The TSSAA Division II High School Boys’ and Girls’ Basketball State Championships kicked off Thursday at Tennessee Tech in Cookeville.
The high school association will crown four state champions – boys and girls winners in grades A and AA.
Admission is $12 for those ordering online at https://gofan.co/app/school/TSSAA and $15 cash at the door.
Here’s what you need to know:
Two undefeated teams remain
Brentwood Academy (30-0) and the Christian Brothers (26-0) head to the semi-finals with unbeaten records. The two cannot meet before the championship game – if the Eagles beat Knoxville Catholic at 5 p.m. Thursday and CBHS beats Lipscomb Academy at 3:30 p.m.
Webb lays eyes on another golden ball
Webb School – Bell Buckle (28-6) had never reached the TSSAA State Tournament until a year ago. Now the Lady Feet are aiming for a second consecutive championship. Webb is undefeated against Division II, Class A foes and his lone loss in the state is against Ensworth to open the season.
TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE:TSSAA BlueCross Division II Basketball State Championship Schedule and How to Buy Tickets
WEBB FEET:How rural Webb School became a high school basketball transfer destination
TYLER TANNER:What Drives Brentwood Academy’s Tyler Tanner During Breakout Season Two
MTCS solo for the first time
Middle Tennessee Christian (25-9) opens Friday’s game in their first TSSAA women’s basketball tournament game. The Lady Cougars take on the Christian Academy of Knoxville (26-7) Friday noon. The Girls of MTCS is the only program to make its first appearance in a TSSAA state basketball tournament.
Here are 20 players to watch this week – 10 boys and 10 girls.
Boys
Blue Cain, Catholic from Knoxville, Jr.: Cain is posting averages of 19.4 points, 5.9 rebounds, 2.9 steals and 2.8 assists.
BJ Edwards, Catholic from Knoxville, Sr.: The Division II-AA Mr. Basketball finalist and Tennessee signing is averaging 20.1 points, 7.7 rebounds, 5.4 assists and 3.2 steals.
Daniel Egbuniwe, FACS, Sr.: The Division II-A finalist Mr. Basketball is averaging 21.7 points, 12.7 rebounds and 4.2 assists.
Chandler Jackson, Christian Brethren, Sr.: The Division II-AA Mr. Basketball finalist and Florida State signee averaged 18 points, 5.4 rebounds and 4.1 assists.
CHANDLER’S TIME:Chandler Jackson, the top college basketball prospect in the Memphis area, thinks he can surpass his father, a professional player in France
THE NEXT CATHOLIC STAR:The 6ft 7in freshman from Knoxville Catholic is a rising star behind BJ Edwards, Blue Cain
TRENT MCNAIR EVOLVED:Trent McNair is taller. He is tougher. And he became a leader like his father Steve McNair
Jayden Jones, Goodpasture, Fr.: Jones is averaging 14 points, six rebounds and three steals.
Trent McNair, Brentwood Academy, Sr.: McNair, the son of former Tennessee Titans quarterback Steve McNair, is averaging 14.5 points and 5.1 rebounds.
Eddie Ricks III, Clarksville Academy, Jr.: Mr. Basketball Division II-A runner-up Ricks is averaging 21.6 points and 7.4 rebounds.
Josh Scretchen, USN, Sr.: Scretchen is averaging 18 points, 4.6 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game.
Tyler Tanner, Brentwood Academy, so: The Division II-AA runner-up Mr. Basketball is averaging 18 points, 4.0 steals and 3.7 assists.
Willie Walton, Lipscomb Academy, Sr.: Walton is averaging 16.2 points and 7.3 rebounds for the Mustangs with eight double-doubles.
Girls
Jailyn Banks, MTCS, Jr.: Banks is averaging a team-high 16.6 points, 7.0 rebounds and 3.2 rebounds.
Jaloni Cambridge, Ensworth, So. : Division II-AA runner-up Miss Basketball is averaging 16.9 points on 52.4 percent shooting. She also averaged 6.5 rebounds, 3.9 steals and 3.1 assists.
Kennedy Cambridge, Ensworth, Sr.: Cambridge are averaging 14.8 points on 47.9% shooting. She also averaged 4.6 rebounds, 3.6 steals and 3.0 assists.
JALONI CAMBRIDGE:A family of basketball stars pushes Ensworth’s Jaloni Cambridge to be the best
LED ROSARIO:How Miss Basketball finalist Aalyah Del Rosario gets extra training from another country
BI-SPORT STAR:How All-State Football Player Olivia Lee Was Destined to Play Basketball and Carry On the Family Legacy
Aalyah Del Rosario, Webb School – Bell Buckle, Jr.: The 6-foot-6 Division II-A Miss Basketball finalist is averaging 13 points and 11 rebounds.
Madelyn Ladd, Knoxville Webb, Jr.: Ladd is averaging 13 points per game and has topped 1,000 points this season. She also averages six rebounds.
Olivia Lee, CAW, Jr.: The Division II-A Miss Basketball finalist is averaging 26.5 points, 8.4 rebounds and 2.9 assists.
Keira Leffew, CAK, Jr.: Leffew means. 14.4 points and 9.4 rebounds.
Sydney Mains, Catholic of Knoxville, So. : Mains is averaging 21.5 points, 7.6 rebounds and 3.4 steals.
Abby Smith, Lipscomb Academy, Sr.: Smith is averaging 9.6 points and 6.6 rebounds to lead the Lady Mustangs.
Angelica Velez, Webb School – Bell Buckle, Jr.: Velez, a point guard, is averaging 10 points and six assists.
Contact Tom Kreager at 615-259-8089 or [email protected] and on Twitter @Kreager.
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