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Tyler Brown resigns as Wilson Central boys basketball coach

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Basketball

Basketball

The Wilson Central boys basketball program will have its third head coach in three seasons after Tyler Brown recently resigned after one year at the helm.

Brown is leaving to serve as an assistant basketball coach at Spring Hill.

Brown led the Wildcats to a 12-15 overall record and a 4-10 mark in District 9-AAA last season, suffering a 70-56 loss to Lebanon in their postseason opener.

Brown had previous coaching stints as a head girls basketball coach, spending the previous two seasons at Hickman County after a four-year stint at Santa Fe.

Brown succeeded Troy Bond, who was the only coach in the program’s history before he left to coach at Oakland. Bond led the program to 292 wins and four state-tournament appearances over 14 seasons.

Wilson Central lost two of its top three scorers, guards Desmond Mason and Aaron Schoch, from a seven-member senior class.

The Wildcats’ leading returning scorer will be rising junior forward Gavin Johnson.


Son of former Titan among two to commit to Vanderbilt

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Grant Miller became the second commitment for the Commodores' 2017 recruiting class Wednesday.

Grant Miller became the second commitment for the Commodores’ 2017 recruiting class Wednesday.

Vanderbilt picked up two commitments this week from offensive linemen for its 2017 recruiting class.

Grant Miller from Saint Thomas Aquinas High in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., committed Wednesday, and Bryce Bailey from Castle High in Newburgh, Ind., did so Thursday. Both made the announcement via Twitter.

They are the third and fourth commitments for 2017, all coming in the last week. They join quarterback Jacob Free and linebacker Colin Anderson.

The 6-foot-5, 275-pound Miller is the son of former Titans offensive lineman Fred Miller and is the second son of a Titans player to commit to Vanderbilt. Running back Jaire George, the son of former Titans great Eddie George, is currently on the Vanderbilt roster.

Miller tweeted Wednesday evening: “I would like to thank God, my family and my coaches for their support and faith in me. I’d also like to thank each and every coach that has believed in me enough to recruit me. I have decided to take the next step and commit to Vanderbilt University. Proud to be a Commodore in 2017. Anchor Down!”

Both Rivals and 247Sports gave Miller a two-star rating. According to 247Sports, Miller received offers from MTSU, Minnesota, Southern Mississippi, Toledo, Samford, Marshall, Lehigh, Jackson State, Georgia State, Fresno State, Florida Atlantic, Colorado State, Florida International, Coastal Carolina, Bryant and Charlotte. 

The 6-5, 290-pound Bailey is rated as the 860th player overall in the 2017 class by 247Sports. He had offers from Illinois, Purdue, Iowa State and Syracuse.

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

Future Vols Princeton Fant, Maleik Gray ready to put La Vergne on map

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La Vergne’s Maleik Gray, left, and Princeton Fant both have committed to the Vols.

La Vergne’s Maleik Gray, left, and Princeton Fant both have committed to the Vols.

LA VERGNE — Tennessee picked up two of the top-20 college prospects in the state within a seven-day span when the La Vergne senior duo of Princeton Fant and Maleik Gray committed to be Vols

And in the process, their decisions may have put La Vergne High School on the map for Tennessee football fans.

If both sign with the Vols on signing day Feb. 1, it will mark the first time the North Rutherford high school has had two Tennessee signees in the same class. Commitments are nonbinding for the school and the athlete.

Gray, a 6-foot-2, 190-pound linebacker, is a four-star prospect and the fourth-ranked prospect in the state by 247Sports. He probably will be a safety or nickelback at Tennessee. Fant, a 6-3, 210-pound wide receiver, is a three-star prospect and the 17th-ranked prospect in the state by 247Sports.

“This is going to put La Vergne on the map for sure,” Fant said. “We want to put La Vergne on the map this season.

“That doesn’t put pressure on us because I love the game. I’m going to play ball.”

If both Fant and Gray sign with schools in the SEC, it will mark the second time for the La Vergne football program. La Vergne had two SEC signees in 2008 when offensive lineman Michael Bryant signed with Vanderbilt and Collins Ukwu inked with Kentucky.

Fant and Gray aren’t thinking too much about college right now with their futures decided. They said they’ve turned their attention to their academics as well as their high school football team.

“Right now, I want to really focus on my academics and what major I may want to focus on,” said Gray, who was a Mr. Football semifinalist in 2015 and recorded 57 tackles with two sacks and recovered two fumbles. “I look forward now to a very successful senior season.

“It’s just a matter now to how bad we want it. We need to put in the work in the weight room and on the field.”

La Vergne is coming off a 6-5 season with a first-round loss to Hillsboro in the Class 5A playoffs. But Fant did not play last season because of a knee injury suffered prior to the season.

The two future Vols will play on both sides of the ball at La Vergne this fall. Fant will play safety and receiver. Gray is an outside linebacker and receiver. That gives quarterback Keianthony Conner two big targets to throw to this season.

“I want to focus on high school football and finish the season with a bang,” Fant said.

Gray said he wasn’t surprised when Fant committed to Tennessee. Fant had told his teammate he’d be committing during Tennessee’s Orange Carpet Day. The Vols received eight commitments Saturday during the event, where numerous college recruits are on campus for the day. Gray, who had committed six days prior, also attended Orange Carpet Day and was in awe of how the day went.

“It meant a lot to me to be playing with someone (in college) that I played with throughout high school,” Gray said. “Being able to go to the next level together is great. I asked him (when I committed), ‘When are you going to make that move?’ ”

The answer came soon.

“I always wanted to be a Vol,” Fant said. “I had been thinking about it for a long time. To me to be a Vol, you get to represent your state.

“It just feels good to be a Vol.”

Reach Tom Kreager at 615-278-5168 and on Twitter @Kreager.

George Patrick Gatorade state track athlete of the year again

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Brentwood Academy's George Patrick won his second consecutive DII decathlon.

Brentwood Academy’s George Patrick won his second consecutive DII decathlon.

Former Brentwood Academy standout George Patrick collected another award when he was named Gatorade Boys Track & Field Athlete of the Year for the state of Tennessee.

It’s the second consecutive year Patrick earned the award.

One of the nation’s top track athletes, Patrick racked up five state championships his senior season, becoming the first TSSAA male athlete to accomplish the feat in consecutive state meets.

Gatorade Boys Track & Field Athletes of the Year

He won the Division II decathlon for the second straight season and also captured state titles in the long jump (22-2.75), triple jump (46-0.25), 110-meter hurdles (14.26) and 300-meter hurdles (38.34) to account for 50 of the DII champion Eagles’ state-record 211 team points at last month’s state meet.

Patrick finished his high school career with 11 individual state titles as well as being part of three state championship teams and one state runner-up at Brentwood Academy.

“More important than all those honors and titles, George is a leader who always cares more for the team than his individual accomplishments,” said Brentwood Academy coach Brad Perry. “He also loved competing for Brentwood Academy.”

Related: All-Midstate Boys Track Team

He was named The Tennessean’s All-Midstate Male Track & Field Athlete of the Year in both his junior and senior seasons.

Patrick represented the United States at the International Association of Athletic Federations (IAAF) World Youth Championships in Cali, Colombia, last July.

Reach Cecil Joyce at 615-259-8017 and on Twitter @Cecil_Joyce.

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Riley Gaines prepares to swim in Olympic Trials

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Station Camp High rising junior Riley Gaines has competed in big swimming meets before.

Riley Gaines

Riley Gaines

But next week, she’ll swim on a national stage with a chance to represent her country.

Gaines is scheduled to travel to Omaha, Neb., to compete in the United States Olympic Team Trials for a chance to qualify for this year’s Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

“I’m really excited,” Gaines said. “I’m kind of nervous, but really excited. Actually, the nerves haven’t really set in yet.”

The 16-year-old Gaines qualified for the Olympic Trials in March by swimming her best time – 56.31 seconds – in the 100-meter freestyle in the National Club Swimming Association Junior National Championships in Orlando, Fla. The minimum time required to qualify for the trials in the 100-meter freestyle is 56.49 seconds.

She hasn’t posted a faster time since March, but she has been close.

“I’ve been all around it, and I know I can drop a little bit more,” Gaines said.

In preparing for the Olympic Trials, Gaines is either training – or doing as little as possible.

“I’ve got to stay hydrated a lot,” Gaines said. “That’s one of the big things my coaches tell me. I’ve got to sleep a lot and get a lot of rest. I can’t be out in the sun too much, and I can’t be on my legs too much. It’s like they have me on bedrest.”

Gaines has a lot of competition, as 104 other swimmers qualified for the 100-meter freestyle. She enters the event seeded 82nd, but her time is less than 1.5 seconds from the 16th-fastest qualifying time. The top 16 swimmers from Thursday’s preliminary round – slated to begin at 10 a.m. – advance to the semifinals later that evening. From there, the fastest eight swimmers make Friday evening’s finals.

“The 100 free is such a hectic race, because it’s only down (the length of the pool) and back,” Gaines said. “It’s not like you have a lot of room for error. Everything’s got to be perfect. And it’s crazy, because everyone’s times are so close.”

So, with only 16 swimmers advancing from the preliminary round, how does Gaines trim the gap and advance into the semifinals?

“It’s all about the starts and turns and the finish to me,” Gaines said. “Everyone’s the same in the pool, I think.”

Gaines is already a two-time state champion in a pair of events on the high-school level, having won the 100-yard freestyle and 100-yard butterfly in each of the past two seasons at the Tennessee Interscholastic Swim Coaches Association (TISCA) Tennessee State High School Swimming and Diving Championship Meet.

Station Camp's Riley Gaines will compete in the 100-meter freestyle at the U.S. Olympic Swimming Team Trials in Omaha, Neb., next week.

Station Camp’s Riley Gaines will compete in the 100-meter freestyle at the U.S. Olympic Swimming Team Trials in Omaha, Neb., next week.

Thursday’s race will be the first of what could be multiple opportunities for Gaines to swim on the biggest of stages. However, she prefers to take a more relaxed approach in her initial Olympic qualifying attempt.

“I’m thinking the next four years, when I’ll be in college, that it’ll be big-time serious,” Gaines said. “I’m just going to have fun with it.”

Gaines nearly qualified for four other events as well, missing the required time by a second or less in the 50-meter freestyle, 100-meter butterfly, 200-meter freestyle and 200-meter butterfly events.

“I missed a lot (of events) by just a little,” Gaines said. “I missed the 200 free by 0.3 (seconds), I missed the 200 fly by 0.5 and I missed the 50 free by 0.6. I think I was a second away in the 100 fly.”

Gaines is one of a handful of teenagers competing in her event.

“It shows that I work my butt off every day,” Gaines said. “It’s crazy. I have practices every morning, every afternoon, on Sundays when most people have a day off a lot of times.”

The preliminary heats can be seen live via NBC Sports online at www.NBCSports.com/Live, or on smartphones and tablets through the NBC Sports Live Extra app.

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

 

Kenwood's Antwuan Branch commits to Purdue

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Kenwood running back Antuan Branch (3) has committed to play at Purdue.

Kenwood running back Antuan Branch (3) has committed to play at Purdue.

When Antwuan Branch says he’s a numbers guy, he’s not talking about the yards he piles up for Kenwood High School.

The 5-foot-10, 200-pound running back means the Honors Algebra II class he took last year, and the pre-calculus that he’s (sort of) looking forward to taking in a few months.

Branch said he and his friends compete just as much off the field as on, comparing GPAs and test scores to keep each other on track.

So it’s easy to believe Branch when he says academics were a major part of his decision to commit to Purdue on Friday.

“I just felt that was the best place for me, not only football-wise but even in my future,” said Branch, who plans to major in business. “it’s the best 40-year decision for me rather than just a four-year decision. A Purdue degree is amazing.”

Branch said he carries a 3.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale, including honors and AP classes. He plans to take AP literature this year and took honors English III and AP U.S. History as a junior.

Oh yeah, the on-field numbers are impressive too.

Branch rushed for 2,595 yards and 27 touchdowns last season, averaging 8.3 yards per carry in the process. He helped Kenwood reach the second round of the state playoffs and was named the Leaf-Chronicle’s Offensive Player of the Year. He was a Tennessean All-Midstate first-team running back a season ago.

Branch said he tries to be more than just a downhill runner, whether that means lining up in the slot or protecting his quarterback.

“That goes with doing everything,” Branch said. “I take blocking as serious as me getting the ball.”

Branch’s list of 15 offers also included Army, Navy, Vanderbilt and Yale. He visited Purdue in late March and wasn’t planning on making a decision this soon.

From the day I went to Purdue I really felt comfortable and knew that was the place for me,” Branch said. “My mom, she was comfortable with it as well. That laid a nice load off of it.

“I talked to a lot of different coaches and felt the Purdue coaching staff as a whole were the most connected with me.”

Branch is the first running back to commit to Purdue’s 2017 class.

Caden Anderson to lead Martin Luther King Magnet boys hoops

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Caden Anderson has been named the boys head basketball coach at Martin Luther King Magnet.

He’ll have an area legend looking over his shoulder most of the time.

Caden Anderson is the grandson of 81-year-old Charlie Anderson, who will serve as the Royals’ assistant coach. Charlie Anderson won more than 1,000 games at the high-school and junior-college levels over a 53-year career.

Caden Anderson

Caden Anderson

“First and foremost, it’s a blessing,” Caden Anderson said. “This is a dream come true. This is something I knew would take place at some point in my life, because I was confident in my abilities. To be able to accept a head-coaching job at this stage in my life, it’s a blessing from above. With that said, it comes with a lot of responsibility.”

The 27-year-old served as the assistant coach at Battle Ground Academy for the last two seasons.

“He’s a very talented and an extremely dedicated teacher and coach,” Martin Luther King Magnet athletic director Linda Miller said. “We look forward to an outstanding season.”

The Stratford High gymnasium has been named in honor of Charlie Anderson, a Tennessee Secondary Schools Athletic Association Hall of Fame member and National Junior College Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Famer as well. Charlie Anderson led Stratford to four consecutive state-tournament appearances (from 1966-69) and last coached at Nashville Christian for 12 seasons before he was fired in April of 2014.

Caden Anderson was a four-year starter at point guard and then served as an assistant coach for his grandfather for his final two seasons at Nashville Christian.

“He’ll tell you the most fun years on the basketball court were when I played, because he didn’t have to coach,” Caden Anderson said. “He just had to coach before the games, and I would coach on the floor during the games. Coaching and being a leader on the basketball court has always come natural to me.”

Caden Anderson’s father – Chuck Anderson – served as Charlie Anderson’s long-time assistant coach.

“I’m 27 years of age, but I’ve been around the game for 27 years,” Caden Anderson said. “At dinner, we’re talking about basketball. When we’re at home, we’re watching basketball. It’s was wall-to-wall basketball.”

Anderson succeeds Brent Burns, who led the Royals to a 25-29 record over the last two seasons. Martin Luther King Magnet placed second in District 10-AA last season but was upset by Hume-Fogg in its 10-AA Tournament opener, abruptly ending its season.

Burns replaced Doc Shelton, who compiled more than 400 wins, seven state-tournament appearances and two state titles over 25 seasons.

“We’ve had seven days of practice, and I’ve worked harder the last seven days than I have the past year,” Caden Anderson said. “It is different when you are the head coach. I’ve spent more time preparing for my practices than in the hour-and-a-half practices. That first impression with these boys and the impression with their parents is the most important. You had to really set the tone from the beginning. It’s been a whirlwind.”

Despite not being able to attend any summer basketball camps, the Royals were able to scrimmage Nashville Christian, La Vergne and Riverdale on Thursday.

“It was a fun day,” Anderson said. “We are behind. All of these other schools have been working out all summer long. We’ve been doing that for a week. We’re behind, but we’re not using that as an excuse. We’re going to catch up.”

East Nashville's Shelby Golf Course turns things around

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Daryl Edens knows all too well about the number of golf courses that are shutting down across the nation.

Daryl Edens, left, head pro/manager at Shelby Golf Course, and Danielle Stewart, who runs the clubhouse, revived the historic course in East Nashville.

Daryl Edens, left, head pro/manager at Shelby Golf Course, and Danielle Stewart, who runs the clubhouse, revived the historic course in East Nashville.

The game’s popularity is declining, and courses are closing at a rate of 150 a year, according to Bloomberg.

Edens saw it happen at Ravenwood Country Club in Hermitage, which closed in 2013, a couple of years after he left after serving as head professional/general manager for 17 years.

He’s determined not to allow it to happen again. Not on his watch.

Even after he was hired by Metro Parks and sent to manage Shelby Golf Course, where speculation was rampant that it was about to close because of its poor condition and slow traffic.

Shelby, opened in 1924, is Nashville’s oldest municipal course and has long been the city’s least played.

Edens, who played football in high school at DuPont and on the semipro level but didn’t start playing golf until he was 21, vowed to change that the day he took over the historic course in 2013.

He and superintendent Scott Merritt, who had arrived six months earlier, began a renovation project that has led to a stunning turnaround.

Shelby has gone from a total of 15,000 rounds played in 2013 to more than 20,000 projected for this year, according to Metro Parks.

The course is booming again, reminiscent of the 1950s and ’60s when it was among the most popular public courses in Nashville.

It’s a different clientele today, reflecting the culture change that has taken place in booming East Nashville, the community Edens targeted on his mission to increase play.

“We went into all the bars and restaurants in Five Points and put out flyers inviting all those people to come out,” Edens said. “Many of our patrons are hipsters. They wear the skinny jeans, have tattoos and facial hair, and we welcome them,”

The remedy was simple, but it took a lot of hard work.

“We started by giving the golfers customer service,” Edens said. “Telling them we appreciated them coming in and asking them to come back.”

Danielle Stewart came aboard in 2014 to run the clubhouse and helped in a big way with the hospitality. The former Whites Creek and Tennessee State golfer also knows the game, which proved to be an added benefit.

“Danielle has a good personality and knows golf,” Edens said. “She understands how the golf course should look, how it should play. If there are any problems out there, she’s probably dealt with them being a golfer for so many years. It’s good to have someone who’s not just a counter person but also knows the golf business so well.”

Edens and Merritt vastly improved the product by adding 150-yard markers to help with blind spots, placing Porta-Potties on the course, eliminating the no-mow zones where the grass in the rough was as high as 12 inches — making it easy to lose balls — and initiating a spring maintenance program, which eliminated the clover and winter weeds.

“We got that done and people started coming back because they weren’t losing balls and they were having a good time,” Edens said. “The golf course started looking better. The greens started getting better.”

With the course back in pristine condition, Edens reached out to many of the new downtown hoteliers and encouraged them to send their guests out.

“I met with several of the hotel managers and told them we were the closest course to downtown and that they could call us any time and we would get their people out no matter what,” Edens said. “We will adjust our tee sheet to squeeze them in. We don’t turn anyone away.”


Younger Wolcott wins Capital City Open

Hunter Wolcott

Hunter Wolcott

Hunter Wolcott, the son of PGA veteran Bob Wolcott and a Tennessee Vols signee, won the 56th annual Capital City Golf Association Open at McCabe Golf Course this past week.

The Burns native fired a 12-under 128 in the two-day tournament. He led after the first round with a 7-under 63 and then shot a 5-under 65.

Casey Flenniken (130) was second followed by Eric Russell (132) and Josh Bevell (132).

Bob Wolcott is a two-time CCGA Open winner.

Three other past champions — Audie Johnson, Loren Personett and Nick Garretson — were in the field.


Jones, Barnes, Warlick to speak at UT picnic

Tennessee football coach Butch Jones, men’s basketball coach Rick Barnes and women’s basketball coach Holly Warlick will speak at the 50th annual Tennessee All-Sports Picnic on July 12.

The Nashville Region UT Alumni Chapter will serve as host at Lipscomb’s Allen Arena.

The coaches will be available for autographs.

Doors open at 5 p.m. Along with the barbecue dinner, there will be a silent auction. Tickets are available at volsconnect.com.


Reunion set for American Legion Post 82 

The 1966 Inglewood American Legion Post 82 baseball team is the only Nashville-based sandlot team (ages 17-18) ever to win the state championship.

A 50-year reunion for the team is planned for July 6 at the American Legion on Gallatin Road.

The team, which went on to win the South Central Legion tournament and advanced to the national tournament, had only 12 players — Jerry Ballou, Steve Garner, Jim Norris, Jerry Bell, Jimmy Miller, Richard Hurt, Chipper Pearson, Bill Griffith, Jimmy Andrews, Junior Foster, Larry Mangrum and Dale Speck. Charlie Care and Bill Stinnett were the coaches.


TSU coach adds two jerseys to his collection

Former Tennessee State lineman Robert “Snacks” Myers gave Tigers coach Rod Reed one of his Denver Broncos jerseys to hang on his office wall.

Former Tennessee State lineman Robert “Snacks” Myers gave Tigers coach Rod Reed one of his Denver Broncos jerseys to hang on his office wall.

TSU football coach Rod Reed’s office is decorated with framed NFL jerseys of several of the players who played under him.

Reed’s collection grew larger this past week when former Tigers offensive lineman Robert “Snacks” Myers dropped off his autographed Denver Broncos No. 70 jersey and former safety Anthony Levine his No. 41 Baltimore Ravens jersey.

Myers signed with Denver in December in time to join the Broncos on their Super Bowl run. Levine is headed into his fifth season in Baltimore.


Duo back to handle OVC football broadcast

Kevin Ingram, host of “The Wake Up Zone” on 104.5-FM, will return for his fifth year to handle play-by-play duties for the eight-game OVC football package on ESPN3 this fall.

Bob Belvin, an on-air contributor for 100.7-FM/540-AM, will be back to handle the analysis.

The OVC announced this past week that TSU will play in two of the first four games in the package. The Tigers will serve as host to UT Martin on Oct. 1 and then visit Eastern Kentucky on Oct. 15.

Tennessee Tech will play at Jacksonville State in the Oct. 8 game of the week.


Former Hunters Lane player thriving after UAB shutdown

Former Hunters Lane safety Scottie Peace has made the best of a difficult situation.

Peace was playing at UAB when the football program was abruptly eliminated in 2014. After considering several schools, Peace transferred to Arkansas-Pine Bluff and says he could not be happier.

Peace is hoping for some playing time this fall and is looking forward to returning to Nashville for the Golden Lions’ opener Sept. 3 against TSU in the John Merritt Classic at Nissan Stadium.

He also already has embarked on a career in sales, having secured an internship with Vector Marketing.

“The job gives me great experience and is preparing me for life after football,” Peace said. “I wouldn’t trade it for the world.”


Goodpasture’s Phillips inducted into softball hall of fame

Lee Phillips

Lee Phillips

Former Goodpasture coach Lee Phillips was inducted into the Tennessee Softball Coaches Association Hall of Fame on Tuesday.

In Phillips’ 15-year career as head coach (2001-15), the Cougars compiled a 528-139 record, won nine state championships and finished runner-up seven times.


Longtime Austin Peay sports information director retiring

Brad Kirtley is retiring after 32 years as the sports information director at Austin Peay.

There will be a reception in Kirtley’s honor at 3 p.m. Wednesday in the Hall of Fame Lobby in Dunn Center. The public is invited.


Assistant sports editor hired at Tennessee Tech

Cookeville Herald-Citizen assistant sports editor Thomas Corhern accepted a position in the Tennessee Tech sports information department.

Corhern, a Shelbyville native and Tech graduate, spent 10 years at the Herald-Citizen. He will handle football, softball and fall men’s tennis.

Rob Schabert retired in May after 34 years as Tech’s assistant athletics director for sports information. Mike Lehman replaced him.


Belmont associate AD moving on 

Lauren Eads

Lauren Eads

Belmont associate athletics director/senior woman administrator Lauren Eads resigned this past week to become associate AD for business management at Concordia University-Portland.

Eads, a native of West Chester, Pa., had been at Belmont since 2014.

If you have an item for Midstate Chatter, contact Mike Organ at 615-259-8021 and on Twitter @MikeOrganWriter.

SPORTS ON NASHVILLE TV

The top five local ratings for sporting events on television for June 13-19:
1. NBA Finals: Cavaliers-Warriors (Game 7), 15.7 rating
2. NBA Finals: Cavaliers-Warriors (Game 6), 11.7 rating
3. NBA Finals: Cavaliers-Warriors (Game 5), 11.5 rating
4. PGA: U.S. Open (final round), 3.2 rating
5. PGA: U.S. Open (third round), 2.0 rating
Each rating point is equal to 9,902 Nashville homes.
Source: Mark Binda, WTVF-5 programming & research direcor


Top 10 returning Nashville-area defensive backs

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East Nashville's Demarquez Trotter (5).

East Nashville’s Demarquez Trotter (5).

With the start of high school football less than two months away, here’s a look at some of the top returning Midstate defensive backs for the 2016 season, as ranked by The Tennessean’s Michael Murphy.

Football

Football

10. Ray Coggins

Wilson Central, senior
Hgt.: 
5-11 Wgt.: 185
Position: Safety

Why chosen: Coggins, a 2015 All-Region 3-6A selection and three-star Eastern Kentucky commitment, helped lead the Wildcats to a 6-7 record and a Class 6A quarterfinal appearance

JR Highlights

9. Josh Smith

Brentwood Academy's Josh Smith (19).

Brentwood Academy’s Josh Smith (19).

Brentwood Academy, senior
Hgt.:
6-1 Wgt.: 203
Position: Safety

Why chosen: Smith, a three-star prospect according to 247Sports, recorded 13 tackles, three sacks and a fumble recovery in seven games last season for the Division II-AA state champion Eagles.

junior year

8. Matthew Jackson

Hillsboro's Matthew Jackson

Hillsboro’s Matthew Jackson

Hillsboro, senior
Hgt.:
6-2 Wgt.: 180
Position: Safety

Why chosen: Jackson recorded 39 tackles from his safety spot with an interception and a pair of defensive touchdowns as a junior in 2015, helping lead the Burros to a 9-4 record and a Class 5A quarterfinal appearance.

Full season Junior

7. Jaylon King

Ensworth's Jaylon King

Ensworth’s Jaylon King

Ensworth, junior
Hgt.:
6-1 Wgt.: 170
Position: Cornerback

Why chosen: King, who has already received scholarship offers from Tennessee and Vanderbilt, tallied 45 tackles with 20 pass defenses and a pair of interceptions as a junior for the Tigers.

Sophomore Season Highlights

6. Landon Guidry

Independence's Landon Guidry

Independence’s Landon Guidry

Independence, senior
Hgt.:
6-1 Wgt.: 185
Position: Cornerback

Why chosen: Guidry, a three-star Mississippi State commitment, recorded 80 tackles, one sack, an interception and three fumble recoveries while helping lead the Eagles to a 15-0 record and a Class 5A state championship.

Junior Year Highlights

5. Rodney Owens

Ensworth's Rodney Owens (2).

Ensworth’s Rodney Owens (2).

Ensworth, senior
Hgt.:
6-0 Wgt.: 180
Position: Safety

Why chosen: In addition to posting a team-high 330 yards receiving as a junior in 2015, Owens, a three-star Louisville commitment and 2015 all-region selection, posted 52 tackles, three interceptions and nine pass breakups for the Tigers.

Junior Season Highlights

4. Kaleb Oliver

Oakland's Kaleb Oliver (6)

Oakland’s Kaleb Oliver (6)

Oakland, senior
Hgt.:
6-3 Wgt.: 190
Position: Safety

Why chosen: Oliver, a three-star Mississippi State commitment and 2015 All-Region 2-6A selection, tallied 99 tackles (including 12½ behind the line of scrimmage), with three sacks, five interceptions, six pass breakups and a pair of fumble recoveries for the Class 6A semifinalist Patriots.

Junior Year Highlights

3. Gentry Bonds

Riverdale's Gentry Bonds (left)

Riverdale’s Gentry Bonds (left)

Riverdale, senior
Hgt.:
6-1 Wgt.: 195
Position: Cornerback

Why chosen: Bonds, a three-star prospect and 2015 All-Region 2-6A selection, recorded 59 tackles (including five behind the line of scrimmage), four interceptions and a fumble recovery as a junior for the Warriors.

Gentry Bonds c/o 2017

2. Theo Jackson

Overton's Theo Jackson (5)

Overton’s Theo Jackson (5)

Overton, senior
Hgt.:
6-3 Wgt.: 185
Position: Safety

Why chosen: Jackson, a three-star Tennessee commitment who will also serve as Overton’s starting quarterback this fall, posted 33 tackles with three interceptions a season ago, helping lead the Bobcats to a 7-5 record and a Class 6A second-round playoff appearance.

junior year

1. Maleik Gray

La Vergne's Maleik Gray (left)

La Vergne’s Maleik Gray (left)

La Vergne, senior
Hgt.: 6-2 Wgt.: 205
Position: Safety

Why chosen: Gray, a four-star Tennessee commitment and 2015 All-Midstate selection, tallied 53 tackles (including 13 behind the line of scrimmage), six sacks, two interceptions and a pair of defensive touchdowns for the Wolverines last season.

2017 Maleik Gray 6’2″ 200 Safety

Other positions:

Top 10 Nashville area returning high school quarterbacks
Top 10 returning Nashville area high school RBs
Top 10 returning Nashville area high school receivers
Top 10 returning Nashville-area offensive linemen
Top 10 returning Nashville-area defensive linemen
Top 10 returning Nashville-area linebackers

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

Team Tennessee baseball thrived with top underclassmen

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C.B. SCHMELTER/The Jackson Sun After getting Loretto?s Kendall Franklin (4) out at second, Scotts Hill?s Evan Russell (4) turns the double play during a Spring Fling game in Murfreesboro last month. After getting Loretto's Kendall Franklin (4) out at second, Scotts Hill's Evan Russell (4) turns the double play during Spring Fling at Middle Tennessee Christian School's Joe Baron Field, in Murfreesboro, Tenn., on Thursday, May 26, 2016.

C.B. SCHMELTER/The Jackson Sun After getting Loretto?s Kendall Franklin (4) out at second, Scotts Hill?s Evan Russell (4) turns the double play during a Spring Fling game in Murfreesboro last month. After getting Loretto’s Kendall Franklin (4) out at second, Scotts Hill’s Evan Russell (4) turns the double play during Spring Fling at Middle Tennessee Christian School’s Joe Baron Field, in Murfreesboro, Tenn., on Thursday, May 26, 2016.

Evan Russell took an unconventional route from West Tennessee to Knoxville.

It consisted of a journey through Oklahoma.

Russell was recently named the most valuable player as Team Tennessee won the Junior Sunbelt National Championship with a 5-0 victory over Mississippi in McAlester, Okla.

Three days later, Russell verbally committed to the University of Tennessee.

“Evan went out there and was hotter than a firecracker in the first half of the tournament,” Team Tennessee coach Chris Parker said. “A lot of schools noticed.”

Team Tennessee consists of 20 of the state’s top rising underclassmen.

Russell — a utility player who led Scotts Hill High School to the Class A state title last month — didn’t have any scholarship offers entering the tournament, a six-day event consisting of teams from 10 states and Ontario, Canada.

“I was being recruited by some people, but I had no actual offers on the table,” Russell said. “Everything happened fast. It was like the second day (when) I got a call from Tennessee. That night, I got a call from MTSU. I was pretty confident after Tennessee called that they were going to offer me.”

Russell became the 18th player on the Team Tennessee roster — which consisted of one rising sophomore, four juniors and 15 seniors — to commit and the fourth future Volunteer. Seven of those are Vanderbilt University commits.

Scotts Hill’s Russell headed to UT

“We’ve had some other talented teams,” Parker said. “We just had more kids committed than in years past. I had a lot of discussions (with scouts) like, ‘I wish I had seen that guy earlier.’ When we get done, 80, 90 or sometimes 100 percent of our kids are committed.”

Said Russell: “A big part of our success was that we had so many players committed. They didn’t have to worry about failure. It kind of made me nervous. I was more worried about proving to my teammates that I could play with them and do my part.”

The players are aware of the college and professional scouts in attendance.

“Everywhere you look, there’s a scout sitting there with a stopwatch,” Russell said.

Pope John Paul II High rising senior pitcher Mason Hickman, who was the pitching most valuable player in this year’s Junior Sunbelt, had a similar experience while competing with Team Tennessee last summer.

Mason Hickman

Mason Hickman

“It was before one of our games … I was on the phone with Scott Brown (the Vanderbilt pitching coach),” Hickman said. “He mentioned that he thought I’d be a great fit at Vanderbilt. After talking to him, I thought — pretty much right there — that it would be the place for me.

“I went on my visit (days after returning from Oklahoma) and talked to coach (Tim) Corbin, who is the best coach on the planet. That sealed it for me.”

JPII junior and Vanderbilt commitment Mason Hickman

Among the college programs represented at the Junior Sunbelt this season were Vanderbilt, MTSU, Tennessee, Kansas State, Memphis and Arkansas.

Parker has led the Tennessee contingent to a 60-10 record over the last seven years. Tennessee was in the championship game for the sixth time over that span, also winning the tournament in 2011 and 2012 as well and finishing as the runner-up in 2010, 2014 and 2015.

Chris Parker

Chris Parker

“We’re the only team that hangs our state flag beside our dugout,” Hickman said. “That relates back to the state pride we take in trying to win it for Tennessee. It’s 20 players who really don’t know each other, but you look at the past guys, like (Boston Red Sox outfielder) Mookie Betts, wishing us luck. That draws success to us, and Chris Parker does a great job of not only getting good kids but (players) who bond together and create team chemistry. It’s the most fun of week of baseball I have the whole year.”

Said Parker: “We came back and beat Arizona (an 8-7 victory), and I didn’t know what to say and just said, ‘I’m so proud to be from Tennessee right now.’ They all started yelling. They take pictures with the flag. It’s a heartwarming experience.”

Reach Craig Harris at crharris@tennessean.com. Follow him on Twitter @CHTennessean.

Player, Grade, Position, High School (College commitment)

David Bates, Sr., P, Christ Presbyterian Academy (Vanderbilt)

Drew Benefield, Jr., SS, Siegel (Louisville)

Ben Brooks, Sr., SS, Pope John Paul II (Memphis)

Corbin Brooksbank, Sr., P/OF, McCallie (Vanderbilt)

Aaron Brown, Sr., P, Mt. Juliet (Mississippi State)

Philip Clarke, Sr., C, Christ Presbyterian Academy (Vanderbilt)

Tyler Gentry, Sr., P/OF, Arlington (Louisiana Tech)

Hunter Goodman, Jr., C, Arlington

Mason Hickman, Sr., P, Pope John Paul II (Vanderbilt)

Steven Jennings, Sr., P/SS, DeKalb County (Ole Miss)

Tate Kolwcyk, Jr., SS, Arlington (Vanderbilt)

Hayden Leatherwood, Sr., LF, Christian Brothers (Vanderbilt)

Chris McElvain, Soph., P, Summit (Vanderbilt)

Gunnar Ricketts, Sr., OF, Baylor (Tennessee)

Evan Russell, Sr., Utility, Scotts Hill (Tennessee)

Brandon Trammell, Sr., 3B/P, Bearden (Tennessee)

Peyton Wiggington, Sr., P, Page (MTSU)

Bailey Wimberley, Sr., P/SS, First Assembly Christian School (Memphis)

Corey Wilson, Jr., P/INF, Houston

Nick Woods, Sr., P/SS, East Hamilton (Tennessee)

2016 TSWA all-state baseball teams

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Here’s a look at the 2016 Tennessee Sports Writers Association all-state baseball teams:

2016 TSWA all-state baseball teams

2016 TSWA all-state baseball teams

Summit's Wil Dalton

Summit’s Wil Dalton

Class AAA

C: Hunter Goodman, Arlington

IF: Duncan Pence, Farragut

IF: Drew Benefield, Siegel

IF: Tate Kolwyck, Arlington

IF: Bryson Ford, Bearden

OF: Ryder Green, Hardin Valley

OF: Wil Dalton, Summit

OF: Tre Carter, Soddy-Daisy

UTIL: Austin Steel, Stewarts Creek

P: Zach Linginfelter, Sevier County

P: Jacob Key, Siegel

P: Brandon Thompson, Bradley Central

CPA's Philip Clarke

CPA’s Philip Clarke

Class AA

C: Philip Clarke, CPA

IF: Darek Sargent, Central Magnet

IF: Cooper Mays, East Hickman

IF: Cody Hartness, Greeneville

IF: Brycen Thomas, Spring Hill

OF: Bill Hamilton, Montgomery Central

OF: Mason Holden, Milan

OF: Jordan Jackson, Central Magnet

UTIL: Winston Cannon, Upperman

P: Gage Gillian, Spring Hill

P: David Bates, CPA

P: Spencer Strider, CAK

Forrest's Alex Brewer

Forrest’s Alex Brewer

Class A

C: Ryan Mabry, Middle College

IF: Cade Evans, Boyd-Buchanan

IF: Micah Wheeler, Knoxville Grace

IF: Alex Brewer, Forrest

IF: Zell Walker, Nashville Christian

OF: Brandon Kelley, Eagleville

OF: Justin Shaw, Knoxville Grace

OF: Bryce Giles, Summertown

UTIL: Weston Bizzle, Christian Brothers

P:Scott Lentz, Columbia Academy

P: Carter Holt, Jackson Christian

P: Walker Malone, Meigs County

Pope John Paul II's Mason Hickman

Pope John Paul II’s Mason Hickman

Division II

C: Quinn Smith, McCallie

IF: J.L. Bland, Christian Brothers

IF: Bryce Jarvis, Brentwood Academy

IF: Ben Brooks, Pope John Paul II

IF: Walker Palmerton, FRA

OF: Jake Criswell, Harding Academy

OF: Jake Sutton, Harding Academy

OF: Logan Carey, USJ

UTIL: Weston Bizzle, Christian Brothers

P: Ryan Rolison, USJ

P: Hugh Fisher, Briarcrest

P: Mason Hickman, Pope John Paul II

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

Pat Summitt left 'imprint' on Tennessee girls basketball

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Stewarts Creek girls basketball coach Lindy King, on Monday, Feb. 1, 2016.

Stewarts Creek girls basketball coach Lindy King, on Monday, Feb. 1, 2016.

Former University of Tennessee women's basketball coach Pat Summitt.

Former University of Tennessee women’s basketball coach Pat Summitt.

Lindy King went to Pat Summitt’s basketball camp as a high school senior from Cornersville.

That experience helped forge King, the Stewarts Creek girls basketball coach, into who she is today on the sidelines as a coach.

“I wasn’t able to participate because I had an injury, but I still attended,” King said. “She is one of the main reasons why I coach. I just remember watching how she ran her program.”

Stewarts Creek coach Lindy King gives instructions during a game last season. King recalls going to a Pat Summitt basketball camp as a player from Cornersville.

Stewarts Creek coach Lindy King gives instructions during a game last season. King recalls going to a Pat Summitt basketball camp as a player from Cornersville.

Summitt died Tuesday from a lengthy bout with early onset Alzheimer’s disease.

King won the 2015 TSSAA Class AA girls basketball state championship as the coach at Nashville’s Martin Luther King. She said Summitt’s success helped women become basketball coaches.

“She paved the way for us,” she said. “And she did it without cheating. It was all hard work.

“Her (100 percent) graduation rate is amazing. There was never a scandal at Tennessee with the girls program.”

Summitt was an example of that hard work.

Dickson County girls coach Gregg Tipps recalls working a camp for former Lipscomb coach Don Meyer at Cumberland University. Meyer had just announced he was leaving Lipscomb.

“We’re in the dog days of summer,” Tipps said. “It’s hot, hot, hot and (Summitt) comes to talk ball in late June. She’s got a big notebook in her hand and she’s there to pick his brain.”

“She left an imprint for all of us. She showed all of us the way.”

Dickson County coach Greg Tipps recently completed his first season at Dickson County.

Dickson County coach Greg Tipps recently completed his first season at Dickson County.

Cane Ridge girls coach JoAnn Tribue, who met Summitt as an assistant at Shelbyville under former coach Rick Insell, said Summitt set the standard for girls basketball.

“She was a phenomenal person for girls basketball,” Tribue said. “I thank God we had someone that was a pioneer for women’s basketball.

“She set the standard, now what can we as women’s coaches do to carry on her legacy?”

Her legacy began in rural Tennessee in Cheatham County, where she played six-on-six basketball at Ashland City High School. She played college basketball at UT-Martin, won a silver medal as a player in the Olympics before becoming a coach. At Tennessee she won eight national championships and a gold medal as the 1984 women’s national coach.

“What an impact she made for high school basketball across the state,” said Ronnie Carter, former TSSAA executive director.

The gym at Cheatham County Central High School, which opened after her graduation, is named Pat Head Summitt Gym. A balcony was built above one of the baskets where she could privately watch her nieces play.

“She made women’s basketball more prominent,” former Cheatham County coach Jimmy Harden said. “Women’s sports kind of takes a back seat, but women’s basketball is more prominent now.”

Summitt was an advocate for Tennessee high schools to move to the current five-on-five format, Harden said.

“She didn’t want a kid coming from the high school ranks go to college and not be used to playing that way,” he said.

Campbell Brandon.

Campbell Brandon.

TSSAA Hall of Fame coach Campbell Brandon disagreed with the state’s decision after the 1978-79 season to change from 6-on-6. But he now believes the game is better for it.

“I still think (six-on-six) was a great game at one time,” said Brandon, who coached against Summitt at Ashland City when he was the head coach at Lebanon. He is now a girls assistant at Smyrna High for his son, Bud Brandon.

“But the game has improved so much now,” Campbell Brandon said. “Girls are quick and fast. (Summitt) made us all go to another level when we went to 5-on-5.”

More importantly, Summitt made her players better people off the court.

Wilson Central coach John Wild said the life lessons Summitt ingrained in her players is what has carried over to him.

“Watching their practices and getting to speak to her a little when she recruited my players, she developed them as a player and as a person,” Wild said. “It was a four-for-40-type deal.

“They were there for four years, but what she could develop inside you as a person would carry over for you for the next 40 years.”

Reach Tom Kreager at 615-278-5168 and on Twitter @Kreager.

2016 TSWA all-state softball teams

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Here’s a look at the 2016 Tennessee Sports Writers Association all-state baseball teams:

Tennessee Sports Writers Association

Tennessee Sports Writers Association

Dickson County's Brooklin Lee (00)

Dickson County’s Brooklin Lee (00)

Class AAA

C: Michelle Williams, Oakland

IF: Leah Sohm, Gibbs

IF: Makray Odom, Dickson County

IF: Jensen McElroy, Siegel

IF: Loryn Sherwood, Stewarts Creek

OF: Kayla Boseman, Ooltewah

OF: Celie Hudson, Henry County

OF: Erin Hill, William Blount

UTIL: Kaleigh Wynne, Hardin Valley

P: Veronica Westfall, Siegel

P: Caylan Arnold, Maryville

P: Brooklin Lee, Dickson County

White House Heritage's Alyssa Arden

White House Heritage’s Alyssa Arden

Class AA

C: Gianna Carideo, Knoxville Vatholic

IF: Baylee Smith, Chester County

IF: Maggie Middleton, Union County

IF: Hannah DeVault, CAK

IF: Alexis Grampp, Chattanooga Central

OF: Kaylie McIllwain, Waverly Central

OF: Kacy Sullivan, Hume-Fogg

OF: Aly Walker, South Gibson

UTIL: Kaitlyn Martin, South Gibson

P: Allison Zimmerman, CAK

P: Paige Jones, Dyersburg

P: Alyssa Arden, White House Heritage

Class A

C: Reagan Hannah, Summertown

IF: Lindsey Newell, Silverdale

IF: Chelsey Gore, Scotts Hill

IF: Aaliah Bivens, South Fulton

OF: Harlie Jordan, Marion County

OF: Kristin Hunt, Knoxville Grace

OF: Gabby Morris, Adamsville

P: Ashley Rogers, Meigs County

P: Ragyn Hall, Midway

P: Emily Harkleroad, Silverdale

Friendship Christian's Courtney Petty

Friendship Christian’s Courtney Petty

Division II

C: Courtney Miles, Friendship

IF: Crosby Huckaby, Baylor

IF: Haydyn Jenkins, The King’s Academy

IF: Regan Weekly, The King’s Academy

IF: Riley Walker, Friendship Christian

OF: Addison Dunn, USJ

OF: Madison Webber, The King’s Academy

OF: E.C. Taylor, St. Benedict

P: Ally McFarland, USJ

P: Haven Taylor, The King’s Academy

P: Courtney Petty, Friendship Christian

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

TSSAA dead period is for traveling, fishing, some football

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Rusty Staats began the dead period with a trip out West.

The Watertown High standout made an unofficial visit to the Air Force Academy last weekend.

He quickly transitioned back to work though, despite this week being the first of the TSSAA’s two-week dead period.

“I go to the gym in Watertown and lift every day or go somewhere and run,” Staats said. “I have to stay in shape. I’m thinking three or four days a week, probably not on the weekends.”

During the dead period — which impacts all sports — coaches and players can’t have any contact as no practices, open facilities or weight training/conditioning are permitted by the TSSAA.

Stratford High sophomore Onterreius Smith throws a pass during a National Playmakers Academy workout on Tuesday afternoon at the South Inglewood Community Center.

Stratford High sophomore Onterreius Smith throws a pass during a National Playmakers Academy workout on Tuesday afternoon at the South Inglewood Community Center.

Related:  TSWA All-State baseball teams

Staats is a 6-foot-4, 270-pound four-year starter at offensive tackle. He has received scholarship offers from Air Force, Tennessee Tech, Morehead State and Kentucky Christian.

“The grind is going to hit (after the dead period),” Watertown coach Gavin Webster said. “You want them to take some time off, but you encourage them that if you can’t do anything else, get out and run a little bit and try to do a little something. We don’t want them sitting in the (air conditioning) for two weeks doing nothing. It’s really going to be hot when they roll back in here.”

Davidson Academy senior Obinna Eze moves during a National Playmakers Academy workout on Tuesday afternoon at the South Inglewood Community Center.

Davidson Academy senior Obinna Eze moves during a National Playmakers Academy workout on Tuesday afternoon at the South Inglewood Community Center.

Watertown won eight games and placed second in Region 4-2A last season.

Taking a breath

Lipscomb Academy senior Tucker Hamar — who helped his squad to eight wins and a second-round playoff appearance last season — is also attempting to balance conditioning with some relaxation.

“It’s a pretty good mix,” said Hamar, a 6-foot-2, 240-pound center. “I’m trying to stay in shape. I’ll go to the Y (YMCA) a day or two during the week. The rest of the week I’ll probably just be out fishing.

“The coaches really do encourage us to stay in shape on our own. They recommend that we do be working out.”

Related:   Summitt left ‘imprint’ on Tennessee girls basketball

While many coaches don’t oppose the mandatory break, some would prefer a different time frame.

“I think it’s great for everybody, but I’ve always (felt that) for football, it needs to be the first two weeks of June,” Siegel  coach Greg Wyant said. “Basically, what we’re saying is go out for two weeks and sit in the air conditioning and play games and don’t do anything for two weeks. Then, come back into the heat. I personally don’t think that is fair for our football kids or any of our fall athletes.

“I think the dead period is a great thing. I think every athlete needs to take two weeks off. I’ve got no problem with that. I just have a problem with where it falls for fall sports.”

Several Midstate players participate in National Playmakers Academy workouts during the dead period. A group of athletes, a majority from Stratford, got together at South Inglewood Community Center on Tuesday to keep their games sharp.

Many teams will participate in seven-on-seven passing competitions when team activity resumes.

Stratford High senor Bradley Jones receives a pass during a National Playmakers Academy workout on Tuesday afternoon at the South Inglewood Community Center.

Stratford High senor Bradley Jones receives a pass during a National Playmakers Academy workout on Tuesday afternoon at the South Inglewood Community Center.

Until then, Blackman coach David Watson sees this as valuable downtime for players and coaches.

“I think it’s huge personally to have two weeks where you have a last hurrah, or recharge your batteries,” Watson said. “It’s a chance to spend time with your family. Most coaches — even when they are not doing anything — are still planning and thinking about football, but this gives them two weeks where you can relax a bit.

“You know (that) after this, it’s going to be a grind, hopefully until the first week of December.”

Reach Craig Harris at 615-259-8238 and on Twitter @CHTennessean. 

TSSAA Summer Dead Period

Period: Sunday, June 26, 12 a.m. to Sunday July 9, 12 a.m.

Restrictions: No coaching, observing, or contact between coach and players in sport involved. There is no practice,

no open facilities, and no weight training/conditioning.

Sports affected: All TSSAA-sanctioned sports.

2016 TSWA all-state tennis teams

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Here’s a look at the 2016 Tennessee Sports Writers Association all-state tennis teams:

Tennessee Sports Writers Association

Tennessee Sports Writers Association

Brentwood's Sam FIscher

Brentwood’s Sam FIscher

BOYS

Class AAA

Singles

Sam Fischer (Brentwood)

Andrew Morton (Science Hill)

Hussain Al-Zubaidi (Siegel)

Gary Carter (Farragut)

Doubles

Griffin Davis, Charlie Adams (Bearden)

Stone Cozart, Jacob Marshall (Tennessee)

Central Magnet' Nathan Zou

Central Magnet’ Nathan Zou

Class A-AA

Singles

Nathan Zou (Central Magnet)

Jacob Lorino (Knoxville Catholic)

Ben Sidwell (Trinity Christian)

Isaiah Polk (Page)

Doubles

Reed Bristow, Ethan Fussell (CAK)

Alex Condra, Richard Vuong (Hixson)

University School of Nashville's George Corzine

University School of Nashville’s George Corzine

Division II-A

Singles

Ohm Sharma (Knox Webb)

Timmy O’Brien (Zion Christian)

George Corzine (University School of Nashville)

Hamilton Jackson (Evangelical Christian School)

Doubles

Cade Reasons, George Markos (University School of Jackson)

Preston Yoon, Harrison Williams (Knox Webb)

MBA's George Harwell

MBA’s George Harwell

Division II-AA

Singles

George Harwell (Montgomery Bell Academy)

Miles Jackson (Ensworth School)

Weston Touliatos (Memphis University School)

Taylor Burgan (McCallie School)

Doubles

Andres Carro, Frederick Danielson (Memphis University School)

Alex Kadrie, Patrick Toomey (Baylor School)

Brentwood's Somer Henry

Brentwood’s Somer Henry

GIRLS

Class AAA

Singles

Somer Henry (Brentwood)

Sneha Sinha (Collierville)

Lainey Hill (Dobyns Bennett)

Sofia Phillips (Clarksville)

Doubles

Katie DeWald, Georgia Fischer (Brentwood)

Kelly Carney, Menzie Montgomery (Germantown, Houston)


Class A-AA

Singles

Danielle Vines (Elizabethton)

Lindy Tatum (Trinity Christian)

Sklyar McDonald (Fayetteville)

Christiana Amos (Boyd Buchanan)

Doubles

Ellie Pectol, Sydni Lollar (Greeneville)

Sara Allen, Erin Allen (Knox Catholic)


Division II-A

Singles

Claire Sullivan (St. George’s)

Carina Dagotto (Knox Webb)

Caroline Culpepper (St. Mary’s)

Audrey Yoon (Knox Webb)

Doubles

Caroline Ross, Diana Grandas (Knox Webb)

Lauren Yoon, Anna Wisniewski (Knox Webb)

Harpeth Hall's Winslow Huth

Harpeth Hall’s Winslow Huth

Division II-AA

Singles

Drew Hawkin (Baylor)

Winslow Huth (Harpeth Hall)

Ashton Jenne (Baylor)

Grace Garrott (Hutchison)

Doubles

Maddox Bandy, Jenna Thorstenson (Girls Preparatory School)

Lauren Carrelli, Presley Thomas (Baylor School)

Reach Michael Murphy at 6615-259-8262 and on Twitter @Murph_TNsports


Q&A: John Jenkins talks new team, high school days

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John Jenkins, who is now with the Phoenix Suns, played at Station Camp and Vanderbilt.

John Jenkins, who is now with the Phoenix Suns, played at Station Camp and Vanderbilt.

Former Station Camp and Vanderbilt standout John Jenkins, talks with one of his basketball campers, Alex Froboese, on Wednesday.

Former Station Camp and Vanderbilt standout John Jenkins, talks with one of his basketball campers, Alex Froboese, on Wednesday.

GALLATIN — Station Camp High School is a place where John Jenkins became a Parade All-American, averaged 42.3 points as a senior and the Gallatin Fire Marshall regularly stopped by to make sure the gymnasium did not overcrowd.

The former Vanderbilt standout returned this week to the place where his No. 12 jersey is retired for the fourth annual John Jenkins Basketball Camp that began Wednesday and concludes Friday. The Phoenix Suns shooting guard took some time before the start of his camp to talk to The Tennessean about the camp’s growth, his high school days, and playing in the NBA.

RELATED: Jenkins hosts third annual camp

RELATED:Vanderbilt’s top 10 pro basketball players

The John Jenkins Camp is now in its fourth year. What does that mean to you?

It’s unbelievable how far it’s come. At first, I just wanted to make it a little thing for my hometown and didn’t really know what to expect, and (now) it’s big for our city’s standards. It’s pretty cool to experience, and giving back to my community is all I want to do. The game of basketball is a fun sport and you can learn a lot of life lessons from it.

You had an illustrious high school career at Station Camp. What is the feeling like when you step back inside the gymnasium? Do you have any lasting memories from your high school days? You have said on a couple of instances it felt like a blur.

It’s really crazy because I was so in the moment. My team depended on me every single night to show up and maybe hit 40 or 50 points a game. For a 16-year old kid that takes a lot of focus, along with doing my chores at home and doing my schoolwork.

Every night I was getting everyone’s best defender, every team’s best shot, and the crowds were going crazy. Some of them wanted to see me fail, and as a kid that was tough for me to go through. (Some nights) I had 40, we lost, and I felt like I had zero. Or if I had 50 and we won it was OK. I never really got to enjoy the moment afterward.

After the last game of my senior year, I felt like I had an elephant off my back because I had so much pressure.

Former Station Camp and Vanderbilt standout John Jenkins works with players at his youth camp on Wednesday.

Former Station Camp and Vanderbilt standout John Jenkins works with players at his youth camp on Wednesday.

How are things now? You struggled to get playing time with the Dallas Mavericks, got waived, and then picked up by the Phoenix Suns. Do you like the fit?

I had a great preseason and it went well. But in the NBA on a veteran team, they’re going to play their veterans over the younger guys. That’s just how it is the majority of the time. I had a great coach in coach (Rick) Carlisle, Dallas is a first-class organization.

Coach Carlisle actually called Phoenix on my behalf and let them know that they should give me a chance and they did, so I thank him for that. And now I’m just trying to do good on that and hopefully cement a spot in the rotation.

Phoenix has five players from Kentucky. Does it feel like an old SEC battleground from time to time? You didn’t play against every Kentucky player on the team, but there has to be some familiarity, right?

There is. I played against Eric Bledsoe since we were in AAU and played against Brandon Knight. I make sure I wear my Vandy shirts all the time and they wear their UK stuff all the time. I’m just glad there are a bunch of SEC guys in the locker room. We’re all one now so it’s good for our team.

You played well over the last quarter of the season and you shot the ball well from deep. In today’s NBA with a bigger emphasis put on shooting the 3-pointer, does that give you confidence that you can make any roster in the league?

(Shooting) is right up my alley and shooting 3s is something I’ve done my whole life. And now that it’s becoming a staple in the NBA and teams have to have shooters, it’s going to extend my career even more. I’m thankful for it.

The death of Pat Summitt Tuesday had a huge effect on the state of Tennessee and the country’s basketball community as a whole. What did she mean to you?

All sports just know her as one of the best coaches of all time. Not only with what she did on the court, but how she approached her players and what she demanded out of them. That’s rare these days. I played against her son in high school, she was there, and I was shocked, as if she was an NBA player or something. She was a legend. I wish the best for her family, it’s sad to see her go.

Jenkins speaks to campers following the conclusion of Friday’s session of his fourth annual basketball camp at Station Camp High School.

Jenkins speaks to campers following the conclusion of Friday’s session of his fourth annual basketball camp at Station Camp High School.

Phoenix Suns guard John Jenkins works with some younger players during the final day of his fourth annual basketball camp at Station Camp High School.

Phoenix Suns guard John Jenkins works with some younger players during the final day of his fourth annual basketball camp at Station Camp High School.

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Chris Carney to lead Wilson Central boys hoops

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Chris Carney has been hired to succeed Tyler Brown as the head boys basketball coach at Wilson Central.

The 29-year-old Carney spent the last four years coaching at Portland, leading the Panther program to a 31-81 record over that span.

Chris Carney talks to his Portland players during a game last season.

Chris Carney talks to his Portland players during a game last season.

“I’m really excited and looking forward to the opportunity to be a part of the strong tradition at Wilson Central,” Carney said. “I’m excited to meet with returning players and to get to work after the dead period.”

He becomes the Wildcats’ third head coach in three years, after Brown spent just one season at the helm. Brown – who left for an assistant-coaching position at Spring Hill – led Wilson Central to a 12-15 overall record and a 4-10 mark in District 9-AAA last season, suffering a 70-56 loss to Lebanon in their postseason opener.

Tyler Brown resigns as Wilson Central boys basketball coach

Brown succeeded Troy Bond, who was the only coach in the program’s history before leaving for Oakland High School. Bond led the program to 292 wins and four state-tournament appearances over 14 seasons.

“When I first got to District 9-AAA four years ago and went to Wilson Central for the first time, I thought it was a dream spot,” Carney – who played at Camden High School and Maryville College – said. “It’s a young school, growing community and strong basketball tradition.”

Wilson Central lost two of its top three scorers, guards Desmond Mason and Aaron Schoch, from a seven-member senior class.

The Wildcats’ leading returning scorer will be rising junior forward Gavin Johnson.

With teams having completed summer camps prior to the current Tennessee Secondary Schools Athletic Association two-week dead period, Carney won’t be able to see his team in a competitive setting against another team until November.

“The timing isn’t ideal,” Carney – who will be a physical-education teacher – said. “Of course, you would want a full summer with a new team, but with the new rules of being able to do more in the month of July with our teams in the state of Tennessee, as soon as the dead period is over, we are going to get to work.”

Portland’s best season under Carney was the 2014-15 campaign, producing a 12-16 overall record and a 4-10 mark in 9-AAA.

Chris Carney

Chris Carney

“In the four years I was at Portland, I gave my everything to the school and to building our basketball program,” Carney said. “I appreciate the administration there for giving me the job at 25 (years old) and allowing me to grow as a coach. It has helped me vastly.

“It is very tough to leave the kids that I have been working with for the past three years. They have given me everything they have had on and off the basketball court. That’s all you can ask of your kids, and I will miss those kids and the relationships that we developed together.”

The Panthers lost three senior starters to graduation – leading scorer Caelum Utley, small forward Jay Crutchfield and shooting guard Eric Kirk – from last season’s 6-23 campaign. Portland returns three junior guards – Luke Jones, Bryce Keith and Dawson Simmons – who gained considerable experience, along with sophomore guard Austin Hicks and junior forward Grant Cook.

“I am very appreciative of what Chris has done both on and off the court for Portland High School,” Portland principal David Woods said. “He is a hard-working young man and will be successful no matter where he goes. I wish him nothing but the best, and I know he will do a great job at Wilson Central.”

Portland will begin a coaching search immediately.

Reach Craig Harris at 615-259-8238 and on Twitter @CHTennessean. 

2016 TSWA all-track track teams

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Here’s a look at the 2016 Tennessee Sports Writers Association all-state boys track teams.

Tennessee Sports Writers Association

Tennessee Sports Writers Association

Gallatin's Adam Neelly

Gallatin’s Adam Neelly

Class AAA

Pole Vault:
Jack Crouch, Centennial
Jacob Sobota, Bearden
Jacob Lacourse, Maryville

Long jump:
Drew Isom, Morristown West
Rashad Haynes, Memphis Central
Nathan Johnson, Independence

Triple jump:
Jordan Jeffers, Dobyns Bennett
Alijah Dunn, Dobyns Bennett
Raheem Reynolds, Lebanon

High jump:
Rodney Williams, Germantown
Shawn Stacy, Bearden
Christian Shouse, Campbell County

Shot put
Adam Neelly, Gallatin
Braidon Miller, Wilson Central
Joshua Sobota, Bearden

Discus:
Adam Neelly, Gallatin
Cole Patterson, Knox Halls
Joshua Sobota, Bearden

100m hurdles:
Chase Sholl, Rhea County
Derek Flatford, Anderson County
Trenton Brewington, Riverdale

300m hurdles:
Hunter Miniard, Sevier County
John Wilkerson, Hillsboro
Fletcher Hickman, Cherokee

100m:
Rashad Haynes, Memphis Central
Timothy Taylor, Memphis East
Martarious Brooks, Antioch

200m:
Isaiah Lucas, Kenwood
Martarious Brooks, Antioch
Johnny McGluuen, Whitehaven

400m:
Bryce Barrett, Dobyns Bennett
Xavien Hughes, Germantown
Johnny McGluuen, Whitehaven

800m:
Jonathan Helton, Centennial
Josh Routh, Daniel Boone
Tuwun Fleming, Bolton

1600m:
Brodey Hasty, Brentwood
Adam Johnston, Knox West
Javan Winders, Henry County

3200m:
Ben Varghese, Daniel Boone
Brodey Hasty, Brentwood
Malick Gemechu, Science Hill

Decathlon:
Chase Sholl, Rhea County
Jacob Sobota, Bearden
Rashad Haynes, Memphis Central

CPA's William Stout

CPA’s William Stout

Class A-AA

Pole vault:
Bobby Willingham, CPA
Salter Blowers, University School of Johnson City
William Stout, CPA

Long jump:
Quinton Poole, Creek Wood
Jonathan McCloud, Creek Wood
Jonathan Vincent, Martin Luther King

Triple jump:
Zack Dobson, Fulton
Morris Williams, Trezevant
Nick Payne, Greeneville

High jump:
Jake Poczobut, Knox Catholic
Zack Weatherly, CPA
Jonathan McCloud, Creek Wood

Shot put:
Daniel Bituli, Nashville Christian
Gerry Davis, Tyner Academy
Elijah Simmons, Pearl Cohn

Discus:
Sam Mathis, MTCS
Tre’Shaun Smith, Covington
Ian Williams, Alcoa

100m hurdles:
Tre’vaughn Hatcher, Stratford
Michael McMahan, Page
Johnaton Gatewood, Trezevant

300m hurdles:
Rodney Castille, Liberty Tech
Tyrese Winfrey, Covington
Johnaton Gatewood, Trezevant

100m:
Kedrick Wilbanks, Red Bank
Jeremy McDowell, Maplewood
Corey Simmons, Stratford

200m:
Jeremy McDowell, Maplewood
Walter Miller, Millington Central
Kedrick Wilbanks, Red Bank

400m:
Kobey Hill, Memphis Business Academy
TreVon Sanders, Stratford
Nickson Pierre, Pearl Cohn

800m:
Luke Meade, Sullivan East
William Doktycz, Knox Catholic
Bray Fulton, Carter

1600m:
Luke Meade, Sullivan East
Johnathan Chavez, Knox Catholic
Tyler Youngblood, Sullivan South

3200m:
Johnathan Chavez, Knox Catholic
Gashaw Duhamel, Tennessee School for the Deaf
Jake Renfree, Knox Catholic

Decathlon:
William Stout, CPA
Takeem Young, Greeneville
Raheem Young, Greeneville

Brentwood Academy's George Patrick

Brentwood Academy’s George Patrick

Division II

Pole vault:
Matt Ward, Franklin Road Academy
Andrew Sharpe, McCallie School
Pete Pritchard, McCallie School

Long jump:
George Patrick, Brentwood Academy
Thomas Ozburn, Brentwood Academy
Camron Johnson, Brentwood Academy

Triple jump:
George Patrick, Brentwood Academy
Hakim McMorris, McCallie School
Tons Ferguson, McCallie School

High jump:
Dayton Leach, Briarcrest Christian
Tons Ferguson, McCallie School
Drake Mitchell, Franklin Road Academy

Shot put:
Jay Roberts, McCallie School
Ryan Parker, Baylor School
Ryan Johnson, Brentwood Academy

Discus:
Ryan Parker, Baylor School
Josiah Scott, Mt. Juliet Christian
Nyle Love, Lausanne Collegiate

100m hurdles:
George Patrick, Brentwood Academy
Camron Johnson, Brentwood Academy
Deantoine Boyce, Lausanne Collegiate

300m hurdles:
George Patrick, Brentwood Academy
Clayton Turner, Memphis University School
Sam Curry, Montgomery Bell Academy

100m:
Calvin Austin III, Harding Academy
Ty Chandler, Montgomery Bell Academy
Nicholas Martin, Harding Academy

200m:
Calvin Austin III, Harding Academy
Nicholas Martin, Harding Academy
Darius Morehead, Ensworth School

400m:
Calvin Austin III, Harding Academy
Khari Henley, First Assembly Christian
Thomas Ozburn, Brentwood Academy

800m:
Terrell Jackson, Memphis University School
Andrew Powell, Brentwood Academy
Will Peters, Montgomery Bell Academy

1600m:
Joshua Bell, Brentwood Academy
Will Peters, Montgomery Bell Academy
Andrew Powell, Brentwood Academy

3200m:
Michael Renner, Brentwood Academy
Carter Coughlin, Knox Webb
Will Peters, Montgomery Bell Academy

Decathlon:
George Patrick, Brentwood Academy
Will Eskew, Montgomery Bell Academy
Drake Mitchell, Franklin Road Academy

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

2016 TSWA all-state girls track teams

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Here’s a look at the 2016 Tennessee Sports Writers Association all-state girls track teams.

Tennessee Sports Writers Association

Tennessee Sports Writers Association

Ravenwood's Amber Tanner

Ravenwood’s Amber Tanner

Class AAA

Pole vault:
Allie Hughes, Germantown
Maddie Coulthard, Cleveland
Taylor Pickett, Brentwood

Long jump:
Angelica Lightfoot, Southwind
Tanalya Gordon, Blackman
Lauryn James, Cordova

Triple jump:
Maya Perry-Grimes, Cane Ridge
Danielle Craft, Northeast
Imani Udoumana, Oakland

High jump:
Kiara Rhodes, Whitehaven
Addisyn Rowe, David Crockett
Dionna Warner, Bolton

Shot put
Mikayla Thompson, McGavock
Destiny Carey, Farragut
Katherine Coffey, Brentwood

Discus
Mikayla Thompson, McGavock
Dominique Banks, Jefferson County
Hannah Johnson, Independence

100m hurdles:
Kiara Rhodes, Whitehaven
Angelica Lightfoot, Southwind
Bethany Rich, Rossview

300m hurdles:
Amber Tanner, Ravenwood
Jada Allen, Memphis Central
Kierra Johnson, Hunters Lane

100m:
Ceirra Tate, Whitehaven
Kirstin Jones, Whitehaven
Jordan Ray, Southwind

200m:
Kirstin Jones, Whitehaven
Felicia Phillips, Germantown Houston
Ceirra Tate, Whitehaven

400m:
Felicia Phillips, Germantown Houston
Riley White, Ravenwood
Kiara Rhodes, Whitehaven

800m:
Nicole Adams, Knox West
Hailey Hendry, Brentwood
Abby Bateman, Jefferson County

1600m:
Megan Murray, Knox West
Hailey Hendry, Brentwood
Ella Baran, Germantown Houston

3200m:
Megan Murray, Knox West
Ella Baran, Germantown Houston
Brittany Tolson, Powell

Pentathlon
Amber Tanner, Ravenwood
Kiara Rhodes, Whitehaven
Angelica Lightfoot, Southwind

East Nashville's Grenetria Shell

East Nashville’s Grenetria Shell

Class A-AA

Pole vault:
Mary Leichner, Page
Sydney Ibach, Chattanooga Christian
Julia Gabel, University School of Johnson City

Long jump:
Grenetria Shell, East Nashville
Lennex Walker, Chattanooga School for Arts & Sciences
Alyssa Gibson, Power Center

Triple jump:
Lennex Walker, Chattanooga School for Arts & Sciences
Katie Lingle, Signal Mountain
Shelby Reynolds, Carter

High jump:
Mackenzie Harris, Middle Tennessee Christian
Caroline Edmondson, Creek Wood
Morgan Morris, Craigmont

Shot put:
Camryn Bowman, Signal Mountain
Simone Hicks, Brainerd
Alexis Wynn, Adamsville

Discus:
Kaci Ray, West Greene
Camryn Bowman, Signal Mountain
Ashlynd Wilkerson, Middle Tennessee Christian

100m hurdles:
Lennex Walker, Chattanooga School for Arts & Sciences
Grenetria Shell, East Nashville
Kaitlyn Black, City University

300m hurdles:
Ebony Calloway, Brainerd
Kaitlyn Black, City University
Kennedi Johnson, East Nashville

100m:
McKenzie Ethridge, Signal Mountain
Nicole Johnson, Tyner Academy
Alexis Wilson, Tyner Academy

200m:
McKenzie Ethridge, Signal Mountain
Grenetria Shell, East Nashville
Dominique Chatman, Mitchell

400m:
Dominique Chatman, Mitchell
Payton Barlow, White House
Olivia Hoffman, Chattanooga Christian

800m:
Rebecca Story, Christian Academy of Knoxville
Loral Winn, Dresden
Heather Feuchtenberger, Elizabethton

1600m:
Rebecca Story, Christian Academy of Knoxville
Loran Winn, Dresden
Taylor Cuono, Central Magnet

3200m:
Rebecca Story, Christian Academy of Knoxville
Stephanie Peterson, Signal Mountain
Gigi Maddox, Page

Pentathlon:
Grenetria Shell, East Nashville
Lennex Walker, Chattanooga School for Arts & Sciences
Caroline Edmondson, Creek Wood

Ensworth's Tyra Gittens

Ensworth’s Tyra Gittens

Division II

Pole vault:
Hannah Malkofsky-Berger, University School of Nashville
Rachel Smith, Baylor School
Jordan Burkart, Harpeth Hall

Long jump:
Tyra Gittens, Ensworth School
Adreanna Parlette, St. Cecilia
Jordyn Lesh, Harpeth Hall

Triple jump:
Jordyn Lesh, Harpeth Hall
Lindsay Arvin, St. Agnes
Alayna Holbert, Brentwood Academy

High jump:
Tyra Gittens, Ensworth School
Sarah Luttrell, Harding Academy
Ally Craig, Baylor School

Shot put:
Antoinette Lewis, Harding Academy
Jada Dotson, Ensworth School
Morgan Hunt, Briarcrest Christian

Discus:
Victoria Caldwell, Brentwood Academy
Morgan Hunt, Briarcrest Christian
Y’Yemaya Boyd, Harpeth Hall

100m hurdles:
Tyra Gittens, Ensworth School
Adreanna Parlette, St. Cecilia
Jordan Shackleford, Evangelical Christian School

300m hurdles:
Alyssa Neuberger, Briarcrest Christian
Annie Taylor, Harpeth Hall
Jordyn Lesh, Harpeth Hall

100m:
Diamond Battle, Battle Ground Academy
Jasmine Jefferson, Knox Webb
Peace Okeke, Davidson Academy

200m:
Tyra Gittens, Ensworth School
Peace Okeke, Davidson Academy
Diamond Battle, Battle Ground Academy

400m:
Savanna Owens, Briarcrest Christian
Jasmine Jefferson, Knox Webb
Jasmine Allen, Harding Academy

800m:
Claire Smith, Harpeth Hall
Claire Cheeseman, Brentwood Academy
Elizabeth Singleton, Harpeth Hall

1600m:
Niamh Schumacher, The King’s Academy
Claire Cheeseman, Brentwood Academy
Meredith Helton, Brentwood Academy

3200m:
Niamh Schumacher, The King’s Academy
Miki Narayani, Knox Webb
Claire Cheeseman, Brentwood Academy

Pentathlon:
Tyra Gittens, Ensworth School
Sarah Luttrell, Harding Academy
Alyssa Neuberger, Briarcrest Christian

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

2016 TSWA all-state wrestling teams

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Here’s a look at the 2016 Tennessee Sports Writers Association all-state wrestling teams:

Tennessee Sports Writers Association

Tennessee Sports Writers Association

Riverdale's Nick Boykin

Riverdale’s Nick Boykin

Class AAA

106
Charles Wheaton, Soddy-Daisy
Brayden Palmer, Beech
Rodney Trent, Tennessee
Bryce Pond, Cleveland

113
Thomas Hicks, Bradley Central
Calvin Martin, William Blount
Tolliver Justice, Knox Halls
Jon Kost, Rossview

120
Ryan McElhaney, Bradley Central
Kyle Burns, Bearden
Logan Whiteside, Cleveland
Chase Brown, Knox Halls

126
Juan Hernandez, Heritage
Joshua LaCoe, Bradley Central
Triston Blansit, Cleveland
Jack Shrader, Franklin

132
Joseph Munoz, Walker Valley
Colton Landers, Cleveland
Hunter Parker, Bradley Central
Brady Ingram, Independence

138
Knox Fuller, Bradley Central
Dewey Pendley, Tennessee
Zack Wilkins, Mt. Juliet
Matt Meeks, East Hamilton

145
Trevor Rippy, Beech
Michael Diemer, Heritage
Austin Mathews, Bradley Central
Angel Leyva, Gibbs

152
Donnie Beyer, Bradley Central
Chris Rowland, Ravenwood
Mikel Gregory, Walker Valley
Jay Graham, Rhea County

160
Matthew Seals, Blackman
Alex Jeffers, Dobyns Bennett
Tucker Russo, Soddy-Daisy
Colton McMahan, Knox Halls

170
Zach Linton, Wilson Central
Tate Holmes, Anderson County
John Olivieri, Stewarts Creek
Nolan Kennedy, William Blount

182
Kaleb Rippy, Beech
Josh Booker, Jefferson County
Hunter Fortner, Gibbs
Jeremy Spangler, Tennessee

195
Brett Brown, Bradley Central
Tyler Reid, Ooltewah
Justin Johnson, Stone Memorial
Eric M. Cornelius, West Creek

220
Hunter Bagley, Science Hill
Tyler Barber, Stewarts Creek
Victor Bednarski, Ooltewah
Isaiah Demello, Independence

285
Nick Boykin, Riverdale
Logan Townsend
Jonathan Davis, Gibbs
Michael Kramer, Wilson Central

Harpeth's Braxton Hunter (right)

Harpeth’s Braxton Hunter (right)

Class A-AA

106
Dymond Smith, Pigeon Forge
Elijah Hicks, Sullivan East
Jeremy Holloway, Notre Dame
Jeffrey Gross, Forrest

113
William Reichel, Red Bank
Dylan Pendley, Forrest
Caleb York, Pigeon Forge
Scott Weaver, Boyd Buchanon

120
Jacob Ruiter, Pigeon Forge
Braxton Hunter, Harpeth
Garrett Lay, Knox Grace
Michael Colon, Alcoa

126
Luke Mullin, Notre Dame
Logan Chase, Sullivan East
Elias Bond, Pigeon Forge
Eric Foster, Stratford

132
Ryan Verhulst, Alcoa
Bryson Hux, Greeneville
Isaac Yates, Hixson
Ned Warwick, Notre Dame

138
Matthew Kieta, Pigeon Forge
Andrew Birchett, Page
Isaac Coffman, Chattanooga Central
Daniel Dawson, Signal Mountain

145
Landon Goforth, Hixson
Gabe McDuffie, Red Bank
Mitchell Camper, Sycamore
Garrin Shuffler, Greeneville

152
Alonso Heyward, Chattanooga Central
Josh Vance, Greeneville
Gary Reagan, Pigeon Forge
Dallas Prater, Cheatham County

160
Austyn Renshaw, Alcoa
Josh Croley, Pigeon Forge
Drew Gill, Eagleville
Daniel Novack, Kingston

170
Jarim Shereef, Alcoa
Phillip Nichols, Christian Academy of Knoxville
Julian Furr, Montgomery Central
Darian Smith, East Ridge

182
Seth Petarra, Signal Mountain
Dylan Bargerstock, Hixson
Houston Tywater, Page
James Hughes, Stratford

195
Devin Crawl, Red Bank
Gregory Williams, Nashville Christian
Anthony Baiamonte, Pigeon Forge
Brian Sledge, Chattanooga Central

220
Nick Foster, Greeneville
Grant Brace, Alcoa
Toby Lynch, Greenbrier
Devon Suddeth, Red Bank

285
Samson Evans, Alcoa
Anthony Ottinger, Red Bank
Evan Grooms, Greeneville
Josh Stiltner, Sullivan East

Father Ryan's Raymond Eason

Father Ryan’s Raymond Eason

Division II

106
Robert Briggs, Christian Brothers
James Killian, Father Ryan
Carter Coughlin, Knox Webb
Joe Walsh, St. Benedict

113
Christian Simpson, Father Ryan
Joseph Tourquine, Montgomery Bell Academy
Trent Maddox, McCallie School
Dalton Kilpatrick, St. Benedict

120
Tray Chalifoux, Father Ryan
Gabriel Elkin, Montgomery Bell Academy
Trevor Milling, Baylor School
Connor Rasberry, Christian Brothers

126
Raymond Eason, Father Ryan
Brock Herring, McCallie School
Andy Atchley, Baylor School
John Michael Glover, Montgomery Bell Academy

132
Kirby Simpson, Father Ryan
Jack Reynolds, Baylor School
Tanner Tidswell, Christian Brothers
Trent Walliser, McCallie School

138
Eli King, Father Ryan
Trevor Brown, Christian Brothers
Austin Atchley, Baylor School
Conner Mitchell, Battle Ground Academy

145
Michael Murphy, Baylor School
Ethan Dendy, McCallie School
Daniel Wesley, Father Ryan
Bryce Wittman, Christian Brothers

152
Mason Reiniche, Baylor School
Drew Nicholson, Christian Brothers
Will Patton, McCallie School
Mark Floyd, Montgomery Bell Academy

160
Judah Duhm, McCallie School
Tommy Brackett, Christian Brothers
Riley Westlake, Baylor School
Drake Mitchell, Franklin Road Academy

170
Caleb Powell, Baylor School
Carter Heckle, Montgomery Bell Academy
Kevin Pease, St. Benedict
Andrew Wesnofske, Father Ryan

182
Khamari Whimper, Baylor School
George Hooker, Father Ryan
Noah Kurtz, St. Benedict
Jake Lindow, St. George’s

195
Ryan Parker, Baylor School
Brian Phillips, McCallie School
Andrew Sweatt, Christian Brothers
Sam Sullivan, Montgomery Bell Academy

220
Ben Stacey, Father Ryan
D’On Coofer, Montgomery Bell Academy
Isaac Roberts, McCallie School
Grayson Walthall, Christian Brothers

285
Jeremy Darvin, Father Ryan
Cooper Reiniche, Baylor School
River Henry, McCallie School
John Kelly, Montgomery Bell Academy

Clarksville Northwest's Jessica Elery.

Clarksville Northwest’s Jessica Elery.

Girls

105
Katie Brock, Sequatchie County
Caitlyn Green, Northeast
Tony Shipley, David Crockett
Emma Allsbrooks, Montgomery Central

112
Isabella Badon, Daniel Boone
Jessyca Mumaw, Hendersonville
Nena Chrestman, Sycamore
Madeline Davis, Siegel

120
Allison Davis, Sullivan East
Halla Woodson, Dickson County
Kaitlyn Lee, Mt. Juliet
Macy DeBlois, Independence

125
Elise Dille, Cumberland County
Shantoia Blackburn, Antioch
Leilani Gutierrez, Northeast
Lexie Worley, Tennessee

130
Krista Legagneur, Bearden
Krista Martin, Tennessee
Hollie Yokely, Warren County
Kyah St. Marie, Stone Memorial

138
Jessica Elery, Northwest
Rachel Dagnan, Signal Mountain
Tailor Stole, Ravenwood
Alexis Jaynes, Happy Valley

148
Jailah Grimes, Summit
Lindsey Morrison, Northwest
Abby Mainzer, St. Andrew’s
Cailey Griffin, Gibbs

155
Jaydn Sayre-Adona, Northeast
Becka Stallard, Volunteer
Kayla Johnson, Hillsboro
Jayanna Stokes, Montgomery Central

165
Kenya-Lee Sloan, Hardin Valley
Keely Sage, Montgomery Central
Emily Russell, Munford
Kyerra Wall, Greeneville

185
Zaferah Fortune, St. Andrew’s
Kaleigh Johnson, Cumberland County
Jada Hoskins, Montgomery Central
Caitlyn Gilmore, Sycamore

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

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