson (Knoxville West) and a host of sophomores and juniors including Phillip "Tookie" Stanford (Knoxville West), JuJuan Williams (Knoxville West) and Jayuan Mitchell (Knoxville West) the Rebels are looking to show the Knoxville area they are for real.

 

Liberty Tech @ Bolivar Central (Jan. 8th)

Rivalry games always excite the masses and in the West Tennessee, excluding the Memphis area, what bigger rivalry has erupted over the past five to ten years than Liberty Tech and Bolivar Central. Now with Liberty dropped back down to AA and put into District 14AA this should rekindle this rivalry to what it once was.

Jay Murphy (Bolivar Central) vs. Kendall "Ant Version 2.0" Anthony (Liberty Tech) is a battle of two of the best point guards in the state and should determine the outcome of this contest.

Bolivar has gotten solid play from Ricky Tisdale (Bolivar Central) and Oneal Woods (Bolivar Central), giving them a formidible advantage in the backcourt.

Cordero Williams (Liberty Tech) and Ryan Yeates (Liberty Tech) will need to step it up and counterbalance this Bolivar edge, they can do this.

Liberty Tech does bring an advantage in talented senior wing Tarius Johnson (Liberty Tech) who has been up and down thus far but played well over the holidays and will be looking to keep his stock on the uprise.

Livingston Academy vs. Bolivar Central (3/18)

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The Class AA opener brings two of the best together for an epic meeting on Wednesday night.

Livingston Academy returns to the Murphy Center with a year of experience and a much deeper squad than last year. Chase Dunn makes the engine go but his supporting cast led by junior talent T.J. Smith and seniors Clint West and Deven Ramsey provide scoring as well. 

Over in Bolivar the masses are excited about this squad and wish to bring another of those shiny gold balls into the gaudy trophy case in the halls of this fine establishment. Like Wayne and Willie this Tiger squad has some athletic size with seniors Chris Reaves and Des Crisp. The key to the Tiger attack is the leadership of junior point Jay Murphy and his sidkick and fellow junior Ricky Tisdale. 

This one should be attack, attack from the opening tap....may the best man win!!!!!!!

Humboldt vs. Manassas (3/18)

So goes the luck of the random draw. While the remainder of the field is no doubt in a state of utter elation, the two powerhouses will gear up for a battle of the titans at 10:00 on Wednesday morning.

Humboldt, the state lone unbeaten team, has cruised through the season and was hoping for this match-up, so why not now!!!!

Charles Taylor and Tevin Crayton have been the marquee attractions for Humboldt but the team has depth and talent galore that will come to the forefront in this opening clash. 

Reginald Buckner will be called upnon to show why he's an Ole Miss signee and a repeat nominee for the coveted Mr. Basketball trophy. The 6'8 senior is the wildcard that Humboldt has not faced this season. 

Manassas has plenty of additional weapons in Shaq Walker, Kindle Woodard and Joseph Northington but they will leave and breathe with Buckner in this one. 

Science Hill vs. Walker Valley (3/19)

The opening round of the state tournament is always a fun and exciting time for everyone who is involved. Science Hill returns to state, a place they once made their home. Walker Valley is rather new to the experience but worthy of their place in the field.

Josh Odom (Science Hill)has played inspired basketball since the playoffs have begun and there is no reason to think his enthusiasm will disipate. The Chattanooga signee will be priority one for the Mustangs as they prepare for this opening round clash.

Walker Valley has parlayed a stupendous senior class into close wins and a keep on surviving and advancing attitude. The seniors led by David Ware, Jake Trotter and Brice Sharpe bring experience and a never ending desire for this season to keep flowing into this contest. 

A key to this game will be the play of Science Hill senior guard Chris Smith. With most of the Mustangs focus clearly headed for Odem, the 6'2 talent will be looked upon to score and provide some relief for his slender classmate. 

Bearden vs. Oak Ridge (Region 2AAA Final)

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Emotions of all kinds must be flooding the heads and hearts of the Bearden players on this day.

A tough win over a determined Farragut squad showed toughness and heart and the emotion of a rematch with the team that sent them away for sub-state last season has certainly come into consciousness.

Nathan "Stat-Man" Parker (Bearden) was dynamic in the win over the Admirals never letting his Bulldogs get the sense they were going to falter, leaders do this you know.

Now the Wildcats of Oak Ridge bring experience and saavy to the Knoxville West gym for a showdown on Thursday night.

Intensity brings the best out of all of us and this should be no exception.   

 

 

Melrose vs. White Station (Region 8AAA Final)

Who would'nt wanna see this matchup.

Joe "The Real Thing" Jackson (White Station) vs. "Mighty" Chris Jones (Melrose)

Andre Hollins (White Station) vs. Adonis Thomas (Melrose)

Ferrakohn Hall (White Station) vs. Marcus Rucker (Melrose)

I could keep going but you get my drift.

The city is in for a real treat.....dig it!!!!!!! 

 

  

 

Livingston Academy vs. Upperman (Region 4AA Final)

The fourth time is a charm..

Ok maybe thats not how the saying goes but those who watched these two squads knew this was inevitable.

Livingston Academy vs. Upperman.

Splitting their regular season clashes with Livingston then dropping the district tourney crown gives the Bees some massive incentive and they get to play on their home floor.

Winning would be sweet for either squad as they would get the opportunity to host a home game on Monday for a chance to trip to the 'boro.

You know the players and you know the rivalry.....let's get it on!!!!!!!!!!