Girls prep hoops making readying for tournaments

By Wes Holtsclaw
Star Staff
wholtsclaw@starhq.com

   Last week, I cut things short talking about the boys basketball outlook in the state and now we're going to view the girls situation from Bristol to Memphis.
   In 3-A, Oak Ridge is perhaps one of the most dominant teams in the southeast. At 28-1, the Lady Wildcats suffered their only loss to a national top ten squad in Murry Bergtraum, NY at the Nike Tournament of Champions in Phoenix, Arizona.
   Shelbyville (26-1), who is also a top squad nationally, suffered their only loss to Oak Ridge in a one-point thriller earlier in the season. Jackson North Side (22-0) is the one of two undefeated girls squads in the state and is looking to make some noise.
   Locally, Greeneville (21-3) and Daniel Boone (21-3) are the top squads, but there are so many good teams in this area. Sevier County (24-4), Science Hill (17-6) and Morristown West (16-5) are on the verge of making some runs.
   In Double A, Unicoi County (21-3) leads the pack in this area although Seymour (17-6), Austin-East (18-6) and South Greene (17-6) are very tough squads. Elizabethton, Happy Valley and Sullivan Central could be sleepers in the division come regional tournament time.
   Walker Valley (26-2), Page (24-2), Oakhaven (20-0), Gibson County (23-2) and McMinn Central (23-3) are also going to be very tough in the other sections of the state. Statewide teams with a question mark in front of them are Martin Westview (23-3) and Obion County (24-4).
   Cloudland (22-3), Unaka (21-6), and Hancock County (19-8) are favorites for the sub-state round from region one in Single A. Cosby (19-4), Harriman (21-5) and Wartburg Central (13-8) will be tough to overcome in the sub-state round, but anything is possible in the tournaments.
   Wayne County (22-2) and Celina (22-2) are obvious favorites in middle Tennessee, although Westmoreland (21-2), Franklin Road Academy (21-3) and Perry County (20-4) are good state tournament picks.
   There are four lock-on teams that should be in the state quarterfinals in division two. Those are ECS (21-3), Harpeth Hall (20-3), Father Ryan (20-5) and Webb School of Knoxville (20-5).
   STATEWIDE HEADLINES: In an agreement with the TSSAA, the Mr. and Miss Basketball awards will be taking place in Memphis over the next three years in a situation where the award winners will all receive $1,000 scholarships.
   --Elizabethton's Vince Redd, Greeneville's Cody Baugh, and Dobyns-Bennett's Jacob McMillan have been selected to compete in the 20th Tennessee-Kentucky All-Star Football Classic in Lexington, Kentucky on June 20th.
   --Cloudland's Mark Byrd, Dakota Benfield, Dane Christman and Mark Barnett were selected to the PrepTalkOnline.com all state team for 1-A. 2-A and 4-A will be released next week.
   TSSAA WRESTLING CHAMPIONSHIPS: Three state wrestling champions were crowned from this area over the weekend at the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga.
   Science Hill's Josh Boskin won the 130 pound weight class, Dobyns-Bennett's Steven McKinney won the 145 pound title, while Greeneville's Daniel Crosby laid the smackdown en route to the 275 pound title.
   Daniel Boone's Ryan McGrew won third place in the 112 pound class, while Topper Jon Edmonds finished third best in the 171 pound class.
   BOYS GAMES OF THE WEEK: Hampton at Cloudland, Hampton at Sullivan North, Elizabethton at Tennessee High and Johnson County at Happy Valley
   The Longhorns and Warriors tango on Monday night in what could be a very tough battle. Happy Valley has gotten some solid performances lately, but Johnson County is still the favorites. JOHNSON COUNTY 73-65
   GIRLS GAMES OF THE WEEK: Hampton at Sullivan North, Happy Valley at Sullivan Central, Cloudland at Daniel Boone and Elizabethton at Unicoi County
   The Cyclones will battle with Unicoi County in what could serve as a preview for the District Tournament. Unicoi County is riding high off of some big wins and may fall victim to an upset on their home court. ELIZABETHTON 53-44
   BOYS PLAYER OF THE WEEK: JORDY HARRISON, HAPPY VALLEY
   Harrison had a pair of big games for the Warriors this past week with a game leading 20-points in a loss to Sullivan Central and a clutch six points in a 40-35 victory over Sullivan South.
   GIRLS PLAYER OF THE WEEK: TARA HANSON, CLOUDLAND
   Hanson was at the top of her game with three solid games for the Lady Highlanders. Hanson scored 11 in a big win over Unaka, 21 against University High and paced Cloudland with 18 in a tight loss to Unicoi County.