The time has arrived. Upper Cumberland teams have circled their calendars for these dates.
Girls basketball will see regional championships clinched Wednesday night, while boys basketball teams can raise a banner next season with a win Thursday night. These games may not eliminate anyone, but give home court advantage to those who can call themselves regional champions.
GIRLS:
Jackson County battles York for the Region 3AA Championship. Jackson County has turned their season around, defeating Liberty Creek and Smith County to advance to the championship at 16-12. The Lady Blue Devils lost to York in the district tournament and will need to defeat the Dragonettes for the first time in three appearances to win their first regional championship since the 2012-13 season, when they went on to win the state championship. York enters after holding Westmoreland to 12 points in their semifinal win and seeks their third consecutive regional title.
Clarkrange battles Clay County for the Region 4A Championship. Clarkrange knocked off Pickett County Monday night to advance to the championship. They seek their first title since the 2020-21 season. Clay County defeated East Robertson after trailing at halftime. The Lady Bulldogs have lost their last seven regional championship appearances dating back to the 2003-2004 season.
Cookeville will face Lebanon for the Region 4AAAA Championship. The matchup marks the fourth between the two schools and the third matchup in Lebanon. Lebanon sports a 2-0 record against Cookeville at Lebanon this season, including in the district semifinal. Cookeville defeated Blackman in the regional semifinal Monday and seeks their third regional championship in the last four seasons. Lebanon looks for their first regional championship since the 2020-21 season.
White County and Livingston Academy will clash in the Region 4AAA championship. White County looks to defeat Livingston for the fourth time this season and third time this month en route to their first regional championship since the 2014-15 season. Livingston defeated Upperman in Cookeville Monday night and looks to win their first regional championship since the 2013-14 season.
Van Buren plays Copper Basin in the Region 3A Championship. Van Buren defeated Sale Creek on Monday for their fifth straight victory. The Lady Eagles seek their consecutive district championship. Copper Basin enters play 16-8.
BOYS:
Jackson County faces Liberty Creek in the Region 3AA Championship. The Blue Devils look to remain undefeated against teams in the state of Tennessee after their win against Westmoreland Tuesday night. This marks Jackson’s fourth consecutive trip to the regional championship; the Blue Devils seek their first win during that stretch. Liberty Creek enters play 25-7.
Clay battles Pickett in the Region 4A Championship. Clay rallied to defeat Jo Byrns Tuesday night and seeks their first regional championship in three seasons. Pickett enters play after their victory over Gordonsville Tuesday. The Bobcats seek their first regional title since the 2006-07 season. They have lost their previous four regional championships leading up to Thursday night.
Upperman faces Tullahoma in the Region 4AAA Championship. Upperman defeated Giles County in the semifinals and looks for back-to-back regional championships. Tullahoma enters play 27-4 after defeating Stone Memorial Tuesday night.
Van Buren faces Chattanooga Prep in the Region 3A Championship. The Eagles are set to play their third regional championship in the last four seasons. Chattanooga Prep enters with a record of 19-7.
