The next weekend of games will see many basketball teams play across the state of Tennessee. Only a select few will see their season advance into next week, and even fewer will possess an opportunity to be called regional champs and guarantee a spot in the sectional round.
GIRLS:
Livingston clashes with Tullahoma. The Lady Wildcats finished in fourth place in District 7AAA last week and look to get past the regional quarterfinals, where they were eliminated last year by Lawrence County. They will face the District 8AAA champions in Tullahoma, who enter play at 18-12.
Clarkrange faces Merrol Hyde. Clarkrange lost in the semifinals of the regional tournament to Pickett County to end last season and enter after finishing in third place in District 7A. Merrol Hyde enters play 8-17 after their loss to East Robertson in the District 8A championship.
York hosts Trousdale County. The Dragonettes completed their district championship run last week and looks for a return to state after last year’s performance ended with a three point loss to the state champions Gibson County in the semifinals. Trousdale County enters play with a record of 21-9.
Clay hosts Jo Byrns. The Lady Bulldogs saw their six game win streak come to an end in the championship game Friday night to Pickett County and could earn a home game in the sectional round should they win their next three games. Their first game they must win to keep their season alive will occur against Jo Byrns, who enters play at 4-19.
Cookeville welcomes Oakland. In the first of two elimination games between both teams, the Lady Cavaliers look to bounce back after losing to Lebanon for the second time this season Friday night by one point, 45-44. In order to possibly face them and even the season series, Cookeville will first need to defeat an Oakland team that stands 11-16, finishing in third place in their district tournament.
Cumberland travels to Franklin County. The Lady Jets split their district tournament at home last week and look to keep their season going against Franklin County. Franklin stands at 18-13, having seen their six game win streak broken by Tullahoma in the championship game Friday night.
Jackson battles Liberty Creek. The Lady Blue Devils will look to improve from their 1-2 record they acquired in their district tournament, needing to defeat Monterey last week to keep their season going. They will need to win twice more to continue their season, with their first opponent being a Liberty Creek team Jackson will travel to face. Liberty Creek enters 22-9, having the District 6AA championship.
Pickett clashes with Knowledge Academies. Pickett County won their district championship in close games against Jackson County and Clay County last week, but earned home-court advantage for this game. Knowledge Academies enters the arena Friday night with a record of 1-16.
Upperman faces Central Magnet at home. Upperman secured their home game with a second place finish in district tournament play. They scored 26 points in the loss to White County and will seek to improve their offense against Murfreesboro Central Magnet, who enters play at 10-21.
Sparta faces Lawrence County. White County defeated Upperman in the district championship game last week and also secured a home regional matchup Friday night. They look to avoid their 28-3 season being spoiled against a Lawrence County team standing 15-12 on the season.
Van Buren battles Lookout Valley. Both Van Buren teams won their district championships Monday night and enter both regional tournaments as the number one seed. The Lady Eagles will battle first on Friday night. They are tasked with defeating a Lookout Valley team that remains in search of their first win this season.
Warren heads to Brentwood. Warren lost to undefeated Coffee County in the district tournament semifinals last week and will travel once again to close the week. Brentwood will welcome the Lady Pioneers Friday night, having secured their district championship and a record of 24-4.
BOYS:
Clarkrange faces Jo Byrns. The Buffaloes will play their first regional game since the 2018-19 season, where they went to the regional semifinals. Clarkrange looks to improve their position after their district tournament performance ended with them losing twice. Jo Byrns enters play 19-6.
Clay battles Knowledge Academies. Clay comes off a loss to Pickett County in their championship game. They will head home and look for a regional victory against Knowledge Academies, who stands 8-13. Clay lost to Jo Byrns in the regional quarterfinals last season.
Cookeville faces Oakland. Cookeville enters off their District 7AAAA championship victory Saturday against Lebanon to increase their win streak to six. They will head home to welcome Oakland, who stands with a record of 9-20.
DeKalb battles Tullahoma. DeKalb defeated number three seed White County in the district tournament to keep their season going before losing to Stone Memorial and Livingston. They look for another season saving win Saturday night as they head to Tullahoma, the District 8AAA champions with a record of 26-4.
Livingston faces Giles County. The Wildcats finished in third place in the district tournament and looks to advance to the regional semifinals for the first time since the 2020-21 season. Giles County awaits the Wildcats with a 19-10 record.
Pickett and Merrol Hyde clash. Pickett won their district championship last week and seeks another trip to the regional championship. They look to win the championship this season after their point loss to Gordonsville last year. Merrol Hyde enters play 14-13.
Stone hosts Marshall County. The Panthers were rewarded with a home game after their second place in district play. They look for a possible rematch with Upperman in the regional playoffs, where they lost by one point last season to the Bees in the semifinals, ending their season. The Panthers will need to defeat Marshall County to continue their season Saturday night. Marshall enters with a record of 21-7.
Upperman faces Lawrence County. Upperman defeated Stone Memorial in the District 7AAA championship last Saturday. They look to continue their win streak against 14-14 Lawrence County. The Bees seek another trip to state, where they proceeded to go to Middle Tennessee State last year, losing in the state semifinals to the state champions in Fulton. (7 pm)
Van Buren welcomes Copper Basin at 5 pm Saturday night. The Eagles won their district championship and will host a regional game as a result. They seek their first win streak since early to mid January and their first appearance in state in two seasons. Copper Basin enters play at 7-14.
Warren faces Franklin. Warren looks to turn their season around after losing both of their district tournament matchups to Lincoln and Coffee County respectively. The Pioneers look to knock off the district 10AAAA Champions in Franklin who enter with a record of 23-5.
York plays against Westmoreland. York will seek to win their first game away from district 5AA Saturday night. The Dragons won four times in their district, including the district tournament, to finish the tournament in third place. They are tasked with facing Westmoreland who enters the regional playoffs at 15-12.
