The men’s and women’s basketball semifinals will see conclusions reached very soon. Teams stand one round away from a trip to the regional championship, guaranteeing themselves a spot in state tournament play. Two more games at minimum remain for the winners of the semifinals; the losers will see their seasons come to an end.
GIRLS:
Livingston and Upperman head to Cookeville to do battle for the third time this season. Both teams split in regular season play and seek a trip to the regional championship. Livingston defeated Tullahoma on the road Thursday night. The Lady Wildcats last went to the regional championship in the 2022-23 season, where they made it to the state final. Upperman defeated Central Magnet Thursday night and will aim for their fourth consecutive trip to the state tournament.
Jackson County battles Smith County. The Lady Blue Devils defeated Liberty Creek Thursday night and looks to rally from losing both their games in district tournament play to winning their regional tournament play. Smith County stands 23-8.
York faces Westmoreland in Monterey. The Dragonettes defeated Trousdale County and look to guarantee their spot in the state sectionals for the fifth consecutive season. Westmoreland enters play 19-13.
Clarkrange and Pickett County will square off. Clarkrange looks for their first win in three tries this season against Pickett County after their win against Merrol Hyde Thursday. Pickett County defeated Knowledge Academies by over 100 points in their victory, winning by a score of 115-14; they look to head back to state for the third consecutive season. Clarkrange with a win would enter the state tournament for the first time since the 2022-23 season.
White County faces Franklin County. Sparta seeks their ninth victory in a row and their second consecutive trip to the state tournament. Franklin County stands in their way with a record of 19-13.
Cookeville heads to Lebanon to face Blackman. Cookeville defeated Oakland at home Thursday night and will play their first game away from their district in over two months. Blackman enters the semifinal matchup with a 23-3 record.
Clay County will face East Robertson. The Lady Bulldogs defeated Jo Byrns at home 70-20 in their quarterfinal matchup. Clay looks for back to back state tournament appearances; to do that, they must defeat the District 8A Champions in East Robertson, entering with a 24-5 record.
Van Buren will confront Sale Creek. Van Buren looks to extend their season and their win streak, which currently stands at four games. Sale Creek enters 18-11; they lost to Van Buren in the regular season on February 3rd.
BOYS:
Stone Memorial squares off with Tullahoma. Stone hung on to deny Marshall County 67-66 Saturday night after two late free throws with under ten seconds to go. Tullahoma stands in between the Panthers and a trip to state for the second time in three seasons. Tullahoma stands with a record of 27-4.
Jackson County will confront Westmoreland. Jackson County looks to continue their undefeated record against Tennessee high school teams this season and hopes for a second straight shot at a state championship. Westmoreland will greet them Tuesday night with a record of 16-12.
Cookeville travels to face LaVergne. Cookeville seeks their first win against LaVergne this season, losing both games by a combined five points. They seek their second consecutive trip to the state tournament. LaVergne enters play at 19-8.
Pickett County battles Gordonsville. In their quarterfinal matchup, the Bobcats defeated Merrol Hyde at home Saturday night. Pickett County looks for their third straight appearance in the state sectional round. Gordonsville enters play at 18-11.
Upperman will battle Giles County. Upperman held on at home for a victory against Lawrence County in a game that saw the score within five points or fewer for much of the fourth quarter. Upperman looks for a second straight trip to the state tournament. Giles County enters play 20-10.
Clay County faces Jo Byrns. Clay defeated Knowledge Academies at home in their quarterfinal matchup Saturday night. Clay looks for their first trip to state since the 2021-22 season. Jo Byrns enters Tuesday night’s game at 20-6.
Van Buren faces the Chattanooga School of the Liberal Arts. The Eagles of Van Buren enter after their win against Copper Basin at home Saturday night. They seek their second trip to the state championship in the last three seasons. CSLA enters play at 15-16.
