Devils Win First Basketball State Title

The Greeneville boys basketball team, and North Greene boys and girls basketball teams got things rolling in the year in sports with all three reaching state tournaments in March of 2021 at MTSU in Murfreesboro.

GREENEVILLE BOYS

Senior Connor DeBusk knocked down a 3-pointer with 12 seconds to play, lifting the Greeneville Greene Devils to a 47-46 win over Jackson South Side in the Class 2A state championship game.

Reid Satterfield fired a pass to the left corner. And DeBusk, standing open in front of Greeneville’s bench, launched without hesitation to give the Devils their first state title.

“It’s something every little kid dreams of, to hit that final shot. This feels amazing,” DeBusk said after the game. “I had confidence it was going in, and when it went through the net it was like a burst of energy came out of me. It was so exciting.

“Last year when COVID canceled the tournament, we made the decision that we are coming back and we are going to win this thing. That’s what we did. It’s great to do it with these guys, and I hope they do it again next year.”

DeBusk, a senior, had grown up watching Greeneville basketball. His dad, Doug, was a standout for the Greene Devils, as was his older brother Dylan. His uncle, Frankie, played on the Devils’ 1986-87 state semifinal team, what many believe to be Greeneville’s best team.

With the fi nal shot of his high school career, Connor ended that debate.

“I’m still trying wrap my head around it,” DeBusk said. “Me and uncle Frankie have gone back and forth on who has the better team. But it really feels special to bring this program its fi rst state championship.”

DeBusk’s game-clinching triple was the only 3-pointer the senior point guard made all tournament.

“Connor has the same mentality year round,” Greeneville coach Brad Woolsey said following the game. “Whether it’s the weight room, open gym or a game, his eff ort and execution is always there. It’s crazy to me that he hit the shot. He was the guy and he knocked it down. For me to see all of the work come together and for him to step up on the biggest stage, in the biggest game is unreal.”

Satterfi eld led Greeneville with 19 points while going 11-for-12 at the free-throw line. Ja’Kobi Gillespie put in 17 points and grabbed seven rebounds. DeBusk fi nished with seven points, three assists and three steals. All 3 were named to the Class 2A State Tournament All-Tournament Team as the Devils wrapped up a 32-6 season.

Gillespie was a fi nalist for Mr. Basketball in Class 2A.

NORTH GREENE BOYS

The North Greene Huskies reached the semifi nals of the Class A state tournament before falling to Clay County, 65-49.

The loss ended the most successful season in Husky basketball history as they advanced to the state semifi nals for the third time and fi nished with a program best 33 wins.

“It says a lot about these kids to get here,” Tarlton said following the game. “We didn’t even know if were going to get to play this year. We went through a lot of protocols and changes to what they are used to. To have a school record in wins in this type of year says a lot about these kids. I couldn’t be more proud of these seniors. I came in four years ago, and this is the first group I have seen all the way through. I’m sure going to miss them.”

North Greene’s five seniors – Carson Whaley, Cayden Foulks, Chance Campbell, Kendal Loftis and Shane Cooter – finished their careers as the winningest class in North Greene history with 107 wins over their four years.

“I think we all came together this season,” Campbell said following the game. “I’d call it legendary. It’s been a special year for us. With everything we were facing coming into the year, to be able to make it this far as seniors was really special to us.”

Chriss Schultz, a German exchange student led North Greene with 19 points and 15 rebounds.

“This year has meant a lot to me,” Schultz said. “In Germany they haven’t gotten to play basketball. To be a part of this team and this community has meant a lot to me.”

Campbell was also in double fi gures with 10 points.

Clay County’s Grant Strong poured in a gamehigh 32 points and was later named Mr. Basketball in Class A.

SUN FILE PHOTO Greeneville’s Connor DeBusk (center) raises the Class 2A state championship trophy on March 20, 2021, after the Greene Devils beat Jackson South Side 47-46 for the program’s fi rst state championship.

SUN FILE PHOTO SUN FILE PHOTO

North Greene’s Breezy Savage (right) fi st bumps with assistant coach Kurt Glover prior to the 2021 Class A state tournament championship game in Murfreesboro. North Greene’s Chriss Schultz (33) shoots over Clay County’s Keaton Arms in the 2021 Class A state tournament championship game.

NORTH GREENE GIRLS

North Greene shot just 16 percent from the fi eld through three quarters, and despite a valiant push late fell 49-41 to Summertown in the semifi nals of the Class A state tournament.

“I have to give a lot of credit to these girls for not giving up and showcasing a lot of fight,” North Greene coach James Buchanan said following the game. “We were undersized today. We don’t carry around the accolades these other schools do. We don’t have the Miss Basketball finalist or kids with Division I offers. But we are a scrappy bunch, a tough-nosed group. They play together and it’s been an absolute joy to coach them this year.”

The loss ended the second-most successful season in program history as the Lady Huskies advanced to the state semifi nals for just the second time. In 2011, North Greene advanced to the state championship game.

The Lady Huskies’ four seniors – Breezy Savage, Haleigh Bernard, Natausha Harmon and Emma Southerland – fi nished their careers at North Greene with 106 wins.

North Greene junior Brooklyn Anderson fi nished the semifi nal with 21 points, fi ve rebounds and three assists. It was her second big game of the tournament.

Shelby Davenport, another North Greene junior, fi nished with 11 points and fi ve rebounds.

Benchmarks E Story Index

Devils Win First Basketball State Title ................................................................................2 Football Teams Somewhat Return To Normalcy .................................................................3 South’s Volleyball Title Highlights Fall Sports ....................................................................5 Greene County Well Represented At Spring Fling ..............................................................7 Flyboys’ First Season A Huge Success .................................................................................9 Past Year A Busy One For Rural Resources .......................................................................13 Tusculum Arts Outreach Program Sees Leadership Change .............................................14 NPAC Again Hosting Well-Attended Shows ......................................................................16 Greeneville Theatre Guild Continues To Thrive, Plans For Future ...................................17 Capitol Theatre Got Upgrades In 2021, Has Full Schedule ...............................................18 Partnership Continued Supporting Businesses, Community In 2021 ..............................19 Greeneville Light And Power System Approved Broadband Project In 2021 ...................20 Greene County Landmarks Got A Touch-Up In 2021 .......................................................20 Greeneville Airport Introduced New Ways To Fuel Up In 2021 .......................................23

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