Sub-State Predictions and Previews

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Class A (Team in parentheses was our pre-season pick)

 

Greenback @ University

Venerable coach McCollum heads up state to see if his Cherokees can make school history. Josh Padgett has other ideas and wishes to be seen at state.

Projected Winner: University (Hampton)

Hampton @ Grace Christian

Hampton travels down to Knoxville for a date with the Rams. Having been denied the trip to the 'boro last season Coach Lamb and his kids are more than ready to represent.

Projected Winner: Grace Christian (Grace Christian)

Westmoreland @ Temple

Jeremy Sexton is a very good player and Westmoreland will find this out. Don't count them out Patrick Jenkins and hot shooting sophomore E.J. Perry will certainly present a challenge.

Projected Winner: Temple (Grace Baptist)

CSAS @ Jackson County

Bradley Crowder has led the J.C. to some big surprises in the playoff round and have been rewarded with a home game. Can they handle the athelticism of CSAS?

Projected Winner: CSAS (CSAS)

Nashville Christian @ Moore County

Ranked as high as third Nashville Christian will be more than ready for the challenges in Lynchburg. Can they stop the schools all-time leading scorer Tyler Jean and his quest to be a part of the state tournament?

Projected Winner: Moore County (Moore County)

Culleoka @ Eagleville

Culleoka represented at state this year but now travels to Eagleville for a tough game. Eagleville is deep and has momentum on their side with the big win over Nashville Christian.

Projected Winner: Eagelville (Culleoka)

Middleton @ Union City

Tony Wilkins has stepped up to be the third scorer for the Golden Tornadoes. This does not bode well for future opponents....

Projected Winner: Union City (Union City)

Humboldt @ Manassas

Humboldt is arguably the third best team in this classification but they have the misfortune of being in this district and region. Manassas is deep and threathening. A potential showdown with Union City would be straight...Humboldt will not go quietly into the night.

Projected Winner: Manassas (Manassas)

For the record seven of out eight pre-season picks are still alive. Good luck to all the teams.

 

Class AA

Austin East @ Unicoi County

The Roadrunners did'nt play their best in the region final and for that they get to travel to Erwin where opposing teams are never welcome. Cameron Miller will have his hands full but this scrappy and experienced bunch will be tough to handle at home.

Projected Winner : Austin East (Fulton)

Rutledge @ Fulton

Coaches always say be playing your best basketball come playoff time. The Falcons are doing just that decorated sophomore Smooth Jalen Steele welcomes the Pioneers to Knoxville. Skylar McBee will certainly be the focus of the Fulton defense and that means James Gallman will have the assignment of guarding the talented junior.

Projected Winner: Fulton (Austin East)

White House @ Howard

Tough place to visit for White House but they have experince in this type of game winning last year on the road at East Ridge. Dominique Taylor is the Hustlin Tigers top option.

Projected Winner: Howard (Howard)

McMinn Central @ Livingston Academy

If you've not seen Chase Dunn please take the time to make this trip. The talented junior has led the hoopers from L.A. to the brink of the state tourney. McMinn is deep and senior laden they could spoil this event for the home team.

Projected Winner: Livingston Academy (Station Camp)

Creek Wood @ CPA

CPA is like butter they are on a roll, led by Zaccheus Mason, Hunter Miller and a crew of role players determined to create some havoc.

Projected Winner: CPA (CPA)

Giles County @ Bolivar Central

Always a top flight match-up when these two get together.  Giles won on a last second halfcourt buzzer beater a few years back and now Bolivar gets the game in their gym.

Projected Winner: Bolivar Central (Bolivar Central)

BTW @ Dyer County

The once beaten Chochtaws knocked BTW from the state last season and this should be a dog fight from start to finish.

Projected Winner: Dyer County (Dyer County)

Haywood County @ Mitchell

They played earlier this season and Mitchell came out on top. Ricky Taylor would love to end his career at the state tourney but with Mitchell's depth that may be very hard to accomplish.

Projected Winner: Mitchell (Mitchell)

Once again seven of our pre-seaosn eight are still alive in this classification. Good luck and see you at state.

 

 

Class AAA

Bearden @ Dobyns Bennett

The Bulldogs travel to Kingsport with something to prove. D.B. has been state ranked all season and welcomes the challenge the Fab Five 2009 present.

Projected Winner: Bearden (Bearden)

Science Hill @ Oak Ridge

Jared Stephens is the conductor of this Oak Ridge locomotive and his next stop will be Mufreesboro. The Hilltoppers have talent and will be formidible.

Projected Winner: Oak Ridge (Maryville)

White County @ Red Bank

Spartan pride will be tested by the athletic Red Bank group. Benford is a next level athlete and the shooters fromm White County will need to be on.

Projected Winner: White County (Siegel)

Cleveland @ Siegel

The Siegel nation will be in full effect for this one. Cleveland has the misleading record but not the misleading hoopers. Ish Sanders will need to be huge as Tyler Cutter and the three Stars Super sophomores wish to keep this thing in town.

Projected Winner: Siegel (Shelbyville)

Hillsboro @ Clarksville

AAA runner-up Clarksville led by Mr. Basketball hopeful Tyrone Caldwelll are once again on the cusp of returning to state. Hillsboro has played strong since the district and does'nt want his magic to end yet.

Projected Winner: Clarksville (Franklin)

Wilson Central @ Antioch

Antioch is the standard bearer in this part of the state. Upton, McAdoo, Wells, Williams and both Clarkes will not settle for anything less than state tourney action.

Projected Winner; Antioch (Antioch)

White Station @ Raleigh-Egypt

The Pharoahs are poised to make a serious state run but the Spartans always come up big this time of year. Will the addition of Ferrakohn Hall be significant for either squad.

Projected Winner: Raleigh-Egypt (White Station)

Craigmont @ Ridgeway

Senior leadership is key for the Roadrunners and an invite to the Murfreesboro party. Jason Jones and Sampson Carter must take them home. Terrico White will oppose this motion and the Mr. Basketball finalist want to make some news of his own.

Projected Winner: Ridgeway (Ridgeway)

Only five of eight are alive in this classification, but it's only for fun so good luck to everyone and see you in a couple of weeks at the Murphy Center.

 

Kirk out.