Multiple schools across the Upper Cumberland have made the journey from Hall of Fame games in November to playing in the state sectional rounds. Some schools have the opportunity to play one final home game to determine if they will stay home or if those schools will travel to Murfreesboro next week. Others will need to win one more game on the road to establish their spot in the state quarterfinals.
GIRLS:
Van Buren travels to Clarkrange. Van Buren lost their regional championship to Copper Basin Wednesday night entering their fourth consecutive trip to sectionals. This marks the third time in the last four seasons Van Buren has faced either Clarkrange or Clay County for a spot in the state quarterfinals. These two teams faced off in sectionals last in the 2022-23 season, with Van Buren coming out on top. Clarkrange hopes for a different outcome Saturday night at home. They defeated Clay County to win the Region 4A Championship Wednesday night.
Clay County travels to Copper Basin. Clay County came up short in their championship effort against Clarkrange and will need to defeat Copper Basin to head back to Middle Tennessee State. They seek back-to-back trips to the state quarterfinals. Copper Basin enters play 17-8.
Livingston Academy travels to Heritage. The Lady Wildcats lost in overtime to White County in the regional final and will require another road win in order to advance to Murfreesboro. They seek their second trip to the state quarterfinals in the last three seasons. Heritage stands with a record of 31-2.
White County hosts Lenoir City. Sparta won for the fourth time against Livingston in the regional final and received the opportunity to head to Middle Tennessee with a home victory, where they stand undefeated so far this year. White County will look to head out of the sectional round for the first time since the 1996-1997 season, where they have lost their last four sectional games in between that span. Lenoir City enters 19-13.
Cookeville will welcome Cleveland. Cookeville went to Lebanon to win their second straight regional championship, defeating Lebanon for the second time in four matchups in the championship game. They will turn their attention back home one last time, where they currently sit undefeated on the year. Cleveland enters with a record of 24-8.
York heads back home to face Pearl Cohn. York defeated Jackson County in the regional championship and possesses a win streak of 17, dating back to December 30th, 2024. They look to avoid their second home loss this season en route to their potential fourth straight trip to Murfreesboro. Pearl Cohn enters play 16-8.
Jackson County will travel to East Nashville. The Lady Blue Devils fell short in their attempt to win the region and will need to win on the road once again in order to head to state quarterfinals for the first time since the 2013-14 season, when they went on to lose in the championship game. East Nashville heads home with a record of 24-1.
BOYS:
Upperman travels to Heritage. The Bees lost for the third time this season uin the regional championship to Tullahoma and will need to go on the road in order to return to Murfreesboro. They seek back-to-back trips to the state quarterfinals. Heritage enters play 26-7.
Clay County travels to Chattanooga Prep. Clay lost for the fourth time this season to Pickett County, with the latest coming in overtime Thursday night by one point, 65-64 being the final score. They seek their first appearance in state quarterfinals since the 2021-22 season, when the Bulldogs made it to the state semis. Chattanooga Prep enters play 20-7; they stand as the defending state champions.
Van Buren and Pickett will clash for the right to go to Middle Tennessee State. Pickett comes off an overtime victory over Clay County to see them win their region after losing in the championship game the previous two seasons. They seek a trip to the state quarterfinals for the first time since the 2020-21 season, where they made it to the semifinals. Van Buren lost to Chattanooga Prep in the regional final and will travel to Pickett, looking for their first trip to Murfreesboro since the 2016-17 season, where they defeated Pickett that season to move on to the state quarterfinals.
Jackson County will host East Nashville. Jackson County won their regional championship, becoming the fifth team in the Upper Cumberland to host a state sectional game. The Blue Devils seek to head back to state, with their last appearance coming in the 2007-08 season, where Jackson County made it all the way to the championship game. East Nashville enters Monday night with a record of 15-10.
