Brentwood sophomore Brodey Hasty won the Class AAA state cross country meet in 2015.

Brentwood, Sophomore

Why chosen: After finishing second in last year’s Class AAA meet by just seven seconds, Hasty captured the title this year in 15:35.09, improving by 15 seconds and winning by the same amount. He helped the Bruins capture the team title after finishing runner-up a year ago. Hasty also won the Nike Cross Nationals Southeast Regional meet and qualified for Nationals and won the MSCCA Midstate Championships. Hasty also was The Tennessean 2014 boys cross country runner of the year as a freshman.

College plans: “I haven’t really thought about what colleges to be honest, but I think I would like to explore the field of science.”

Quote: “I was honestly just happy. I had been training for that (state meet) for the entire summer and to do it made me feel really happy. I guess it was more of an exciting feeling like, ‘Yes, I didn’t get injured.’”

Family: Parents William and Sherri Hasty, brother, Gavin (18)

Nickname: “A lot of people call me Fluffy, because of my hair.”

Best high school sports moment: “(Nike Cross Nationals) because it was a great experience overall, especially the race.”

Favorite sports team: USA Track and Field

Dream job: Runner

Favorite teacher: “I don’t have one”

Instagram or Snapchat: Snapchat

Spring or fall: “Fall because it is hot near the beginning of the season but then it gets to a perfect temperature near the end of the season.”

Brentwood Academy boys cross country coach Marshall Smith.

Why chosen: Smith helped lead Brentwood Academy to its second straight Division II-AA state title with a dominant state meet performance. The Eagles finished with 18 points, 72 less than second-place finisher Christian Brothers. Freshman Carter Cheeseman captured the DII-AA individual title with teammates Davis Holliday and Joshua Bell finishing second and third, respectively.

Quote: “We felt like going into the meet we had a good group and we could have a few guys be up near the front and have multiple be All-State, but to do something like that is so difficult and so unusual. We did have just an outstanding day, and I think the guys were just really intent on running a great race and sticking to the plan we had in place. It just worked out really well in our favor.”

Tennessee Sports Writers Association

The TSWA released the Class 1A and Class 2A all-state football teams on Tuesday

(The Division II-A and Division II-AA teams were announced Monday. The Class 3A and 4A teams will be released on Wednesdaa. The Class 5A and 6A teams will be released on Thursday.)

CLASS 1A

Offense

QB: Dresser Winn (Dresden); Preston Rice (Wayne County)

RB: Stavonski Wilkes (Lake County); Dylan Yates (Dresden)

WR: Taylor Thompson (Columdbia Academy), Roderious Sanders (Carver), Wyatt Mabry (Clay County)

OL: Treyton Peters (Harriman), Jacob Stinnett (Coalfield), Robert Brantley (Nashville Christian), John Langley (Harriman), Spencer Norrod (Monterey)

ATH: Chase Blevins (South Pittsburg), Mareio McGraw (Nashville Christian)

K: Thomas Garrison, Columbia Academy

Defense:

DL: Josh Silvey (Greenback), Zay Norman (Peabody), Brant Lawless (Nashville Christian), Greg Hughes (Houston County)

LB: Blake Hall (Coalfield), Daniel Bituli (Nashville Christian), Jamison Blackwell (Union City), Jaden Harris (Greenback)

DB: D’Carrious Stephens (Union City), Trey Hickey (Middle Tennessee Christian School), Anthony Foster (Carver), Brian Williams (Dresden)

ATH: Kayne Roberts (Greenback), Joe Pace (Harriman)

CLASS 2A

Offense

QB: Darius Harper (Austin-East), Andrew Goldsmith (Trinity)

RB: Cordarrian Richardson (Trezevant), Jerry Lunsford (Hampton)

WR: Kashif Warren Jr. (Austin-East), Tyrese Johnson (Halls), Graham Hatcher (Eagleville)

OL: Logan Campbell (Macon County), Bailey Byrum (Sweetwater), Benjie Smith (Adamsville), Dylan Todd (Grace Christian), Jacob Wilson (Rockwood)

ATH: Coby Jones (Hampton), Slayton Wild (Forrest)

K: Christian Stephens (Marion County)

Defense

DL: Boone Sweeney (Forrest), Amadou Fofans (Mitchell), Jack Keebler (Boyd-Buchanan), Sergio Pagoaga (Trinity)

LB: Alex Kirkendoll (Marion County), Justin Swift (Trezevant), Jake Harden (Boyd-Buchanan), Shannon Spralls (Tyner)

DB: Jonathan Gatewood (Trezevant), Kohl Henke (Boyd-Buchanan), Cameron Oakley (McKenzie), Wade Sluss (Grace Christian)

ATH: Josh Henderson (Marion County), Luke Turner (Watertown)

P: Trent Sutton (Cascade)

Reach Michael Murphy at 615-259-8262 and on Twitter @Murph_TNsports.

Brentwood’s Trevor Johnson helped lead the Bruins to the Class AAA state golf title as a team.

First Team

DAVIS ARMSTRONG

Lipscomb Academy’s Davis Armstrong hits his second shot on the sixth hole during the Class A/AA State Golf Tournament at WillowBrook Golf Club in Manchester, Tenn., Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2015.

Lipscomb Academy, Senior

Why chosen: Finished tied for first, falling in a playoff to CAK’s Davis Shore, in the Class A/AA state golf tournament (70-71, 141).

CHASE KEPHART

Ravenwood’s Chase Kephart finished tied for fourth in the Clas AAA state golf tourney.

Ravenwood, Senior

Why chosen: Finished tied for fourth at the Class AAA state golf tourney, firing a 3-under (69-72, 141).

HUNTER WOLCOTT

Dickson County’s Hunter Wolcott finished third at the Class AAA state golf tourney.

Dickson County, Senior

Why chosen: Shot 7-under on the second day of the Class AAA state tournament to charge up the leaderboard and finish third (74-65, 139) overall.

NICK WOLF

Father Ryan’s Nick Wolf finished fourth in the DII-AA state golf tourney.

Father Ryan, Junior

Why chosen: Finished fourth at the DII-AA state golf tournament, shooting 1-over for the tourney (75-70, 145) after a solid second day. Helped the Irish to a second-place finish as a team.

Second Team

Tate Chumley, Jr., Oakland

Trevor Johnson, Sr., Brentwood

Tanner Owens, Sr., Blackman

Jordan Powell, Sr., Station Camp

Paul Swindell, Jr., Lipscomb Academy

Rossview’s Caroline Caudill finished tied for third at the Class AAA State Golf Tournament in 2015.

First Team

CAROLINE CAUDILL

Rossview, Junior

Why chosen: Shot an even par (73-71, 144) over the two days of the Class AAA state tournament, good for a third-place tie (with Franklin County’s Malia Stovall). Was District 10-AAA and Region 5-AAA champ.

MALIA STOVALL

Franklin County, Sophomore

Why chosen: Shot an even par (73-71, 144) over the two days of the Class AAA state tournament, good for a third-place tie (with Rossview’s Caroline Caudill). Was District 8-AAA and Region 4-AAA champ.

Second Team

Catherine Caudill, So., Rossview

Angelina Chan, Fr., FRA

Savannah Quick, Jr., Coffee County

HENDERSONVILLE For the second consecutive day, Pope John Paul II High’s girls basketball team frustrated an opponent early on with its zone defense.

And, for the second consecutive day, visiting Hendersonville pulled away in the second half from an opponent to secure a victory.

The visiting Lady Commandos scored 15 consecutive points to begin the fourth quarter as they captured a 55-32 win over the Lady Knights on Tuesday afternoon in the Pope John Paul II Christmas Classic.

Pope John Paul II High senior Callie Ryan spins away from Hendersonville senior Joslyn Jarrett (12) during first-quarter action.

Hendersonville (7-3) held the Lady Knights (3-9) scoreless for the first 4:43 of the final period, turning a 34-26 lead after three quarters into a 49-26 edge. That surge came thanks to a few turnovers and uncontested layups.

“We knew that if we could push it down the floor before (PJP II) could set up in their 2-3 zone (defense), we’d have an easier chance of scoring,” Hendersonville sophomore Brooke Long said. “In the beginning, all we had was shooting outside shots, so we had to push it.”

Long scored eight points during the Lady Commandos’ run to open the final quarter, and she finished with 17 points, one day after scoring a career-high 26 against Nashville Central Christian.

“What she has in her athleticism and her length, she has the ability to change a basketball game,” Hendersonville head coach Drew Johnson said. “She turned the tide for us. When she gets the ball in her hands on the wing, you can’t catch her. She does a really good job on defense too.”

Pope John Paul II High senior Callie Ryan spins away from Hendersonville senior Joslyn Jarrett (12) during first-quarter action.

Hendersonville held a 26-15 lead late in the second quarter before the Lady Knights scored the final five points of the first half.

Johnson felt that the early start had a bit of an impact in the first half, although the Lady Commandos only trailed once (early in the first quarter).

“I’m glad we don’t play a lot of 11:30 games,” Johnson said. “I had a totally different team toward the end of the game. It took them a while to get their legs under them.”

Senior forward Windee Johnson led the Lady Knights with a game-high 22 points, doing everything she could to keep PJP II close.

“She was determined to go out and play as hard as she could and give us the best chance to win,” PJP II first-year head coach Angi Puckett said. “Our guards were doing a good job of looking at her inside, and she got some good looks.”

Pope John Paul II High senior Miranda Smith dribbles into the lane past Hendersonville senior Joslyn Jarrett during third-quarter action.

Hendersonville is scheduled to travel to Charleston, S.C., for a tournament beginning on Monday, while the Lady Knights are slated to participate in the Goodpasture Christmas Classic on Monday and Tuesday.

Reach Chris Brooks at cbrooks@tennessean.com or at 615-575-7118. Follow him on Twitter @CB_SumnerSports.

HENDERSONVILLE (55) – Brooke Long 17, Joslyn Jarrett 14, Peyton Sheehan 11, Carleigh Short 5, Makensie Cotter 3, Elizabeth Hatfield 2, Emma Throneberry 2, Makenzie Branch 1.

POPE JOHN PAUL II (32) – Windee Johnson 22, Mercedes Smith 6, Olivia Nivison 2, Alison Gerstner 1, Miranda Smith 1.

Half: 26-20, Hendersonville. 3-point goals: Hendersonville 6 (Jarrett 2, Sheehan 2, Long 1, Short 1), Pope John Paul II 2 (Mercedes Smith 2). Records: Hendersonville 7-3, Pope John Paul II 3-9.

Brentwood’s Garrett Joiner (20) celebrates with teammates Keely Kaufman (7) and Lil Schwarz during the Class AAA state tournament this past fall.

First team

GARRETT JOINER

Brentwood, So., Outside Hitter

Why chosen: Was a force for the AAA state champs, accumulating 498 kills, 228 digs, 107 aces and 86 blocks during the season.

JORDAN JONES

Goodpasture, Jr., Outside Hitter

Why chosen: Collected 547 kills, 269 blocks and 36 aces during the season.

KAELA MASSEY

Brentwood, Sr., Middle Hitter

Why chosen: Helped lead the Lady Bruins to another AAA title, collecting 412 kills, 117 blocks and 73 aces.

LOU PHILLIPS

Goodpasture, Sr., Setter

Why chosen: Dished out 1,292 assists with 240 digs, 80 kills and 30 aces as Goodpasture reached the Class A state tourney.

KRISTEN DEMONBREUN

Siegel, Sr., Setter

Why chosen: Had 1,212 assists, 207 digs, 98 aces, 58 kills and 23 blocks for the Lady Stars en route to the AAA state tourney.

LIL SCHWARZ

Brentwood, Sr., Libero

Why chosen: Collected 512 digs, 74 assists and 72 aces during the Lady Bruins’ state title run.

ASHA PHILLIPS

Siegel, Sr., Utility

Why chosen: Was valuable all over the court, earning 426 digs, 386 kills, 42 aces and 23 blocks.

Second team

OH: Tristyn Lozano, Sr., Blackman

OH: Tricia Brown, Jr., Ensworth

MH: Amber Jones, Sr., Page

MH: JM Lewandowski, Jr., Hendersonville

S: Lauren Bars, Jr., Harpeth Hall

S: Breanna Carlton, Sr., Franklin

L: Liz Bossong, Sr., Siegel

UTIL: Abby Akins, Sr., Portland

Father Ryan’s Lauren Dorrell (21) attempts a kill over Baylor’s Jane Wilson (4) during the state volleyball tournament.

Father Ryan, Senior

Why chosen: Dorrell led Father Ryan to the Division II-AA state title with a win over Briarcrest in the championship match after being swept by the Lady Saints just two days earlier in the tourney. The 2015 Tennessee Gatorade state volleyball player of the year finished with 483 kills — including 90 in the state tournament — 315 digs, 67 blocks, 44 aces and 23 assists.

College plans: Committed to Colorado.

Quote: “It’s hard to even describe in words. This season was more than I could have ever expected. We all had in the back of our minds that we wanted to go to state and win, but we didn’t advertise it. It was unreal. It hasn’t even hit me. When I try to think of it and acknowledge it, it just doesn’t seem real.”

Family: Parents Karl and Kim, brother, Chandler (20).

Nickname: “My family calls me Lala, my friends call me Lo/Laur, and my teammates call me Lo-Do/Laur-Dorr or Dorrell. My most common nickname would be Lo.”

Best high school sports moment: “Being the underdog going into the state tournament and then winning it. No one expected us to get as far as we did, especially after losing to each team (St. Agnes, Baylor and Briarcrest) every time we played them in regular season.”

Favorite sports team: “USA women’s volleyball team.”

Dream job: USA women’s volleyball team.

Favorite teacher: Mrs. (Catherine) Cole (Social Sciences) or Mr. (William) Lancaster (English).

Instagram or Snapchat: “I love both of them too much, but I do use Snapchat more than I use Instagram.”

Fall or spring: “I would probably prefer fall because I’m a big fan of the cool weather, and it marks the beginning of my two favorite sports seasons — volleyball and football.”

Father Ryan’s Lauren Dorrell led the Lady Irish to the DII-AA state title in 2015.

Father Ryan volleyball coach Jinx Cockerham retired following winning the 2015 DII-AA state title.

Why chosen: After getting swept by Briarcrest in the opening round of the state tournament, Cockerham helped lead Father Ryan to its fifth state championship with a 3-1 win over the Lady Saints in the championship match in what turned out to be the final season of her 46-year career with the Irish.

Quote: “They had a silent confidence about them. We had worked really hard in the fitness center and running and as it was progressing I could see on the other side of the court that we were able to do the things we wanted to be able to do because we weren’t tired and our minds were very focused and very confident.”

Tennessee Sports Writers Association

(The Division II-A and Division II-AA teams were announced Monday. The Class 1A and 2A teams were announced Tuesday. The Class 5A and 6A teams will be released on Thursday.)

The 2015 TSWA Class 3A and 4A All-State Football teams:

CLASS 3A

Offense

QB: Zack Weatherly (CPA), Cole Smith (CAK)

RB: Traneil Moore (East Ridge), Noah Whaley (Pigeon Forge)

WR: Phillip Nichols (CAK), Ben Guffey (Upperman), Rodney Castille (Liberty)

OL: Pete Sexton (East Ridge), Robert Murphy (Notre Dame), Ben Buchanan (CAK), Jacob Rimmer (Milan), Caleb Stephens (White House Heritage)

ATH: Deshawn Brown (Camden), Steven Jennings (DeKalb County)

K: Ben Smith (Alcoa)

Defense

DL: Matthew McClurg (Alcoa), Jonathan Decker (Alcoa), Tre Stamper (Red Bank), Khalil Jones (Stratford)

LB: Tyler Enos (Notre Dame), Christian Williams (Milan), Dantae Wilkes (Liberty), Preston Whitehead (Elizabethton)

DB: Jesse Jones (East Ridge), Caleb Woody (Alcoa), Ricky Ballard (Notre Dame), Price Perdue (CPA)

ATH: Dustin Clabough (Alcoa), Chip Omer (CPA)

P: Alex Darras (Notre Dame)

CLASS 4A

Offense

QB: Ashton Posey (Marshall County), Chase Cunningham (Knoxville Catholic)

RB: Desmond Dabbs (Greeneville), Dylan Linder (Livingston Academy)

WR: Rontavius Groves (Pearl-Cohn), Amari Rodgers (Knoxville Catholic), Tre Crutcher (Marshall County)

OL: Cade Mays (Catholic), Sam Jackson (Lipscomb), Jaelin Fisher (Pearl-Cohn), Brandon Knight (Greeneville), Brody Gregory (Hixson)

ATH: Jimmy Ferrell (Pearl-Cohn), Devante Turner (Memphis East)

K: Ryan Courtright (Lexington)

Defense

DL: Emmit Gooden (Haywood), Rutger Reitmaier (Lipscomb), Matthew Gayle (Fulton), Austin Rowan (Knoxville Catholic)

LB: Tariqious Tisdale (Lexingston), Markevous McKinnie (Jackson North Side), Rondrow Peebles (Knoxville Central)

DB: Kentel Williams (Fulton), Frankie Campo (East Hamilton), Nick Godwin (Hardin County), Teddrick McGhee (Memphis East)

ATH: Chase Kuerschen (Knoxville Catholic), Chaton Mobley (Fulton)

P: Brent Cimaglia (Page)

Reach Michael Murphy at 615-259-8262 and on Twitter @Murph_TNsports. 

Pearl-Cohn High School’s Tony Brunetti knows that concussions are an unfortunate part of the game he loves, and like most, the reigning Class 4A runner-up football coach doesn’t have a way to rid the sport of the traumatic brain injuries.

Are concussions becoming more frequent in sports, or are we just now starting to pay attention to them? Could and should the game be made less violent? Is better equipment the answer? Is education?

X-ray of what a brain concussion can look like. A concussion is the most common type of traumatic brain injury.

Brunetti, who has taught and coached at Pearl-Cohn since 2002, spending the last decade as head football coach, doesn’t have a definitive answers to any of these questions.

He does, however, know that he doesn’t want to lose the game he’s spent most of his life around.

“I know some are trying to make the game safer, pushing for flag football,” Brunetti said. “I just look at how much opportunity this game brings the kids. The kids know it’s a risk playing this game; they play this game for the opportunities it can bring them in life. It can mean a free education.

CONCUSSIONS: THE INVISIBLE INJURY:  Studying impact of sports-related head injuries among young athletes

“You have to take the precautions and do the best job you can to make safe for them, now and in the future.”

The concussion issue is once again being brought to center stage as the film “Concussion,” which enters theaters on Christmas, tells the story of Dr. Bennett Omalu’s attempt to bring attention to chronic traumatic encephalopathy in football and the National Football League’s alleged attempts to deny the problem and disparage Omalu.

“I just finished my 19th year of coaching,” Independence High School coach Scott Blade said. “You see the evolution of awareness. I think when lawsuits were brought to the NFL and all the issues with former players, all that stuff has a trickle-down effect.”

In July 2010, the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association adopted a new, more stringent policy aimed at educating coaches, parents and athletes about concussions, as well as preventing them, particularly second-impact syndrome — a sometimes fatal occurrence when an athlete suffers a second concussion before the first has properly healed.

Concussions are an unfortunate part of football, but high school coaches and administrators say education is key to dealing with the injury.

“We certainly fed off what some other states had in place or were working on,” TSSAA Assistant Executive Director Matthew Gillespie said.

The TSSAA’s policy states any player who exhibits signs, symptoms or behavior consistent with a concussion (such as headaches, dizziness, nausea, confusion or loss of consciousness) must be immediately removed from competition. They are not allowed to return until cleared by a licensed medical doctor, osteopathic physician or clinical neuropsychologist with concussion training.

In other words, once an athlete leaves the contest with a suspected concussion, nobody on the sideline can clear them to return.

“They’ve taken it out of the coach’s hands in the heat of the moment,” Blade said. “If there’s a possibility (of a concussion), we get it looked at and addressed by someone that’s trained for that.”

The TSSAA has since implemented additional changes, such as limiting contact during practice, preventing targeting and putting an emphasis on proper blocking and tackling technique.

In March 2013, Tennessee became the 44th state to pass legislation to reduce concussions in youth sports and increase awareness of concussions.

“Our policy only affected our member schools,” Gillespie said. “What they did was take that and expand it to non-member schools and youth leagues and things that we don’t oversee with our policy.”

The law, which took effect Jan. 1, 2014, essentially mirrored what the TSSAA implemented for the 2010-11 school year, requiring all non-TSSAA schools and youth leagues to adhere to the same guidelines.

“The awareness is definitely out there,” said Corey Allen, program director for the Nashville Youth Basketball Association and a former Whites Creek and Tennessee basketball player. “We’re dealing with kids from 5 years old, so if there’s a situation where something happens you are extremely cautious. We have protocol and procedures.”

That’s not the case everywhere, according to Johnnie Anderson, director of sports medicine for Sumner County Schools and the Middle Tennessee representative for the Tennessee Athletic Trainers Society, the state athletic trainers association that supported the law.

“I think definitely at the high school level there’s better education for coaches and student-athletes, but I’m not sure that’s being carried over to the other levels, educating youth leagues,” Anderson said. “I think that’s where there’s kind of still a gap.”

The lack of a central organization has made it virtually impossible to make sure every youth sports league in the state adheres to the laws guidelines.

“Where I’m at, Gallatin High School, all of our coaches are required to do the annual education or they’re not allowed to coach, and we have a state law and a school board policy that affords us the luxury to do that,” Anderson added. “But little league in fill-in-the-blank town, they’re not regulated by the same organization. I’m not sure (the people that run the leagues) understand the requirements that are there for them.”

Reach Michael Murphy at 615-259-8262 and on Twitter @Murph_TNsports.

Brad Swope, Tyler Summers and Mark Burns practice putting an injured player (Scotty Blackburn) on a board to be transported. Sumner County emergency personnel and athletic trainers underwent training exercises in 2013.

SEC can pull concussed players from game on its own
AJ Long’s Syracuse career ended by concussions

Clarksville girls soccer coach Jeff Jordan.

Why chosen: A year after winning the Class AAA title, Jordan helped Clarksville to a 22-5 record and its second straight state championship game appearance, finishing runner-up to an undefeated Houston team. His team allowed just 20 goals all season and went on a dominant stretch, going 11-1, shutting out its opponents in all 11 of the wins.

Quote: “I was very pleased with this year; I couldn’t have asked for more. I thought the girls did even better than they did last year, considering the situation. I think we were mentally tough. As far as player-for-player, we didn’t have the physical talent that we had the year before, but the kids played for one another.”

Clarksville’s Salera Jordan is a repeat winner of the All-Midstate girls soccer player of the year award.

Clarksville, Senior, Midfielder

Why chosen: Jordan, a four-time All-District 10-AAA and three-time All-State selection, helped lead the Lady Wildcats back to the Class AAA state championship match behind a 22-5 record. The 10-AAA Offensive MVP finished the season with 31 goals and 36 assists, setting school records with 366 points and 150 assists in her high school career. She also was The Tennessean girls soccer player of the year in 2014.

College plans: Has signed to play soccer for MTSU

Quote: “I definitely don’t think that this year was any less special than last year. Yeah, we didn’t win a state title, but we made it so far, and honestly I don’t think anyone, at the beginning of the season, even us, thought that we would make it that far.”

Clarksville’s Salera Jordan is a repeat winner of the All-Midstate girls soccer player of the year award.

Family: Parents Jeff and Patti Jordan, brothers Jacob (27), Dylan (25), Hayden (22) and Satchel (14)

Nickname: Sal

Best high school sports memory: “I would have to say making it to the state finals again this year.”

Favorite sports team: “I like them all.”

Dream job: “I have many.”

Favorite teacher: Chris Scarborough

Instagram or Snapchat: Snapchat

Spring or fall: “Spring. I like all of the flowers and it means that summer is near.”

FIRST TEAM

KAMERON ZIESIG

Brentwood, Senior, Forward

Why chosen: All-District 11-AAA selection and Belmont commitment scored 20 goals while also providing a team-leading nine assists for the Region 6-AAA runner-up Lady Bruins.

JULIE GARST

Independence, Junior, Forward

Why chosen: District 11-AAA MVP and Belmont commitment tallied 33 goals and eight assists for the Region 6-AAA champion Lady Eagles.

JASMINE SEWELL

Cane Ridge, Senior, Forward

Why chosen: District 12-AAA MVP registered 41 goals and three assists for the Region 6-AAA semifinalist Lady Ravens.

OLIVIA WINNETT

Brentwood, Senior, Midfielder

Why chosen: District 11-AAA Offensive Player of the Year scored 20 goals while also providing eight assists for the Region 6-AAA runner-up Lady Bruins.

MACKENZIE FIREK

Ravenwood, Senior, Midfielder

Why chosen: Belmont commitment garnered All-District 11-AAA honors by tallying 11 goals and 13 assists for the Lady Raptors.

KARA WEGNER

CPA, Senior, Midfielder

Why chosen: Chattanooga commitment registered nine goals and 12 assists for the Class A/AA quarterfinalist Lady Lions.

BLARE GERIDO

Ravenwood, Junior, Defender

Why chosen: District 11-AAA Defensive Player of the Year helped anchor a Lady Raptors defense that posted five shutouts.

MADISON LOUK

Siegel’s Madison Louk.

Siegel, Senior, Defender

Why chosen: District 7-AAA Defensive Player of the Year and Miami (Fla.) commitment helped lead a Lady Stars defense that didn’t concede a single goal in league play.

KIRSTEN NICOLE LAPLANTE

Lincoln County, Senior, Defender

Why chosen: District 8-AAA Midfielder of the Year scored 28 goals with 32 assists for the Class AAA quarterfinalist Lady Falcons.

JESSIE HARVEY

Franklin, Senior, Goalkeeper

Why chosen: Georgia commitment and All-District 11-AAA selection posted nine shutouts in 15 games, conceding an average of just 0.6 goals per contest.

SECOND TEAM

F: Peyton DePriest, Franklin, Jr.

F: Olivia Doak, Shelbyville, Sr.

F: Madisson Davis, White House, So.

MF: Sydney Cason, Hendersonville, Jr.

MF: Karlie Paschall, Ravenwood, Jr.

MF: Chloe Tremblay, BGA, Jr.

MF: Sydney Hunt, FRA, Sr.

DEF: Megan Henry, Page, So.

DEF: Claire Almaraz, Hendersonville, Jr.

DEF: Lauren Turnbull, Cookeville, Jr.

GK: Jenna Rolfe, Ensworth, Jr.

Tennessee Sports Writers Association

The TSWA Class 5A and 6A All-State Football teams

(The Division II-A and Division II-AA teams were announced Monday . The Class 1A and 2A teams were announced Tuesday . The Class 3A and 4A teams were released Wednesday )

CLASS 5A

Offense

QB: Deuce Wallace, Sevier County

QB: Andrew Bunch, Independence

RB: Tanner Thomas, Farragut

RB: DeAndre Delaney, Morristown West

WR: Tee Higgins, Oak Ridge

WR: Nate Johnson, Independence

WR: Devante Matthews, Sevier County

OL: Nate Wilkinson, Centennial

OL: Jonathan Timmons, Southwind

OL: Pete Dorsten, Independence

OL: Jordan Seal, Morristown East

OL: Eli Katina, Centennial

ATH: Tyler Thackerson, Clinton

ATH: Jerry Craine, Wooddale

K: Carter Phillipy, Farragut

Defense

DL: Gunner Osbron, Henry County

DL: Cole Strange, Farragut

DL: Chris Beavers, Independence

DL: Malcom Swann, Hillsboro

LB: J.D. Griffin, Sevier County

LB: Jeremiah Jackson, Ooltewah

LB: Zack Camp, Brighton

LB: Tyler Pendleton, Rhea County

DB: Justin Kirkendall, Farragut

DB: Rashun Freeman, Ooltewah

DB: Calvin Smith, Morristown West

DB: Cole Huner, Independence

ATH: Maleik Gray, LaVergne

ATH: Tyrel Dodson, Centennial

P: Brandon Nickle, Oak Ridge

CLASS 6A

Defense

QB: Cole Copeland, Bradley Central

QB: Dylan Hopkins, Maryville

RB: Taeler Dowdy, Blackman

RB: Vic Johnson, Cookeville

WR: Kelby Brock, Maryville

WR: Dillon Mitchell, White Station

WR: Ikenna Okeke, Smyrna

OL: Devin Salter, Whitehaven

OL: Kalani Smith, Mt. Juliet

OL: Hudson Smith, Oakland

OL: Matthew Leifheit, Blackman

OL: Lakin McCall, Maryville

ATH: Chris Rowland, Ravenwood

ATH: Gabe Angel, Cookeville

K: Crews Holt, Ravenwood

Defense

DL: Ty Nix, Oakland

DL: Jordan Moore, Ravenwood

DL: Korey Tillman, Blackman

DL: Matt Young, Maryville

LB: Jackson Cauthen, Oakland

LB: Bryson Tolley, Science Hill

LB: T.D. Blackmon, Maryville

LB: John Thompson, Ravenwood

DB: Isaac Aguero, Hardin Valley

DB: Blake Taylor, Blackman

DB: Ian Cleveland, Smyrna

DB:  Rodney Saulsberry, Whitehaven

ATH: JaCoby Stevens, Oakland

ATH: Andrew Lutgens, Ravenwood

P: Jacob Smith, Siegel

Reach Michael Murphy at 615-259-8262 and on Twitter @Murph_TNsports. 

Alex Walsh recently broke two records previously held by four-time Olympic gold medalist Missy Franklin.

Spotting young athletic talent is easier said than done.

But there are indicators to look for that may hint at future success.

Harpeth Hall eighth-grader and Nashville Aquatic Club standout swimmer Alex Walsh set off some indicator lights for Midstate swim fans at the Eastern Junior Nationals in Atlanta the weekend of Dec. 12, when she broke two records previously held by four-time Olympic gold medalist Missy Franklin.

Walsh, who qualified for Olympic trials at the NAC Nike Summer Sizzler in July, became the fastest girl to ever swim the 200-meter individual medley and the 100-meter backstroke in the 13-14 age group.

Pleasant surprise

Walsh wasn’t aware she had a shot at either of Franklin’s records when the day began.

“I didn’t really know about the record before the meet,” the 14-year-old said. “All I wanted to do was get the best time.”

That didn’t make it any less exciting for Walsh when she found out she was the new record-holder.

“When I touched the wall and saw, I was just super happy and proud of myself,” Walsh said. “It was just a really big accomplishment and all my hard work paid off.”

The accomplishment was even more exciting for the fan inside Walsh.

“It’s kind of a coincidence because Missy Franklin is one of my favorite swimmers,” she said. “That’s really exciting for me.”

Head of the pack

She may be grabbing the headlines, but Walsh isn’t the only swimmer finding success with NAC.

At the same meet, 15-year-old teammate Allie Rabb set a new meet record in the 200 breaststroke.

And she’s not even the only star in her family.

Walsh’s little sister, Gretchen, garnered attention at the Junior Nationals when she had the fastest time in the country in three events in the 12-year-old competitions.

But the older sister may be the highest touted swimmer at the club.

“Right now she’s (Alex) kind of the superstar,” NAC coach John Morse said. “Her times are out there for her age.”

Olympic aspirations 

Walsh started swimming around the age of 6, but it wasn’t until a few years later that she turned her full attention to swimming. Until then she participated in just about any sport that took place in the water.

“I used to do diving, and synchronized swimming and water polo,” she said. “When I was like 10 years old I started really excelling at swimming, so it was then that I decided to pursue it as my main sport and really commit to it.”

Now with her focus on swimming, Walsh has set the bar high for herself, and hopes to one day swim for Team USA in the Olympic Games.

And she may have a good chance at doing just that.

“Just from my observation, I would think that she’s going to be an elite-level athlete,” Morse said. “She’s definitely in contention as far as on the national level.”

Reach Sam Brown at 615-259-8232 and on Twitter @SamBrownTN.

Alex Walsh

Age: 14

Family: Parents Robert and Glynis, sister Gretchen (12)

School: Harpeth Hall

Year: Eighth grade

Favorite event: 200 IM

Favorite subject: Science

The Tennessean 2015 All-Midstate Football Team

FIRST-TEAM OFFENSE

Andrew Bunch

ANDREW BUNCH

Independence, Senior

Quarterback

Ht: 6-1 Wt: 190

Why chosen: Class 5A BlueCross Bowl offensive MVP threw for 3,405 yards and 41 TDs in just 11 games, helping lead the Eagles to a perfect 15-0 record and their first state title in program history.

MBA’s Ty Chandler

TY CHANDLER

MBA, Junior

Running back

Ht: 6-0 Wt: 188

Why chosen: DII-AA Mr. Football Back of the Year carried the ball a Midstate-leading 347 times for 2,585 yards and 34 TDs, helping guide the Big Red back to the BlueCross Bowl for a second straight season.

Kenwood’s Antwuan Branch

ANTWUAN BRANCH

Kenwood, Junior

Running back

Ht: 6-0 Wt: 205

Why chosen: Region 6-4A MVP eclipsed the 200-yard mark six times on the season, including a 384-yard, five-TD effort, and finished the year with 2,595 yards and 27 scores.

Independence’s Nate Johnson.

NATE JOHNSON

Independence, Senior

Wide receiver

Ht: 5-11 Wt: 175

Why chosen: Region 5-5A MVP and Michigan commitment hauled in 87 receptions for 1,713 yards and 27 TDs, helping lead the Eagles to a perfect 15-0 record and their first state title in program history.

Pearl-Cohn’s Rontavius Groves.

RONTAVIUS GROVES

Pearl-Cohn, Senior

Wide receiver

Ht: 5-11 Wt: 175

Why chosen: Region 5-4A offensive MVP and North Carolina commitment made 57 catches for 1,067 yards and 14 touchdowns for the Class 4A semifinalist Firebirds.

Cookeville’s Gabe Angel.

GABE ANGEL

Cookeville, Senior

Tight end

Ht: 6-3 Wt. 212

Why chosen: Versatile Ole Miss commitment made an impact both through the air and on the ground for the Cavaliers, racking up 379 yards receiving, 355 yards rushing and 11 total TDs.

Brentwood Academy’s Ryan Johnson.

RYAN JOHNSON

Brentwood Academy, Senior

Offensive line

Ht: 6-6 Wt. 285

Why chosen: Four-star Tennessee commitment helped lead the way for an offense that averaged a DII-AA-leading 437.1 yards and 44.3 points per game en route to the school’s first state title since 2006.

Brentwood Academy’s Bryce Mathews.

BRYCE MATHEWS

Brentwood Academy, Senior

Offensive line

Ht: 6-6 Wt: 285

Why chosen: Four-star Ole Miss commitment helped lead the way for an offense that averaged a DII-AA leading 437.1 yards and 44.3 points per game en route to the school’s first state title since 2006.

Oakland’s Hudson Smith

HUDSON SMITH

Oakland, Senior

Offensive line

Ht: 6-3 Wt: 285

Why chosen: Region 2-6A co-offensive lineman of the year helped pave the way for Oakland’s powerful Wing-T offense, and the two-way standout also aided a stellar defense for the Class 6A semifinalist Patriots.

MBA’s Joseph Scowden.

JOSEPH SCOWDEN

MBA, Senior

Offensive line

Ht: 6-4 Wt: 290

Why chosen: Columbia commitment anchored the charge up front for the running back Ty Chandler and the DII-AA runner-up Big Red, who averaged 268.3 yards rushing per contest.

Centennial’s Eli Katina

ELI KATINA

Centennial, Junior

Offensive line

Ht: 6-2 Wt: 291

Why chosen: Region 7-5A offensive lineman of the year was instrumental in Centennial’s success on the ground, opening up holes for the Class 5A semifinalist Cougars’ 2,366 yards and 33 rushing scores.

Ravenwood’s Crews Holt.

CREWS HOLT

Ravenwood, Senior

Kicker

Ht: 5-9 Wt: 150

Why chosen: Mr. Football Kicker of the Year connected on 17 of 23 field attempts, including a school-record 55-yarder in the Raptors’ semifinal win over Whitehaven, while also hitting 65 of 66 extra-point attempts.

Brentwood Academy’s Jeremiah Oatsvall.

JEREMIAH OATSVALL

Brentwood Academy, Junior

Athlete

Ht: 6-0 Wt: 190

Why chosen: DII-AA BlueCross Bowl Offensive MVP threw for 1,965 yards, ran for 1,164 yards and accounted for 30 total TDs in 2015, leading the Eagles to a 12-1 record and the program’s first state title since 2006.

FIRST-TEAM DEFENSE

Independence’s Chris Beavers.

CHRIS BEAVERS

Independence, Senior

Defensive line

Ht: 6-3 Wt: 195

Why chosen: Region 5-5A defensive lineman of the year tallied 83 tackles, 15 sacks, three forced fumbles and a pair of fumble recoveries for the state champion Eagles.

Brentwood Academy’s Brandon Adams.

BRANDON ADAMS

Brentwood Academy, Senior

Defensive line

Ht: 6-1 Wt: 322

Why chosen: Three-star Vanderbilt commitment recorded 82 stops (14.5 for negative yardage), four sacks and a forced fumble for the DII-AA champion Eagles.

Oakland’s Ty Nix.

TY NIX

Oakland, Senior

Defensive line

Ht: 6-0 Wt: 270

Why chosen: MTSU commitment and Region 2-6A defensive MVP registered 70 tackles (21.5 for negative yardage), five sacks and an interception for the semifinalist Patriots.

Father Ryan’s Jeremy Darvin

JEREMY DARVIN

Father Ryan, Senior

Defensive line

Ht: 6-3 Wt: 285

Why chosen: Three-star Western Kentucky commitment posted 54 tackles (seven for negative yardage), four sacks, four forced fumbles and a pair of fumble recoveries for the Irish.

Nashville Christian’s Daniel Bituli

DANIEL BITULI

Nashville Christian, Senior

Linebacker

Ht: 6-3 Wt: 235

Why chosen: Class 1A Mr. Football Lineman of the Year and Tennessee commitment tallied a team-leading 89 tackles (13 for negative yardage) and 10.5 sacks, leading the Eagles to a 14-1 record and their first state title in program history.

Centennial’s Tyrel Dodson

TYREL DODSON

Centennial, Senior

Linebacker

Ht: 6-2 Wt: 235

Why chosen: Class 5A Mr. Football Lineman of the Year and Texas A&M commitment recorded a team-leading 111 tackles (32 for negative yardage), eight sacks and a pair of interceptions for the semifinalist Cougars.

CPA’s Chip Omer.

CHIP OMER

CPA, Senior

Linebacker

Ht: 6-0 Wt: 200

Why chosen: Region 5-3A most versatile winner registered 80 tackles (11 for negative yardage), two sacks, a pair of interceptions, three forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries while also piling up 1,326 yards rushing and 14 TDs for the runner-up Lions.

Oakland’s JaCoby Stevens.

JACOBY STEVENS

Oakland, Junior

Defensive back

Ht: 6-2 Wt: 200

Why chosen: Region 2-6A co-MVP concluded his junior season with 84 tackles (21.5 for negative yardage), 1.5 sacks, six interceptions, six pass breakups and a pair of fumble recoveries.

Smyrna’s Ikenne Okeke.

IKENNE OKEKE

Smyrna, Senior

Defensive back

Ht: 6-2 Wt: 200

Why chosen: Region 2-6A co-MVP registered 74 tackles and a pair of interceptions for the quarterfinalist Bulldogs, and the Texas A&M commitment also added 849 yards receiving and a pair of scores.

Ravenwood’s Andrew Lutgens.

ANDREW LUTGENS

Ravenwood, Senior

Defensive back

Ht: 6-2 Wt: 185

Why chosen: All-Region 3-6A selection recorded 62 tackles (11 for negative yardage) and a team-leading four interceptions for the Class 6A champion Raptors despite missing the first two games with a back injury.

Hillsboro’s Malique Fleming.

MALIQUE FLEMING

Hillsboro, Senior

Defensive back

Ht: 5-11 Wt: 190

Why chosen: Region 6-5A defensive MVP tallied a team-leading 78 tackles, six forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries, nine pass breakups and an interception for the quarterfinalist Burros.

Brentwood’s Tucker Day.

TUCKER DAY

Brentwood, Junior

Punter

Ht: 6-2 Wt: 190

Why chosen: Region 7-5A punter of the year averaged 40.94 yards per kick, downing 12 of his 35 attempts inside the 20.

Ravenwood’s Chris Rowland.

CHRIS ROWLAND

Ravenwood, Senior

Returner

Ht: 5-9 Wt: 170

Why chosen: Region 3-6A MVP averaged 44 yards per kick return and 16.9 yards per punt return, scoring six of his team-leading 26 total TDs via returns.

SECOND-TEAM OFFENSE

QB: Ashton Posey, Marshall County, Sr.

RB: Taeler Dowdy, Blackman, Sr.

RB: Vic Johnson, Cookeville, Sr.

WR: Camron Johnson, Brentwood Academy, So.

WR: Taylor Thompson, Columbia Academy, Sr.

TE: O.J. Davis, Shelbyville, Sr.

OL: Pete Dorsten, Independence, Sr.

OL: Caden Williams, Franklin, Jr.

OL: Blake Mitchell, Ensworth, Sr.

OL: Tamim Aldarawcheh, Overton, Sr.

OL: Brian Garvey, Brentwood Academy, Sr.

K: Logan Trimmer, White House, Sr.

ATH: Jordan Tucker, Giles County, Sr.

SECOND-TEAM DEFENSE

DL: Malcolm Swann, Hillsboro, Sr.

DL: Jordan Moore, Ravenwood, Sr.

DL: Michael Flowers, DCA, Sr.

DL: Rakavian Poydras, Clarksville, Sr.

LB: Hunter Dupree, Independence, Jr.

LB: John Thompson, Ravenwood, Sr.

LB: Maleik Gray, La Vergne, Sr.

DB: Kylan Stribling, Independence, Sr.

DB: Terrell Carter, Hendersonville, Jr.

DB: Blake Taylor, Blackman, Sr.

DB: Ian Cleveland, Smyrna, Sr.

P: Jacob Smith, Siegel, Jr.

RET: Mareio McGraw, Nashville Christian, Sr.

THIRD-TEAM OFFENSE

QB: Jimmy Ferrell, Pearl-Cohn, Sr.

RB: Dylan Linder, Livingston Academy, Sr.

RB: Darius Morehead, Ensworth, Sr.

WR: Marcus Cawthorne, BGA, Sr.

WR: Jay Howard, Marshall County, Jr.

TE: Jaylen Jackson, Nashville Christian, Sr.

OL: Boone Sweeney, Forrest, Sr.

OL: Chris Cato-Ellis, Springfield, Sr.

OL: Kalani Smith, Mt. Juliet, Sr.

OL: Jaelin Fisher, Pearl-Cohn, Sr.

OL: Sam Jackson, Lipscomb, Sr.

K: Isaac Way, Brentwood Academy, Sr.

ATH: Zack Weatherly, CPA, Sr.

THIRD-TEAM DEFENSE

DL: Gunner Osbron, Henry County, Sr.

DL: Brant Lawless, Nashville Christian, So.

DL: Roy Hunter, Hillsboro, Sr.

DL: Rutger Reitmaier, Lipscomb, Jr.

LB: Jacob Phillips, East Nashville Jr.

LB: Antwon Malone, Pearl-Cohn, Jr.

LB: Jackson Cauthen, Oakland, Jr.

DB: DeVarius Cortner, East Nashville, Sr.

DB: Spence Jones, FRA, Sr.

DB: Price Perdue, CPA, Sr.

DB: Corey Simmons, Stratford, Sr.

P: Grayson Linde, Ravenwood, Sr.

RET: Jimmyrious Parker, Pearl-Cohn, So.

MBA’s Ty Chandler breaks free of Brentwood Academy’s Cam Johnson during the BlueCross Bowl.

Ty Chandler is arguably one of the best backs — if not the best — in Tennessee.

But that level of praise still might fall short of how good those who know him believe he is.

“He’s the best running back I’ve coached against or had,” MBA coach Marty Euverard said. “He’s the best running back I’ve ever seen.”

That’s high praise from a coach who had to prepare for the likes of former Ensworth and current Miami (Fla.) standout Corn Elder and former Riverdale standout Ralph King.

Chandler is The Tennessean’s 2015 football player of the year.

The Division II-AA Mr. Football Back of the year rushed 347 times for 2,585 yards and 34 touchdowns in 2015 to help lead MBA to the DII-AA state title game. The Big Red came up just short against rival Brentwood Academy in a 56-55, double-overtime loss that took a two-point conversion to determine a winner.

Brentwood Academy tops MBA on 2-point try in 2OT for title

And the junior workhorse can do more than rush for big numbers. He returned two kicks for touchdowns this season, including a 99-yard state championship-record kickoff return, and also caught five passes for 121 yards and two more scores.

If he wasn’t the star running back for the Big Red, he might see more time as return man and receiver due to his ability to play all over the field.

“He can catch anything,” Euverard said. “I saw him make a catch in practice one time and I don’t know if I’ve ever seen a better catch.”

Chandler said he owes his all-around skills to his attention to detail.

MBA’s Ty Chandler weaves through traffic during the BlueCross Bowl.

“It’s just about being versatile and working on the little things,” Chandler said. “That’s a big part of it.”

Chandler heated up when it counted most for MBA (11-2). During the team’s first DII-AA East/Middle Region contest against McCallie in Week 5 he broke free for 279 yards and four touchdowns (the first of three games in a row with four TDs).

His lowest rushing total in DII-AA play was 188 yards. He eclipsed the 200-yard mark six times over the final nine games, including a 305-yard performance in the semifinals against Christian Brothers. He averaged 31 carries a game during that nine-game stretch.

“Getting 30-plus and 40-plus carries is all about conditioning,” Chandler said. “If it weren’t for conditioning I wouldn’t be able to that.”

MBA’s Chandler scores 5 TDs against McCallie

He wasn’t just a workhorse for MBA. Chandler could also break the long run.

“You know he’s got a chance,” Euverard said. “If he breaks the first line, you like your odds.”

And despite opponents’ game plans to slow Chandler down, they are typically left wondering what happened when the game ends.

In the state title game loss to the Eagles, Chandler racked up 398 all-purpose yards, three rushing scores and a 40-yard touchdown reception on 44 total touches to leave an impression on Brentwood Academy coach Cody White.

“Ty Chandler is phenomenal,” White said.

MBA runs wild over JPII

He added that Chandler wasn’t just hard to stop, but doing so was something the Eagles still weren’t sure how to do.

“We haven’t stopped him yet,” White said. “I’ll tell you when we do.”

For Chandler, his successful junior campaign gives him high hopes he can continue when the Big Red hit the field for his senior year in 2016.

“I think it gives the whole team confidence,” Chandler said. “Even though we came up a little short, I think it gives us a big advantage going into next year.”

Reach Sam Brown at 615-259-8232 and on Twitter @SamBrownTN.

MBA’s Ty Chandler drags a horde of Brentwood Academy tacklers with him during the DII-AA state title game.

FOOTBALL PLAYER OF THE YEAR

TY CHANDLER

MBA, Junior

Why chosen: Chandler led MBA to the Division II-AA state championship game where the Big Red fell to Brentwood Academy 56-55 on a two-point conversion in double overtime. The DII-AA Mr. Football Back of the year rushed 347 times for 2,585 yards and 34 touchdowns. He also had five receptions for 121 yards and two more scores, adding another two touchdowns of nine kick returns, including a state championship game record 99-yard return in the loss to the Eagles. 

College plans: Considering offers from Notre Dame, Georgia, Ole Miss, Tennessee, LSU and Ohio State among others.

Family: Parents Chico and Katrina Chandler, sister, Madisyn (8) and brother, Jonah (5).

Nickname: Ty (full name Tykevious).

Best high school sports moment: “Winning the 2014 state championship.”

Favorite sports team: Carolina Panthers

Dream job: “To be a physical therapist.”

Favorite teacher: Roddy Story (history).

Instagram or Snapchat: Snapchat

Fall or spring: “Fall, because that’s when I get a chance to get back on the field and do what I love, play football.”

HELEN COMER/DNJ Riverdale’s Anastasia Hayes (right) goes up for a shot as Blackman’s Crystal Dangerfield (left) defends.

A looks at the top high school basketball teams in Middle Tennessee, as ranked by The Tennessean:

Boys

Station Camp senior forward Yalen Reed

10. Hillsboro (6-2) — The Burros, coming off a pair of wins over District 12-AAA foes Hunters Lane and Overton, will face unbeaten Blackman on Monday at the Father Ryan Christmas Classic. Last week: No. 10.

9. East Nashville (11-1) — The Eagles, coming off a 63-52 win over White House-Heritage, will square off with Stewarts Creek on Monday at the Beech Holiday Classic. Last week: No. 9. 

8. Maplewood (10-2) — The Panthers, who scored a season-high 102 points in last week’s win over Kenwood, will host three straight District 10-AA contests when they return to action. Last week: No. 8. 

7. Oakland (9-0) — The unbeaten Patriots captured a pair of lopsided wins at last week’s Red Raider Christmas Classic, cruising to victories over Tullahoma and Coffee County by a combined score of 136-65. Last week: No. 7. 

6. Ensworth (7-0) — The unbeaten Tigers will square off with tournament host Barron Collier (Fla.) on Monday — their first of four games at the Gulfshore Holiday Hoopfest in Naples, Fla. Last week: No. 5.

5. Station Camp (13-0) — The Bison notched their 13th straight win in lopsided fashion last week in Chattanooga, coasting to an 80-23 championship rout of host Hixson at the River City Sports Wildcat Holiday Tournament. Last week: No. 6. 

4. Cane Ridge (8-0) — The unbeaten Raptors, who’ll face Mt. Juliet on Monday at the Father Ryan Christmas Classic, haven’t taken the court since their 68-43 win over Duluth (Ga.) on Dec. 12. Last week: No. 4. 

3. Independence (10-1) — Grayson Murphy scored 30 points in last Monday’s 54-46 win over Bob Jones (Ala.) — the Eagles’ second straight victory since suffering a 75-52 defeat to Christian County (Ky.). Last week: No. 3.

2. Blackman (11-0) — The Blaze stretched their winning streak to 11 games with a pair of wins over James Clemens (Ala.) and Bob Jones (Ala.) at last week’s La Vergne Christmas Classic. Last week: No. 2.

1. Brentwood Academy (10-0) — Sophomore standout Darius Garland scored 23 points in leading the Eagles to a 71-64 win over Trinity (Ky.) in last week’s King of the Bluegrass championship. Last week: No. 1.

Girls

10. Davidson Academy (12-0) — The Lady Bears, winners of 12 straight, are in the midst of their longest winning streak since the 2004-2005 season. Last week: No. 10. 

9. Father Ryan (10-0) — The unbeaten Lady Irish have been getting it done with defense, limiting their first 10 opponents to a state-low 25.7 points per contest. Last week: No. 9. 

8. Rossview (12-1) — The Lady Hawks, who suffered a 20-point setback to Dickson County on Dec. 17, bounced back to beat CPA and Houston County at last week’s Rossview Christmas Classic. Last week: No. 8.

7. Stewarts Creek (12-1) — The Lady Red Hawks, led by juniors Brandi and Brianah Ferby, have won three in a row since suffering a 76-50 defeat to Riverdale on Dec. 11. Last week: No. 7. 

6. Dickson County (10-1) — Lea Lea Carter, Emily Beard and Kailey Rosenbaum each scored in double figures in the Lady Cougars’ Dec. 12 win over previously unbeaten Rossview. Last week: No. 6.

5. Oakland (7-1) — The Abby Wright-led Lady Patriots, winners of seven straight, will play host to District 7-AAA foes Riverdale and Blackman when they return to action. Last week: No. 5. 

4. Wilson Central (11-0) — Senior UT Martin signee Kendall Spray buried a TSSAA-record 14 3-pointers in the Lady Wildcats’ 88-40 win over previously unbeaten Harpeth Hall. Last week: No. 4. 

3. Brentwood Academy (8-3) — The Lady Eagles dropped a pair of games to stiff competition at last week’s Nike Tournament of Champions in Gilbert, Ariz. — the first back-to-back losses for the program since January 2014. Last week: No. 3. 

2. Riverdale (12-1) — The Anastasia Hayes-led Lady Warriors, who host Lee (Ala.) at the Riverdale State Farm Classic on Monday, have strung together five straight double-digit wins since their 51-48 loss to Blackman on Dec. 8. Last week: No. 2.

1. Blackman (7-1) — Connecticut signee Crystal Dangerfield is averaging 25.6 points, 4.1 rebounds and 3.4 assists for the two-time defending Class AAA champion Lady Blaze. Last week: No. 1. 

Reach Michael Murphy at 615-259-8262 and on Twitter @Murph_TNsports . 

The Tennessee Sports Writers Association (TSWA) All-State Volleyball Teams were announced, with several Midstate players among those honored.

Tennessee Sports Writers Association

The TSWA All-State players are listed below, by classification:

CLASS AAA
Abby Akins, Portland
Madi Howell, Farragut
Garrett Joiner, Brentwood
Alexis Parker, Farragut
Asha Phillips, Siegel
Molly Shaw, Tennessee
Anne Abernathy, Farragut
Alexyss Lange, Dyer County
Kaela Massey, Brentwood
Chesney McClellan, Bearden
Liz Bossong, Siegel
Liz Schwartz, Brentwood
Mandy Stallard, Science Hill
Kailey Keeble, Heritage
Bre Carlton, Franklin
Kristin Demonbreun, Siegel

CLASS AA
Carli Batsel, Page
Kamila Cieslik, Knox Catholic
Shea Dean, South Side
Caroline Henderson, Christian Academy of Knoxville
Gracie Liljenquist, Dyersburg
Hannah Price, Sullivan South
Emma Carico, Sullivan South
Amber Jones, Page
Gracie Whitt, Knox Catholic
Rachel DeLung, Sullivan South
Tessa Liljenquist, Dyersburg
Harley Masoner, Camden

CLASS A
Lou Phillips, Goodpasture
Jordan Jones, Goodpasture
Jennifer Rochelle, Goodpasture
Taylor Lamb, South Greene
Brooke Davis, South Greene
Lily Felts, Berean Christian
Allie Koepfer, Concord Christian
Kristin Barnes, Eagleville
Katie Tillman, Trinity Christian Academy
Megan Leslie, Middleton
Anna Claire Winchester, Trinity Christian Academy
Kenzie Kilburn, Summertown
Kassidy Allen, Jackson County

DIVISION II
Nicklin Hames, Knox Webb
Frances Harrison, Knox Webb
Kayleigh Hames, Knox Webb
Lauren Dorrell, Father Ryan
Gabby Gray, Baylor
Olivia Rolick, Father Ryan
Aja Jones, Friendship Christian
Carysn Starr, Briarcrest Christian
Alyiah Wells, Briarcrest Christian
Kaelyn Wilson, Zion Christian
Hannah Cox, Briarcrest Christian
Lily Turner, Baylor
Lauren Bars, Harpeth Hall
Bethune Haven, Baylor
Callie Anderton, Briarcrest
Scout McLerran, Knox Webb