• Chuckey-Doak
Season Previews
PAGES 4, 6
• Greeneville
Season Previews
PAGES 8, 10
• North Greene
Season Previews
PAGES 12, 14
• South Greene
Season Previews
PAGES 16, 18
• West Greene Season Previews
PAGES 20, 21
• Composite High School Schedule PAGE 2
Nov. 17
• Cedar View at North Greene (Hall of Champions)
Nov. 18
• Hancock County at North Greene (Hall of Champions)
• South Greene boys at Tennessee High (Hall of Champions)
• West Greene at University High (Hall of Champions)
Nov. 20
• KACHEA at Chuckey-Doak (Hall of Champions)
• Greeneville at Bearden (Hall of Champions)
• North Greene at Jellico (Hall of Champions)
Nov. 21
• South Greene girls at Providence Academy (Hall of Champions)
Nov. 22
• Greeneville at Sevier County (Hall of Champions)
• West Greene at Washburn (Hall of Champions)
Nov. 24-25
• West Greene boys in Thanksgiving Tournament at Claiborne
Nov. 24-29
• Greeneville girls in Food City Classic at Sullivan East
• South Greene boys in Hardee’s Classic at David Crockett
• South Greene girls at Grainger Invitational
Nov. 25
• Washburn at North Greene
Nov. 26
• North Greene boys vs. Union County at Claiborne Thanksgiving Classic
Nov. 25-29
• Greeneville boys in Thanksgiving Classic at Gibbs
Nov. 25-30
• Chuckey-Doak girls in Hardee’s Classic at David Crockett
Nov. 26-30
• Chuckey-Doak boys in Hardee’s Classic at David Crockett
Nov. 28-29
• North Greene boys at Claiborne Thanksgiving Classic
• West Greene girls in
Thanksgiving Tournament at Union County
Dec. 1
• Cherokee at West Greene
Dec. 2
• North Greene at Chuckey-Doak
• Greeneville at Science Hill
• South Greene at David Crockett
Dec. 4
• Chuckey-Doak at Cherokee
• West Ridge at Greeneville girls
• West Greene at North Greene
Dec. 5
• Greeneville at Morristown West
• South Greene at Grainger
• David Crockett at West Greene
Dec. 6
• Cloudland at Chuckey-Doak
• South Greene at North Greene
Dec. 9
• West Greene at Chuckey-Doak
• Maryville at Greeneville
• Unicoi County at South Greene
Dec. 12
• Chuckey-Doak at Happy Valley
• Sevier County at Greeneville
• North Greene at Cherokee
• South Greene at West Greene
Dec. 13
• University High at Chuckey-Doak
• Greeneville boys vs. Page in Turnkey Classic at Knox Webb
Dec. 15
• University High at South Greene
Dec. 16
• Claiborne at Chuckey-Doak
• Greeneville girls at West Ridge
• North Greene at West Greene
Dec. 18
• Washburn at Chuckey-Doak
Dec. 17/18-20/21
• Greeneville girls in Doc Maples Holiday Classic at Tennessee High
• North Greene girls in Smokey Mountain Christmas Classic at Gatlinburg
• North Greene boys, South Greene boys, West Greene boys, South Greene girls, West Greene girls in Big H BBQ Christmas Bash at Cherokee
Dec. 18-22
• Greeneville boys in King of the Bluegrass at Fairdale, Ky.
Dec. 19
• Chuckey-Doak at Claiborne
Dec. 26-30
• Chuckey-Doak boys at Happy Valley Christmas Tournament
Dec. 26-31
• Chuckey-Doak, Greeneville, North Greene girls in Andrew Johnson
Bank Ladies Classic at Greeneville
• Greeneville boys in The Classic at Tennessee High
• South Greene in Innisfree Classic at Pensacola, Fla.
Jan. 2
• Chuckey-Doak at North Greene
• Cosby at West Greene
Jan. 3
• West Greene at David Crockett
Jan. 5
• Chuckey-Doak at Cloudland
Jan. 6
• Cherokee at Chuckey-Doak
• Alcoa at Greeneville
• Cosby at North Greene
• West Greene at Gibbs
Jan. 9
• Greeneville at Dobyns-Bennett
• North Greene at Cloudland
• Grainger at South Greene
• West Greene at Cherokee
Jan. 13
• Johnson County at Chuckey-Doak
• Bearden at Greeneville boys
• University High at North Greene
• Happy Valley at South Greene
• Unicoi County at West Greene
Jan. 15
• South Greene at University High
Jan. 16
• Chuckey-Doak at South Greene
• Greeneville at Grainger
• Unaka at North Greene
• West Greene at Johnson County
Jan. 20
• Unicoi County at Chuckey-Doak
• Volunteer at Greeneville
• North Greene at Cosby
• Johnson County at South Greene
• West Greene at Happy Valley
Jan. 23
• Chuckey-Doak at West Greene
• Cherokee at Greeneville
• North Greene at Hampton
• South Greene at Unicoi County
Jan. 26
• Greeneville at Maryville
Jan. 27
• Happy Valley at Chuckey-Doak
• Science Hill at Greeneville
• North Greene at Washburn
• West Greene at South Greene
Jan. 30
• Chuckey-Doak at Johnson County
• Cloudland at North Greene
• South Greene at Happy Valley
• West Greene at Unicoi County
Jan. 31
• Morristown East at Greeneville
Feb. 3
• South Greene at Chuckey-Doak
• Volunteer at Greeneville
• North Greene at University High
• Johnson County at West Greene
Feb. 6
• Chuckey-Doak at Unicoi County Grainger at Greeneville
• North Greene at Unaka
• South Greene at Johnson County
• Happy Valley at West Greene
Feb. 7
• Chuckey-Doak at University High
Feb. 10
• Greeneville at Cherokee
• North Greene at South Greene
• West Greene at Cosby
Feb. 12
• Chuckey-Doak at Washburn
• David Crockett at South Greene
• West Greene at Hancock County
Feb. 13
• Hampton at North Greene
Feb. 16
• Cherokee at North Greene
Feb. 17
• Greeneville at Dobyns-Bennett
By Montana Findley | ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR
With a first-year coach and a roster lacking a lot of varsity experience, the Chuckey-Doak Lady Knights are embracing the challenge in front of them.
Tanner Early steps into the role as the Lady Black Knights’ coach having spent the previous three seasons at White Pine Elementary in Jefferson County. Early also served as an assistant coach for the West Greene Middle basketball program previously.
“High school has always been the goal, and I think I’m ready,” Early
said. “I’ve done the assistant role, I’ve done the middle school. I think I’m ready to take the next step at the high school.”
Early took over the program in the beginning of June and only had five practices and two scrimmages before TSSAA’s dead period took effect.
Early’s main mission through his only few weeks with the team over the summer was to build a connection with the team.
“It was a little challenging because I didn’t know them, they didn’t know me,” Early said. “When practice was over, I was trying to chat with them,
getting to know them a little bit.
“I’m not trying to be a drill sergeant right at the start. It’s more like they can come talk to me, get to know me kind of thing.”
Since coming back from dead period, Early has had to condense their offseason into the few weeks ahead of the Lady Knights’ first game.
“I try not to get stressed over stuff, but it’s been kind of stressful to do the best job I can with them in this short amount of time to get ready for the season,” Early said. “It’s been the most challenging of my coaching career for sure.
“I’m throwing a lot at them in a short amount of time. They’ve
handled it very well to be so young. I’m impressed by it.”
The Lady Knights only have two seniors and one junior on the roster this season, having lost five starters and one rotation player off last season’s team.
Having virtually no varsity experience on this year’s roster, Early is counting on seniors Carlene and Cristen Bishop to lead the young Lady Knights group this year.
“We’re young, inexperienced at the varsity level,” Early said.
“(Carlene and Cristen) are going to have to be the leaders, and these underclassmen are going to have to grow up pretty quick.”
Early knows the young Lady Knights are going to make mistakes throughout the course of their first varsity season, but hopes they can respond in the right way as they search for consistent improvement throughout the year.
“It’s very tough, especially on the underclassmen. We’re making
mistakes and heads go down, confidence goes down, and we have to get them back up,” Early said. “I think in the long run, it’s good for them to get through that adversity when you’re young.”
As far as how he wants his team to play, Early said the focus has been on conditioning, as the Lady Knights hope to get out in transition early and often this year.
“We’re going to have to run and gun, get it out in transition, and go,” he said. “By the time we start the season, I think we’ll be where we want to be.”
While the Lady Knights may lack experience this season, the young roster is something that Early said is an exciting prospect for the future of the program.
“I tell people there might be some growing pains in year one,” he said. “We’re focused on this year right now, but it does excite me for the future of this team at Chuckey-Doak.”
The Lady Knights have a tall task ahead of them to reach the success of last season’s 16-14 team that made
Nov. 20 KACHEA (Hall of Fame)
Nov. 25-30 Hardee’s Thanksgiving Classic at David Crockett
Dec. 2 NORTH GREENE
Dec. 4 Cherokee
Dec. 6 CLOUDLAND
Dec. 9 WEST GREENE
Dec. 12 Happy Valley
Dec. 13 UNIVERSITY HIGH
Dec. 16 CLAIBORNE
Dec. 18 WASHBURN
Dec. 19 Claiborne
Dec. 26-31 Ladies Classic at Hal Henard
an appearance in the Region 1-2A tournament.
As far as what it’ll take to consider this season a success, Early said it isn’t about a certain number of wins, but rather seeing that consistent improvement each time the Lady Knights touch the floor.
Jan. 2 North Greene
(Home Games In CAPS)
Jan. 5 Cloudland
Jan. 6 CHEROKEE
Jan. 13 JOHNSON COUNTY
Jan. 16 South Greene
Jan. 20 UNICOI COUNTY
Jan. 23 West Greene
Jan. 27 HAPPY VALLEY
Jan. 30 Johnson County
Feb. 3 SOUTH GREENE
Feb. 6 Unicoi County
Feb. 7 University High
Feb. 12 Washburn
“As long as we improve, as long as we get better. Win or lose, we need progress, we need steps forward. We can’t go down,” said Early. “I want to compete. As long as we’re competing, we’re growing, and we’re getting better, I’m going to be happy and proud of this team.”
By Montana Findley | ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR
Last season wasn’t exactly what the Chuckey-Doak Black Knights basketball had hoped for. But this year’s experienced team is primed to right the ship.
Chuckey-Doak finished last season with a 6-20 record, and missed out on the region tournament for the first time since 2019-20.
With a roster led by five seniors and a junior, Chuckey-Doak coach Sam Broyles said the mission is to return to form.
“Their goal is getting back to that regional game, and hopefully getting to host that first region game,” Broyles said. “Especially coming back from last year with their experience, that’s their goal this year.
“We’re an experienced team. We have some guys that have played a lot of basketball, and have won a lot of games here,” Broyles said. “They want to get back to that point where we were a few years ago.”
With Ben Palazzo, Blake Lippard, Dominique Atchison and Gavin Crum
all having experience at ChuckeyDoak, with Braxstin Roberts joining the Black Knights for his senior season, Broyles is hopeful that their experience can go a long way.
“Four of the seniors have experience, (Roberts) it’s his first year at Chuckey-Doak High School,” he said. “You hope that can contribute to a good season, and improvement from last year. We’re excited and we’ll see how things go.”
The Black Knights’ lone junior Ryland Grindstaff joins the group of experienced players that Broyles hopes can help lead the way this season.
The biggest difference for this year’s team compared to some of the successful Black Knights teams of the past is the size they have in the post. Palazzo is a player that Broyles is looking at to provide some post presence this season.
“Ben gives us some size and some experience coming back,” Broyles said. “One of the goals I’d like to see for him is to lead this team in rebounding, and
PHOTO SPECIAL TO THE SUN BY BRYAN CANNON Chuckey-Doak’s Ryland Grindstaff blocks a shot by South Greene’s Jase Roderick during South Greene’s 63-24 win on Jan. 21 at Chuckey-Doak.
be able to guard everybody’s big.
“In our conference, there’s a lot of size coming back. South Greene has experience in the post, West Greene has size too, and those were the two teams that made our championship game last year. Now you have to throw Unicoi in the mix too.”
Not having the same size in the post that the Black Knights have had in years past, Broyles said the focus has been on being a team that’s able to pick up the pace of play and get out in
“You want to be able to play fast. Our conference is very competitive this year and most of the teams in it will play quick, they get up and down the floor,” Broyles said. “If you can’t get up and down the floor with them, it could
be a long season.
“We definitely want to play faster, we know we have to. It’s just the way the game has gone now. We know we have to play faster.”
While the Black Knights are able to rely on their experience to lead the way, Broyles said they have several underclassmen that are ready to find their way into the rotation this season.
“Our youth that’s coming along, they’re used to playing fast. So, that’s why I think it’ll be very competitive, even for the older guys,” Broyles said. “If you’re not contributing, doing what you need to do to help the team, there’s someone right there looking over your shoulder.
“They’re going to have to play, and hopefully play well pretty quickly.”
Broyles said he’s seen his upperclassmen already stepping into that leadership role.
“I’ve even seen it in football from Dom, which is great,” he said. “I see it every day in weight lifting and every day from Ryland.”
As Chuckey-Doak looks to improve on last season, Broyles said these upperclassmen have seen what it takes to make a postseason run, and are ready to make a run of their own.
“They’ve seen what it takes to win, to make those championship games. They feel like this year they can do that and help get us back to that,” Broyles said. “That’s the biggest thing, they’ve seen it. Now, hopefully they’ll show it.”
Nov. 20 KACHEA (Hall of Fame)
Nov. 26-30 Hardee’s Thanksgiving Classic at David Crockett
Dec. 2 NORTH GREENE
Dec. 4 Cherokee
Dec. 6 CLOUDLAND
Dec. 9 WEST GREENE
Dec. 12 Happy Valley
Dec. 13 UNIVERSITY HIGH
Dec. 16 CLAIBORNE
Dec. 18 WASHBURN
Dec. 19 Claiborne
Dec. 26-30 Christmas Tournament at Happy Valley
(Home Games In CAPS)
Jan. 2 North Greene
Jan. 5 Cloudland
Jan. 6 CHEROKEE
Jan. 13 JOHNSON COUNTY
Jan. 16 South Greene
Jan. 20 UNICOI COUNTY
Jan. 23 West Greene
Jan. 27 HAPPY VALLEY
Jan. 30 Johnson County
Feb. 3 SOUTH GREENE
Feb. 6 Unicoi County
Feb. 7 University High
Feb. 12 Washburn
By Sam Bundy | SPORTS EDITOR
When the Greeneville Greene Devils walked off the basketball court following a loss in the semifinals of the Class 3A state tournament in March, their future looked incredibly bright.
Junior Trey Thompson, a 6-foot-8 two-time Mr. Basketball finalist who was already Greeneville’s all-time leading scorer with 2,332 points, would be back for his senior season.
Junior Zaydyn Anderson, a point guard who had become a consistent scoring threat in addition to being a deft distributor of the basketball, would be back.
Sophomore Cole Smith, a power forward who understood his job was to help Thompson enforce the paint, would be back.
Everything was perfectly in place for the Greene Devils to make another serious run at their first state championship since winning back to back gold balls in 2021 and 2022. And then the bottom fell out.
Junior Cole Franklin, a shooting guard who had figured out his role and scored 10 points in the semifinal loss, would be back.
Anderson, also a highly-recruited receiver in football, announced his commitment to the Tennessee Vols and that he would be graduating early to get on campus, thus he would miss his senior season in basketball.
Smith tore his ACL during the
PHOTO SPECIAL TO THE SUN BY DAWN LAMBERT Greeneville’s Zy Neal pushes the ball up the floor during a 45-32 win over John Sevier in the Class 3A Area 1 middle school boys basketball championship on Jan. 30 in Kingsport.
summer and was lost for the year.
Thompson announced he would skip his senior year at Greeneville altogether to sign early with the Iowa Hawkeyes.
And Franklin decided he would
graduate early as well to enter the workforce.
Never has a Greeneville athletic team gone from riches to rags in such a hurry.
“Coming out of the state tournament, that’s four of the five starters who aren’t going to be with us this year that we thought would be back,” said Greeneville coach Brad Woolsey, whose Devils went 26-12 last season. “I keep talking in vague terms about the team and the upcoming season because everything is just really vague now.”
Thompson’s decision hurt the worst, of course. The big man averaged more than 24 points and more than 10 rebounds a game last season, and those are numbers that just can’t be replaced by any ol’ body.
“The timing of Trey announcing he was leaving for Iowa was really tough,” Woolsey said. “We had just finished our summer work when you spend time together at camp, you’re trying to figure out how you’re approaching the next year. And when someone of Trey’s caliber is no longer there ... things were built around him.
“At that point, you’re thinking, ‘Now what do we do?’ You have the choice
of how you’re going to handle it. And we just decided that we were going to work harder. We spent a whole lot more time practicing in July, which we usually don’t. And we’ve done more individual work this fall than we might have ever done. We’re just trying to make sure we’re doing everything we can to put us in the best position possible.”
If there is a positive in all this, it’s that the departures have created jobs for the taking.
“When you have a player like Trey, the shadow is pretty long. And it probably wasn’t just a shadow in high school, it was a shadow in middle school too that a lot of these kids had played in,” Woolsey said. “The shadow is removed now. And it’s going to be interesting to see how some of the kids fill those shoes.
“I’m sure some are excited about it, looking forward to expanding their game and trying to take advantage of the opportunities that are going to come their way throughout the season.”
So who do the Greene Devils have
Nov. 20 at Bearden
Nov. 22 at Sevier County
Nov. 25-29 at Gibbs Thanksgiving Classic
Dec. 2 at Science Hill
Dec. 5 at Morristown East
Dec. 9 MARYVILLE
Dec. 12 SEVIER COUNTY
Dec. 13 Page in Turnkey Classic at Knox Webb
Dec. 18-22 King of the Bluegrass at Fairdale, Ky.
Dec. 26-31 The Classic at Tennessee High
Jan. 6 ALCOA
that they can turn to? It’s gotta start with junior guards Taren Claridy and Yordan Mills, the only two players on the current roster who saw the court in the state tourney loss.
Claridy nor Mills scored a point in the loss, mind you, but both had their moments last season. Mills
Jan. 9 at Dobyns-Bennett
Jan. 13 BEARDEN
Jan. 16 at Grainger
Jan. 20 VOLUNTEER
Jan. 23 CHEROKEE
Jan. 26 at Maryville
Jan. 27 SCIENCE HILL
Jan. 31 MORRISTOWN EAST
Feb. 3 at Volunteer
Feb. 6 GRAINGER
Feb. 10 at Cherokee
Feb. 17 DOBYNS-BENNETT
played in 34 games and averaged 6.4 points, 1.8 assists and 1.5 rebounds. Claridy played in 30 games and averaged two points, an assist and 1.2 rebounds.
“Yordan is just a crafty kid. He shot
From David Crockett
By Sam Bundy | SPORTS EDITOR
During a team camp at East Tennessee State University in June, Greeneville girls basketball coach Annette Watts says she was approached by Brylee Tullock’s dad with the idea of the David Crockett star transferring to play her senior season for the Lady Devils.
“I said, ‘I think kids need to stay where they are,’” Watts recalled. “But he said, ‘Coach Watts, they’re all leaving (Crockett),’ and I knew they were. And he said, ‘I would just really like to see Brylee come to Greeneville.’
“And I said, ‘Well, she’s got to play defense. But other than that, anything I’ve ever seen out of your daughter
was great. And I will help her every way I can to make her even better.’”
Tullock, David Crockett’s all-time leading scorer, will primarily run the point for Greeneville but will also slide into the two guard spot depending on what offense the Lady Devils are running.
“What Brylee brings to our team is another high-level basketball IQ,” Watts said. “She can shoot the ball well, she can pass the ball well and she can play defense.
“She’s never been taught Watts defense, so she’s having to adjust to, ‘Oh my gosh, I’ve got to go as hard as I can go every minute on defense.’ But she’s adjusting well.”
In sports, just as in all walks of
life, there are egos to deal with. But Watts says Tullock has also adjusted well to her teammates and school at Greeneville.
“She’s come in and fit right in with our team,” Watts said. “Our team is no drama. Brylee is no drama. And that’s nice to see that a kid of that caliber can come in and just fit right in.”
After missing the state tournament for the first time since 2021 last season, the Lady Devils are hungry to get back to Murfreesboro. And Tullock certainly gives that goal a boost.
Last season, Tullock averaged a team-best 19.4 points, 6.5 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 2.8 steals per game
for a David Crockett team that posted a 33-4 record and reached the state sectionals.
“I’m tickled with how we’re all coming along,” said Watts, whose
Lady Devils went 22-11 a year ago. “It’s going to be fun to find out what our ceiling is. The girls are focused, they’re zeroed in. This year’s motto is ‘Trust the work.’ If you put the work in, listen to what you’re being told, go by our game plans and understand what Greeneville High does, we’ll be OK.”
Junior Maria Lyde is Greeneville’s top returning scorer at 15.5 points per game and top returning rebounder at 7.5 per game. She also averaged 2.3 assists, a team-best 2.2 steals and a team-best 2.3 blocks.
“Getting Brylee takes a tremendous amount of pressure off Maria,” Watts said. “Maria is going to have to carry us inside. She’s going to have to be that dominant post player in a guard’s body.
“Brylee can drive, move and throw the ball to Maria from any angle and Maria will catch it. Brylee hasn’t always had that. Teams she’s played with, she would throw a no-look pass and it would knock a nose off. But
Maria catches it and knows what to do with it.”
With the graduation of center Abby Adkins (12.1 ppg, 9.1 rpg), Lyde – the District 2-3A defensive player of the year last season – takes over the role of enforcer in the paint.
“Maria has gotten stronger and quicker,” Watts said. “She’s another year older and understands the game more now. She’ll have to replace Abby’s rebounding and those are big shoes to fill.”
With Tullock at the point, that will also allow sophomore Julia Woolsey to play more two guard and stretch forward.
“Brylee is more of a natural point guard and that is helping Julia,” Watts said. “Julia was coming on for us last year and that has definitely continued. She’s looking more to be a scorer. All summer long, she and Maria were our leading scorers. And her passing ability and court awareness is at an all-time high. And she can defend you on defense.
“The biggest thing she needs to learn is to stop being so hard on
Nov. 20 at Bearden
Nov. 22 at Sevier County
Nov. 24-29 Food City Classic at Sullivan East
Dec. 2 at Science Hill
Dec. 4 WEST RIDGE
Dec. 5 at Morristown East
Dec. 9 MARYVILLE
Dec. 12 SEVIER COUNTY
Dec. 16 at West Ridge
Dec. 18-20 Doc Maples Holiday Classic at Tennessee High
herself. Let a mistake roll off and go on. Sometimes she harbors it and let’s a mistake hang around. But she’s really fun to watch play because she’s always smiling. She loves to play, loves to compete.”
After missing last season with a
(Home Games In CAPS)
Dec. 26-31 Andrew Johnson Bank Ladies Classic at Greeneville
Jan. 6 ALCOA
Jan. 9 at Dobyns-Bennett
Jan. 16 at Grainger
Jan. 20 VOLUNTEER
Jan. 23 CHEROKEE
Jan. 26 at Maryville
Jan. 27 SCIENCE HILL
Jan. 31 MORRISTOWN EAST
Feb. 3 at Volunteer
Feb. 6 GRAINGER
Feb. 10 at Cherokee
Feb. 17 DOBYNS-BENNETT
knee injury, sharp-shooting Jordan Swatzell returns for her senior season. Two seasons ago as a sophomore, she played in 31 games and averaged 7.9 points.
By Montana Findley | ASSISTANT SPORTS
EDITOR
Coming off a 31-5 season and a trip to the Class A state tournament last season, the North Greene Lady Huskies are hopeful for another postseason run.
The Lady Huskies have made six consecutive trips to Murfreesboro for the Class A state tournament. However, the Lady Huskies look a bit different this season.
Having only two seniors and one junior on the roster this season, North Greene coach James Buchanan said the challenge this season is catching his young roster up to speed.
“You have a lot of sophomores
who were either not with the program last year, or were primarily a junior varsity player,” Buchanan said. “It’s a process. We won’t have it all figured out by opening day, but hopefully we will by the end.
“We’re all very well aware of the fact that with youth comes some rookie mistakes. We’re willing to live with that because we feel like the upside is way higher than any negative they may have early on.”
eniors Ella Head and Natalie Foshie, as well as junior Veronika Abrosikove, Buchanan said he’s seen plenty of leadership to catch the underclassmen up to speed.
“We’re leaning on our seniors for that leadership,” Buchanan said.
“Ella has been in the program now for four years, three year starter, an all conference player, she’s just a tremendous aspect for our program.
Foshie
Satine Johnson Fresh.
“Natalie has joined us just this year. Even though she’s new to our roster, she still brings a wealth of experience, high basketball IQ. We’re anxious to get to work with them.”
The Lady Huskies come into the
season with six players that have a solidified spot in the rotation, but with their young roster Buchanan hopes to become a deeper team as the season rolls along.
“Out of the 11 players that we have, we’re right around six that are in our normal rotation,” Buchanan said. “We feel like as some of those younger players come along, we might get to where we’re way deeper than just six.”
Sophomores Heidi Trentham and Kinlea Eastep, as well as freshmen Addi Dean and Satine Johnson are some of the underclassmen that Buchanan hopes can work their way into the rotation as the season progresses.
“Those players are hard workers,” Buchanan said. “They’re very intelligent players who I think have the potential to crack the rotation.
“I think the talent is there and the work ethic is there for all the young
ones. Just getting us all on the same page and becoming more familiar with the way we like to do things here will be big for us.”
With Josie Graham and Tralyn Southerland providing the Lady Huskies’ inside presence at 5-foot9 and 5-8 respectively, Buchanan hopes to continue their style of play of controlling the game from inside the paint.
“We’ve been very fortunate here over the last 10 or 15 years to have a solid post player,” Buchanan said.
“We’re not extremely tall this year, but we do have an inside presence with Tralyn and Josie, so there’s some inside-out there that we can do.
“The way I look at this team, we think we can play fast, pound it inside. We think we can mix up our defenses this year too.”
The Lady Huskies have intentionally scheduled teams like Cosby and Washburn, teams they might meet in the Region 1-A
Nov. 17 CEDAR VIEW (HALL OF CHAMPIONS)
Nov. 18 HANCOCK CO. (HALL OF CHAMPIONS)
Nov. 20 Jellico (HALL OF CHAMPIONS)
Nov. 25 WASHBURN
Dec. 2 Chuckey-Doak
Dec. 4 WEST GREENE
Dec. 6 SOUTH GREENE
Dec. 8 DOBYNS BENNETT
Dec. 9 Cedar View
Dec. 12 Cherokee
Dec. 16 West Greene
Dec. 18-20 Smoky Mountain Christmas Classic at Gatlinburg-Pittman
Dec. 26-31 Ladies Classic at Greeneville
Jan. 2 CHUCKEY-DOAK
tournament. However, Buchanan knows their schedule starts on a tough note, taking on several in-county opponents early in
Jan. 6 COSBY
(Home Games In CAPS)
Jan. 9 Cloudland
Jan. 13 UNIVERSITY SCHOOL
Jan. 16 UNAKA
Jan. 20 Cosby
Jan. 23 Hampton
Jan. 26 Dobyns Bennett
Jan. 27 Washburn
Jan. 30 CLOUDLAND
Feb. 3 University School
Feb. 6 Unaka
Feb. 10 South Greene
Feb. 13 HAMPTON
Feb. 16 CHEROKEE
December.
“We have some regional
By Montana Findley | ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR
When the Greeneville Greene Devils walked off the basketball court following a loss in the semifinals of the Class 3A state tournament in March, their future looked incredibly bright.
The North Greene Huskies basketball team is coming off of a 30-5 season and a second consecutive trip to Murfreesboro for the Class A state tournament.
With a new coach taking over the program this season, the Huskies are looking to keep their standards high as they hunt a return trip to state.
Matt Weems steps into the role of the Huskies’ coach, coming up from the North Greene Middle School program.
For Weems, he comes into the year having previously coached most of the roster when they were coming through WGMS, something he said has eased the transition to his first high school coaching stint.
“It’s been good. I had a prior relationship with a lot of these guys. I told them ‘You guys are going to have to be patient with me. I’m trying to figure things out too,’” Weems said. “I felt like I had to figure out where they were mentally. They’ve welcomed me with open arms and have all had a good attitude through the process.
“We had quite a bit of success with this senior group and won a
couple games down the road (in the postseason). It’s kind of full circle that I’m back with them for their senior year of high school. It’s crazy to watch them grow up.”
Weems said several players contacted him when it was announced that he would take over as North Greene’s next coach, having
built a relationship that transcends basketball with them.
“A lot of the guys reached out first thing. They kind of had a good understanding that I’d be interested in being back with them,” Weems said. “I like being one of those guys that if they need me for something, even outside of basketball, they know that I care about them as a person and not just a basketball player.”
The Huskies come into the year with eight seniors on the roster, and add five juniors as well. For Weems, he’s hoping to rely on his group of upperclassmen to lead the way going into the season.
“I have a couple who have played in a ton of games,” Weems said. “Tyler Britton has played a lot of basketball games over here, Jaiden Bailey is the same way. Isaac Gaby and Thomas Darnell ... could say the same thing about them too.
“That’s going to help me out a lot, I hope. They’ve been pretty good leaders. Overall, they kind of get these other guys going. They’ve done a good job of being leaders. They know what it takes to achieve the things we want to do this season.”
The Huskies come into the year with experience on their side, and already have their eyes set on a third straight trip to the state tournament.
“I think that’s kind of our goal is to get back there. They want to get down there and compete in Murfreesboro,” Weems said. “Not too many teams get the chance to do that, but If they buy in defensively, and get our heads where they need to be, we can give ourselves a chance to get back down there.”
For Weems, their success starts on the defensive side of the floor this season.
“I want us to be able to guard anybody. I know we’re athletic enough and strong enough,” he said.
Nov. 17 CEDAR VIEW (HALL OF CHAMPIONS)
Nov. 18 HANCOCK CO. (HALL OF CHAMPIONS)
Nov. 20 Jellico (HALL OF CHAMPIONS)
Nov. 25 WASHBURN
Nov. 26 Union County at Claiborne
Nov. 28-29 Claiborne Thanksgiving Classic at Claiborne
Dec. 2 Chuckey-Doak
Dec. 4 WEST GREENE
Dec. 6 SOUTH GREENE
Dec. 8 DOBYNS BENNETT
Dec. 9 Cedar View
Dec. 12 Cherokee
Dec. 16 West Greene
Dec. 18-20 Big H BBQ Christmas Classic at Cherokee
“I want us to be tough nosed and defensive minded. I think defensively, we’ll be able to guard a lot of people,
(Home Games In CAPS)
Jan. 2 CHUCKEY-DOAK
Jan. 6 COSBY
Jan. 9 Cloudland
Jan. 13 UNIVERSITY SCHOOL
Jan. 16 UNAKA
Jan. 20 Cosby
Jan. 23 Hampton
Jan. 26 Dobyns Bennett
Jan. 27 Washburn
Jan. 30 CLOUDLAND
Feb. 3 University School
Feb. 6 Unaka
Feb. 10 South Greene
Feb. 13 HAMPTON
Feb. 16 CHEROKEE
be physical, and be tough.”
By Wayne Phillips | SPORTS EDITOR EMERITUS
Last year was one most South Greene girls basketball fans would just as soon forget as a losing record at the school is very much a rarity.
But it seems that if anything could go wrong last year, it did for the Lady Rebels, and they suffered with an extremely young and inexperienced team that lost one key senior returnee for the entire year after being hurt in volleyball, then saw another senior go down with a season-ending injury at the Christmas break.
Add to that the emotional trauma that so many folks along the river, and south of it, endured after the big flood came through, and it was just a year that many students and people in general would just as soon forget about.
The end result of last year was a 10-21 record for South Greene, and there are hopes among the faithful that coach Stephen Gregg’s girls can begin the rebuilding process with hopes of improvement in 2025-26.
“When we lost Ryleigh (Gregg) for the year before the season ever started, then when Madison (Hensley) went down at the Ladies Classic, it was a lot for a young team to overcome as they were our two most experienced players,” Gregg said when talking about this year’s squad.
“We saw some possibilities early, especially when we beat Hampton in overtime at their place early, but when Madison went down we were without a point guard, and that job was by committee the rest of the season.”
There are 10 seniors on this year’s
roster, plus one sophomore and one freshman. A lot of those girls that are now seniors were tossed into the fire last year with very little experience, so they now have that season of playing to fall back on.
The chief returnee is Kortnei Bailey, who really played well late last season and will be the one lady that most defenses will focus on. She can score a lot of points and will be used at various positions.
“She really turned it on late last year, and we know most defenses will be after her this year,” Gregg said. “So we’ve got to develop some other girls who can step up. Ari (Hoese) would be the next with most experience, and we will expect more out of her. She’s long and can be bothersome to a defense, and she can bring the ball down the floor if we need her to.”
Gregg said the team might try to get into offenses that don’t require a true point guard. But stopping turnovers, which were a plague last year, will be key.
The Rebels do have a newcomer to the squad in Brieana Wilson, a senior transfer from the state of Oregon who has some basketball experience and a lot of potential. But she still much learn the Reb system and the other players as well. He has hopes that she can fit right in and be a big part of what the team does.
Gregg also is looking to keep Paisley Brobeck healthy and on the floor.
“She has not been healthy an entire year since she’s been at South Greene,” Gregg said. “We hope we can stay away from those injuries this season.”
Another returnee to look to is Reagan Arrowod, who got in some time last year and “was solid as a rock” on this year’s volleyball team.
“If she turns in that same type of effort on the basketball floor, she can help us,” Gregg noted.
Alexa Gabbard was a manager for the team her freshman year, but
traded in her clipboard for a uniform last year and played a lot as a junior. Samantha Birdwell returns and also got in plenty of playing time, as did Neveah Davis. All those girls are seniors.
A lack of juniors is a real concern to Gregg, noting that he has lost some taller girls to basketball because they play travel volleyball.
“Those travel volleyball coaches don’t want them to play other sports, so they won’t pick them on their team if they are involved in something else,” he said. “Some of those girls could really help us. I don’t like it, but there’s not much you can do about it.”
Summer ball was certainly better this year than last, and Gregg knows it’s been an uphill battle to get the Rebels to where they can just compete with some of the area’s better teams.
“Last year was humbling,” he said. “The circumstances last year were just not good, with injuries and everything going on. But you do the best you can with what you have,
Nov. 21 – at Providence Academy
Nov. 24-29 – at Grainger Invitational
Dec. 2 – at David Crockett
Dec. 5 – at Grainger
Dec. 6 – at North Greene
Dec. 9 – UNICOI COUNTY
Dec. 12 – at West Greene
Dec. 15 – UNIVERSITY HIGH
Dec. 17-20 – at Big H BBQ Classic (Cherokee HS)
Dec. 26-31 – at Innisfree Classic (Pensacola, Fla.)
and brings you to the realization that what really matters is the connection you have with the kids and preparing them for life. Most of them won’t play basketball after high school, but life goes on.”
Trinity Borner and Macy Roberts are other seniors looking for playing time.
(Home Games In CAPS)
Jan. 9 – GRAINGER
Jan. 13 – HAPPY VALLEY
Jan. 15 – at University High
Jan. 16 – CHUCKEY-DOAK
Jan. 20 – JOHNSON COUNTY
Jan. 23 – at Unicoi County
Jan. 27 – WEST GREENE
Jan. 30 – at Happy Valley
Feb. 3 – at Chuckey-Doak
Feb. 6 – at Johnson County
Feb. 10 – NORTH GREENE
Feb. 12 – DAVID CROCKETT
Madison Fillers is the lone sophomore and Savannah Thomas the lone freshman.
“I think we can be competitive,” the coach said. “We’ve got to play smarter. There’s not much depth. It’s a tough puzzle, but a year of maturation should help.”
“Jordan seems to be getting back in the groove,” Watts said. “She’s forgotten some things defensively, but she hasn’t forgotten how to shoot the ball.”
Senior Matea Gray, a sneaky offensive threat that teams often lose on the floor and a good defender, will be the fifth starter. She played in all 33 games last season
and averaged 5.7 points, 2.5 assists, 1.7 rebounds and 1.8 steals.
“Matea has never been what we call an offensive killer, but she has gotten a lot more confident with her shots this year,” Watts said. “She’s taking good shots. And, of course, she’s quick and has good hands for us on defense.”
Sophomore Allison Hayes, senior newcomer Emma Shelton, and freshmen Paizlie Christian, Kinsley
Spradlen and Ava Richey will work off the bench.
“Allison Hayes can come in at any of the guard spots,” Watts said. “She’s gotten strong and has improved her 3-point shot. She’s a good defensive player and she’s working on her ballhandling.”
The 5-foot-9 Shelton, who also played volleyball in the fall, will be counted on for depth in the paint.
“Emma played all through
elementary school. And when she got to high school, I begged her to play,” Watts said. “Her mama and I really worked on her. And this year, she came to me and said she wanted to play.
“She’s got to get back with the quickness of the game, but she’s a strong, physical body. She’s a presence down low and she’s going to see playing time. We’re going to need her in there.”
By Wayne Phillips | SPORTS EDITOR EMERITUS
For the past three seasons the South Greene boys of veteran coach Terry Hoese have been a team stocked with plenty of size and talent, making them a preseason team to watch for postseason glory.
The cupboard is not completely bare for the Rebels, but there’s not as much size in the 2025-26 edition, and Hoese, beginning his 26th year as coach, is really not sure how good this squad can be.
“We’ll look a lot different,” Hoese smiled. “We’ll have to try and spread the floor some. We can’t expect to go down there on offense and post up a 6-8 or 6-6 kid and throw him the ball.
“We played in summer camps and didn’t win a lot of games, while last
summer we played and beat about everybody we played,” he added.
“But we played a lot of good teams this summer. And we competed.
Defensively, we’re better I think. But it will obviously have to be a different style of play.”
The Rebels lost three key players to graduation in Jase Roderick, Chandler Gamble and Trey Gentry. Roderick was 6-6, Gamble 6-8 and Gentry wound up playing at guard and was especially effective.
“Ability wise, Jase and Chandler were special,” Hoese said. “But Trey playing out front will be really hard for us to replace this year. I didn’t have to worry about the press or turning it over with him out there, so that’s a big loss.”
This year’s Rebel team has six seniors, four juniors and two sophomores. Expect all of them to play at some point this year.
“There’s not a player on that roster that I would be afraid to stick in the game,” Hoese said.
With several of the players involved in the football playoffs, Hoese knows it will mean the season start could be slow, but that will open time for others to step up and get in valuable minutes.
Cayden Fillers is back for his senior year and will hold down the post position as the tallest player on the team at 6-6. He is also the returnee with the most experience.
“Cayden has done a number of things for us since he’s been here,” the coach noted. “He beats and bangs in
there physically, he rebounds, he runs the floor and brings the ball up the floor part of the time. His shooting is better now, and he will have to take on more of the scoring role for us. Most of
the time we’ll post him up, but he can still move out there in our offense and get some shots. But he’s got to have a bigger role this year.”
Gavin Dyer is a junior and has grown some over the summer, now listed as 6-3. He got in a lot of time last year. Hoese will depend on him for his shooting ability from the perimeter.
Will Arrowood is a senior and saw some minutes on the floor last year and will be expected to be among this year’s starters.
“He’s only 6-1, but he plays much bigger than that and we will expect him to bang around inside and help us in there on the boards,” Hoese said. “This team looks better on defense. They understand rotations better, and from that aspect we will be quicker and everybody know how to play our matchup zone.”
Charlie Lane is a 5-11 senior and has had an incredible year in football, and Hoese hopes that transcends to the basketball court. Look for him to start at a guard spot.
Lucas Couch is another footballer and is a 6-2 senior who also will probably be in the starting five once all
From LADY HUSKIES
page 13
opponents, some people we might run into in the region tournament, early on,” Buchanan said. “It doesn’t take long for it to get really important.
From HUSKIES page 15
During his time at the middle school level, Weems said he remained involved with the high school. Weems knows they’re going to have some gaps to fill with Bennett McLain, Lawson Davenport and Lance Carrico graduating off of last year’s team.
“I kept an eye on them, I know we’re going to have to make up some scoring,” he said. “These groups have done that before, so it’s just that next man up mentality here.”
the football players return to the gym.
Noah Wright is a 6-1 junior and is also looking for a starting role after earning time last year.
“We’re not that small, just not like we were,” the coach smiled. “Lucas is athletic, Simon Burns (6-3 junior) will play a lot. Zack Mason (5-11 senior) will get some minutes. Soi will Brant Wilhoit (5-11 senior).”
Key factors for the Rebels to keep up their winning ways? Hoese knows it will come with rebounding.
“Rebounding will be a big deal,” he said. “We don’t have 6-8 and 6-6 to go get it. If we can rebound the ball on the defensive end of the floor, I think we will be OK. I think we will be able to hole teams to a lower point total than we have in the past.”
Other team members are Eli Fillers (5-11 junior), and sophomores Jameson White (5-9) and Alex Leon (6-0). He expects all of those boys to get on the floor at some point.
The District 1-2A looks tough this year with the addition of Unicoi County, which dropped down from the 3A ranks.
“They have athletes plus I think the best freshman around,” Hoese said of the Blue Devils. “They’ve been playing
“We have all three of our county schools in the same week. So we know we’re going to be tested early on.”
Buchanan said he hopes his team takes the program’s recent success and continues to strive for
Nov. 18 – at Tennessee High
Nov. 24-29 – at Hardee’s Classic (David Crockett High)
Dec. 2 – at David Crockett
Dec. 5 – at Grainger
Dec. 6 – at North Greene
Dec. 9 – UNICOI COUNTY
Dec. 12 – at West Greene
Dec. 15 – UNIVERSITY HIGH
Dec. 17-20 – Big H BBQ Classic (Cherokee High School)
Dec. 26-31 – at Innisfree Classic (Pensacola, Fla.)
in the next higher class so I think they are favored to win our league. Bu West Greene on paper might be the best. They lost their point guard but got a point transfer in from Cherokee, and the Lamons kid is just a monster on the post. Happy Valley and ChuckeyDoak should both be better than last year, and Johnson County has a new coach and a lot of new kids, so I’m not sure about them.”
As for Region 1, Alcoa and Austin-
improvement as the Lady Huskies hunt a seventh consecutive state tournament appearance.
“I hope they take that success and build on it. I think the talent is there that we can still be successful,” Buchanan said. “We just want to
Jan. 9 – GRAINGER
Jan. 13 – HAPPY VALLEY
Jan. 15 – at University High
Jan. 16 – CHUCKEY-DOAK
Jan. 20 – JOHNSON COUNTY
Jan. 23 – at Unicoi County
Jan. 27 – WEST GREENE
Jan. 30 – at Happy Valley
Feb. 3 – at Chuckey-Doak
Feb. 6 – at JOHNSON COUNTY
Feb. 10 – NORTH GREENE
Feb. 12 – DAVID CROCKETT
East have both moved out of that region, so that helps this district, Hoese said.
“We’ve been close (to going to state) the past two years, and probably should have moved on farther last year but just couldn’t get the ball in the hole the last two or three minutes against Austin-East,” he noted. “It’s frustrating to not win that big one, but Knoxville schools have been able to out-physical us.”
be competing at the highest level possible when the postseason rolls around.
“Hopefully we gel by then and give ourselves the best chance possible to move as far into that tournament as we can.”
The Huskies don’t take long into the year before battling with some District 1-A opponents, but is ready to see his team get tested as they prepare for a long season.
“All of our county opponents are going to be tough outs,” Weems said.
“I’m excited for the county school games. I know our conference games are going to be pretty tough too.
“If we want to get to where we want to go, those games are good for us. I’m excited.”
By Montana Findley | ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR
Last season’s first round exit in the District 1-2A tournament wasn’t the end to the year that the West Greene Lady Buffaloes basketball team had hoped for.
But with an experienced roster this year, the Lady Buffs are aiming for a deeper playoff run.
“We ended badly,” said West Greene coach Betsy Shaw. “We didn’t end well at all, and we had a decent season. We’re hoping to do better in that aspect, that postseason play.
“We met about a week after our season ended to try to get on the same page because no one here wanted that to happen again.”
The Lady Buffaloes finished last season with a 13-14 record, advancing to the District 1-2A tournament as
a three seed. The year broke West Greene’s streak of back-to-back seasons with under 10 wins.
With four returning starters on the squad this season, Shaw said they’re relying on their experience despite not having a single senior on the team.
“I think we’re an experienced team, but we have zero seniors,” Shaw said.
“I had one graduate last year, but she did a lot for us, so we’re going to have to step up to try to fill that gap.”
“I’m really excited. I have some great girls. They’re super coachable. They play hard.”
While the summer has been spent introducing some new concepts to the team, Shaw said it’s been immensely helpful to have their experience as far as setting the standard for the underclassmen goes.
“It’s been good. We’ve put in a lot of new stuff, changed our personnel. They know what the expectations are,” Shaw said. “I don’t have to say the expectations because they know what we do and what we don’t do here, I think that’s helped a ton.”
As far as the summer went for the Lady Buffaloes, Shaw said the main focus was on improving each of their individual skills.
“I think they’re growing every day, scrimmaging and through the summer,” she said. “The more they play together, the more experience they have together, and that always helps.
“I think you get better individually in the summer, and you get better as a team in the season. The
By Montana Findley | ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR
The West Greene Buffaloes basketball team turned in a 16-11 record last season, the first winning season in 25 years. This year, the Buffaloes hope to keep the momentum rolling.
West Greene coach Allen Tolliver said the team met to discuss how they plan on continuing their success from last year, and it ultimately came down to the team building a relationship outside of basketball.
“We sat down as a team after we had tryouts, we just talked about goals and aspirations as a team. One of their goals was to be a tight knit team,” Tolliver said. “I think that’s a huge step for us if they can get that closeness, that bond, that’ll go hand in hand with how we play in the season.
“I feel like the foundation has been laid. The guys before us have laid the foundation. We want to just keep that culture going and build a strong culture here at West Greene.”
The Buffaloes graduated three seniors off last year’s team and come into the season looking for several players to step up quickly. West Greene comes into the year with three seniors and two juniors on the roster.
“We’re a young team. Not a ton of varsity experience,” Tolliver said.
“I really have two guys with varsity experience.
“They’re vocal. They lead by example. It’s like having another set of eyes out there. Talking to the young guys, helping them learn the ropes with how we do things in high school.”
While inexperience is a hurdle the Buffaloes will have to get past early on in the season, Tolliver said there is a silver lining with a younger roster.
“The bright side is you know you have the opportunity to mold them for four years if they stay dedicated and stay with the program,” he said.
Tolliver said he has already seen growth out of his young roster throughout the summer as the Buffaloes adjust from middle school to the high school game.
“They’ve responded well. You can tell from this summer that the pace of play is totally different to them and they’re adjusting to the speed,” he said. “They’re a coachable bunch that’s eager to learn. They want to get
is really where you get better with individual stuff.”
One thing that Shaw hopes her team can hang its hat on this season is the ability for any single player to step up and have a big game any given night.
“Any given night someone could have a big night for us, that’s one of the great things about being on a team, you never know who is going to have a big night for you,” she said. “We’ll have that here, because there’s several that could have a big night.”
As the Lady Buffaloes prepare to open the season, Shaw said their biggest tests will come through district play, which opens with a trip to Chuckey-Doak on Dec. 9.
The Lady Buffaloes follow their trip to Chuckey-Doak with another district battle against South Greene, and then a non-district battle against another in-county foe as they host North Greene.
“Our conference is tough. Every conference game will be tough,” Shaw said. “Every night you’re going to have to go out and be ready to play.”
As far as what will be different about this year’s Lady Buffaloes team, Shaw said she’s hoping to get out in transition and play a faster brand of basketball.
“We’re hoping to move a little bit quicker up the floor than we have in the past,” Shaw said. “That’s the big change, hoping to play a little quicker than we have in the past.”
Nov. 18 University High (Hall of Fame)
Nov. 22 Washburn (HOF)
Nov. 28-29 Thanksgiving Tournament at Union County
Dec. 1 CHEROKEE
Dec. 4 North Greene
Dec. 5 DAVY CROCKETT
Dec. 9 Chuckey-Doak
Dec. 12 SOUTH GREENE
Dec. 16 NORTH GREENE
Dec. 18-21 Big H Christmas Bash at Cherokee
Jan. 2 COSBY
after it. If they give you that effort, it makes everything else pretty easy.”
Tolliver said the Buffaloes have already started mixing up their rotations, looking to throw as many different looks out on the floor as possible.
“We’re dressing 10 to start with. I’m pretty comfortable going seven to eight deep, throwing out some different rotations,” he said. “We’re going to try to mix it up, make it a little unpredictable for teams.”
As far as how he wants this Buffaloes team to look this year, Tolliver said the keys are being stout on the defensive end of the court and taking high percentage shots.
“I’m a big defensive guy. I think defense leads to offense,” he said. “On the offensive end, I’m big on paint touches. We want to get at least one to two feet in the paint in each possession.
“We’re trying to find out what a great shot is compared to a good shot. We want to take great shots.”
Heading into their season opener, Tolliver knows there might be some growing pains as they integrate several new faces into the team. However, he’s confident that the
team will come together throughout the course of the year.
“We just have to get used to playing together. Filling those shoes, it’ll be a challenge,” Tolliver said. “It might be mid December before we find our stride, it might be January. Everybody knows the real goal is to find your stride before the tournament starts.
“I know with a young team, you’re going to take your bumps, you’re going to take your bruises. It’s just about how you respond to that.”
The Buffaloes hosted a region tournament game for the first time in school history last season. Tolliver said they’ve given themselves a look at some tough competition throughout the year as they prepare for another run at the region.
“Our schedule gets tough off of the rip. University high, always known to be a solid, scrappy bunch. We got Gibbs, Cherokee, David Crockett and some teams that are bigger,” he said. “We want to play teams like that and prepare for teams in that other region that will be tough.
“I think it’ll be good for these young guys to go ahead and see that speed early and not be wowed by it if we’re blessed enough to reach that tournament.”
(Home Games In CAPS)
Jan. 3 Davy Crockett
Jan. 6 Gibbs
Jan. 9 Cherokee
Jan. 13 UNICOI COUNTY
Jan. 16 Johnson County
Jan. 20 Happy Valley
Jan. 23 CHUCKEY-DOAK
Jan. 27 South Greene
Jan. 30 Unicoi
Feb. 3 JOHNSON COUNTY
Feb. 6 HAPPY VALLEY
Feb. 10 Cosby
Feb. 12 Hancock
Nov. 18 University High (Hall of Fame)
Nov. 24-25 Thanksgiving Tournament at Claiborne
Dec. 1 CHEROKEE
Dec. 4 North Greene
Dec. 5 DAVY CROCKETT
Dec. 9 Chuckey-Doak
Dec. 12 SOUTH GREENE
Dec. 16 NORTH GREENE
Dec. 18-21 Big H Christmas Bash at Cherokee
Jan. 2 COSBY
Jan. 3 Davy Crockett
SCHEDULE (Home Games In CAPS)
Jan. 6 Gibbs
Jan. 9 Cherokee
Jan. 13 UNICOI COUNTY
Jan. 16 Johnson County
Jan. 20 Happy Valley
Jan. 23 CHUCKEY-DOAK
Jan. 27 South Greene
Jan. 30 Unicoi
Feb. 3 JOHNSON COUNTY
Feb. 6 HAPPY VALLEY
Feb. 10 Cosby
Feb. 12 Hancock
emake the world amore thoughtful &caring place every.s ingle. da y.
over 40 percent from 3 last year, so he’s a guy we’ll be expecting to step up and shoot the ball for us,” Woolsey said. “The biggest area he needed work on this summer was taking care of the basketball. If he does that then he’s going to have a lot of success.”
The biggest improvement the Greene Devils have seen with Claridy in the offseason has been the mental side of the game.
“He’s a passionate kid who plays hard and there are aspects of that passion you have to dial in. He did a real good job this summer of doing that,” Woolsey said. “He’s continued to get better. He plays above the rim. He can put the ball on the floor and get to the rim, and he can shoot the 3. Good rebounder, too. He’s just an explosive athlete.”
Ryan Maggert and William Woolsey, Brad’s son, are the only two seniors on the roster. Maggert appeared in 22 games last season, averaging 2.7 points. Woolsey battled injuries a year ago and appeared in just four games, averaging two points.
“Will and Ryan have worked really hard this fall to get their bodies to where they’re going to be capable of contributing more,” Brad Woolsey said. “Will can do a lot of things well like boxing out, staying with people, finding the open man, and Ryan shoots the ball well.”
Zy Neal, a freshman point guard with a high ceiling, will likely be counted on to contribute sooner than later. A year ago as an eighth-grader, he led Greeneville Middle School to a 25-4 record, including a 17-0 mark in conference play, and an appearance in the state sectional semifinals.
“Zy is good. He’s got a great blend of athleticism and can score at about any level,” Brad Woolsey said. “He’s got a good jumper. He shoots the 3 well. He can get to the rim. But where he might stand out even more is his on-ball defense, which is not normally something you can say about a freshman.”
The rest of the roster includes juniors Braylen Kidwell, Ryan Jobe and Parker Quillen, and sophomore
Amir Knight. At 6-foot-3, Knight is the tallest player on a roster that now lacks size.
“To combat that, you just have to try to be as physical as possible, have as good of technique as possible,” Brad Woolsey said. “We have some guys who I think can do some little things to hopefully make that situation a bit better. And Amir Knight is a guy who could help us on the glass.”
Complicating things more is the Greene Devils’ schedule this year was built around the players they thought would be coming back.
Greeneville has Alcoa, Bearden, Dobyns-Bennett, Maryville, Morristown East, Science Hill and Sevier County – all top-tier programs – on its non-conference slate.
The Greene Devils will also face strong competition at The Classic tournament in Bristol and the King of the Bluegrass tournament in Kentucky.
Brad Woolsey says he understandably continues to be asked about the departures, especially Thompson, everywhere he goes. And while he doesn’t expect that will end soon, he says the team has moved on and is just trying to figure out its next steps.
“Personally, I still get to do what I’ve always wanted to do and that’s to coach kids from Greeneville,”
Brad Woolsey said. “I still get the opportunity to spend time with kids in our community and see them develop not only as basketball players, but as young men. That aspect of it never changes for me.
“The basketball stuff, though, is going to be tough. We’re not going to sugar coat it and be like, ‘Oh, no. Everything’s great and dandy.’ We’re looking at one of the toughest schedules that we’ve ever had. So it’s going to be tough. It’s going to require a lot of perseverance from the guys we have. But we get to be together. We get to play for each other. And I think in the end, some good things will happen.”
of our teams the verybest this season!
