Three days and counting!!!!!
The state tournament always the best time of year for fans and junkies of the hoop alike. Here is a look and a preview of the upper portion of the bracket for the teams headed to state from the Class A division.
Manassas vs. Humboldt
10:00 Wednesday
Grace Baptist vs. Grace Christian
11:45 Wednesday
Manassas
Hometown: Memphis
Nickname: Tigers
Record: 24-2
DIstrict: 16A
Region: 8A
Coach: Gerald Harris
Top Players: Reginald Buckner, Kindle Woodard, Shaq Walker
Region Final: 71-59 winner over Scotts Hill
Sub-State: 67-56 winner over Lake County
Preview:
I'm sorry but this should be the championship game. Manassas returns to state after losing in the championship game last season and is poised to remain in the field after day one. The two favorites for the crown will face off in the opening game of the day with the Tigers taking on the state only unbeaten squad in Humboldt. Manassas will look to Mr. Basketball candidate Reginald Buckner to be in top form as they tangle with the Vikings. Manassas lost a great deal of experience off of last years team but has the players to bring the gold ball to Memphis.
Humboldt
Hometown: Humboldt
Nickname: Vikings
Record: 33-0
District: 14A
Region: 7A
Coach: Thomas Boykin
Top Players: Tevin Crayton, Charles Taylor, Darren Dunbar
Region Final: 72-54 winner over Lake County
Sub-State: 75-49 winner over Scotts Hill
Preview:
Well you gotta play em sometimes so why not get it out of the way quick. Humboldt comes in as the state lone unblemsihed squad and they get a test right from the jump. Is it good or bad....we'll see. Tevin Crayton has played phenomenal since the playoffs have started and will draw the attention of all the college coaches who make their way to the Murphy Center on Wednesday. Humboldt is deep, talented and determined to bring the shiny gold basketball back to their friendly confines.
Grace Baptist
Hometwon: Chattanooga
Nickname: Golden Eagles
Record: 26-5
District: 5A
Region: 3A
Coach; Jon Mattheis
Top Players: Brandon Herman, Patrick Shaughnessy, Terrell Church
Region Final: 78-71 winner over Temple
Sub-State: 74-42 winner over Clarkrange
Preview:
Brandon Herman leads a talented Golden Eagles squad against their sister squad from Knoxville. Herman and Church will be called upon to control the tempo and provide the scoring out front while inside they can turn to Charleston Southern signee Patrick Shaughnessy who will have a decided height advantage over the Rams.
Grace Christian
Hometown: Knoxville
Nickname: Rams
Record: 27-6
District: 3A
Region: 2A
Coach: Anthony Lamb
Top Players: Cameron pridemore, Ryan Slusher, David Amos
Region Final: 53-48 winner over Rockwood
Sub-State: 48-44 winner over University
Preview:
Last year the Rams made the trip to the 'boro and were simply happy to be involved, this year they would like to stay a bit longer if they could. Their sister school from Chatt town might have some objections to this premise but the game should be fun to watch. The Rams get majority of their scoring from point man Cameron Pridemore and talented wing Ryan Slusher. If someone else steps up and prives some buckets this could help the coahcing staff arrange for a couple more nights in the motel.