The Pickett County Bobcats will clash in the Class 1A state quarterfinals Wednesday afternoon against Hillcrest.
The Bobcats will return to the state tournament for the first time since the 2020-21 season. They went to the state semifinals that season for the first time since 2000. The Bobcats seek their first title since 1995, when current head coach Joseph Amonett played on the team.
Amonett has taken Pickett County to two state championships as a player and five as a coach. The Bobcats play Hillcrest Wednesday afternoon at 12:45 pm.
Pickett would start their season 9-5, with their losses coming against Eagleville twice, Stone Memorial, and Kingston twice, both in Christmas tournament games. Pickett defeated the Cookeville Cavaliers on January 4th, beginning their longest win streak of the season.
The win streak lasted from January 4th to February 11th. Pickett saw their win streak end to Gordonsville. The streak lasted 10 games. The streak also clinched first place in the district.
Pickett defeated two opponents to win their district tournament and three to win their regional tournament. They got to the state tournament by defeating Van Buren at home in the sectional round.
The matchup against Hillcrest Wednesday marks the first time the two schools have ever faced each other. The game Wednesday spans Hillcrest’s first appearance in a state tournament.
