Action begins in Murfreesboro on Wednesday with four games featuring the Class A division. A preview of the participating teams follows:
Temple vs. Union City
Eagleville vs. Moore County
Grace Christian vs. University
Jackson County vs. Manassas
Upper Half of Bracket
Temple
Coach: Caleb Marcum
Nickname: Crusaders
Record: 23-9
Top Players:
Jeremy Sexton
Kendall Peterson
James Kemp
Ben Montgomery
The defending Class A state champs were not supposed to make it here agin after being decimated by graduation. Junior baller Jeremy Sexton is one of the states best kept secrets and will need to be at his best with the Golden Tornaodes of Union City as the opponent.
Union City
Coach: Shane Sisco
Nickname: Golden Tornadoes
Record: 34-0
Top Players:
M.J. Brown
Andre Coby
Tony Wilkins
Nik Brooks
The states only unbeaten team with a chip on their shoulder and something to prove. M.J. Brown is the reigning Mr. Basketball in this classificationa dn appears to be the favorite to win again. Coach Sisco's unblemished squad is deep and talented.
Eagleville
Coach: Joseph Reed
Nickname: Eagles
Record: 26-7
Top Players:
Khameron Lillard
Jay Paul Lenkner
Jimbo Porter
Jo Jo Wilson
Great run to close out the deistrict and region seasons has brought the Eagles to the 'boro. Senior leadership is key and Eagleville has good size fora Class A squad with Lillard at 6-6 and Lenkner at 6-5. Porter runs the show and will be key.
Moore County
Coach: Levon King
Nickname: Raiders
Record: 28-4
Top Players:
Tyler Jean
Georgio Alexander
Shane Worthy
Chad Millard
Lynchburg represents with Moore County making the short trip to the Murphy Center. Jean is the leader, Alexander can score and Worthy gives them three solid players, with senior experience. The Raiders have a tough battle first round against Eagleville who knocked off their district rival Culleoka.
Lower Half of Bracket
Grace Christian
Coach: Anthony Lamb
Nikcname: Rams
Record: 26-6
Top Players:
Cameron Pridemore
Ryan Slusher
Eric Williams
Adrian Wannamaker
Only the fifth year of existence for this Knoxville school. Pridemore is the key to this machine running things from up front and making everyone better. Williams has emerged as a legit inside threat at 6-5 with Slusher able to score and penetrate off the bounce.
University
Coach: Justin Penley
Nickname: Jr. Bucs
Record: 25-5
Top Players:
Josh Padgett
Josh Phillips
Evan Collins
Alex Denton
The Jr. Bucs return to the state tourney ready to prove they belong. Padgett is one of the better players not everyone is familiar with. He can score in bunches and will a tough match-up for Grace. The Bucs play hard and tough adn are a very unselfish bunch.
Jackson County
Coach: Gary Flynn
Nickname: Blue Devils
Record: 18-16
Top Players:
Bradley Crowder
Morgan Hensley
Brandon Kerley
Derek Loftis
Who's hotter than the Blue Devils at this stage of the game. For their reward they get a date with powerful Manassas. The Devils have senior leadership and are crafy enough to stay in this game. Crowder and Hensley give them some scoring options.
Manassas
Coach: Gerald Harris
Nickname: Tigers
Record: 33-5
Top Players:
Reginald Buckner
Eric Atkins
Roy McFagdon
Trey Payne
All eyes are focused on the potential Manassas/Union City finale. Before this can happens ome business needs to be addressed. Manassas is senior laden as well yet their top dog is a junior in Buckner. The Tigers are exceptionally deep for a Class A squad and will overwhelm you with droves of talented players.
