Big Game Players Make Big Game Plays!
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Wild night. DM @PrepHoopsTN with your stats/results to add to this and future stories.
First, check out how #1 Clinton (AAA) and Oak Ridge finished in front of a sold out gym in the 199th meeting between the two programs. Clinton’s Dragons (21-2) won for their very first time under Coach Aaron Green over perennial power Oak Ridge.
“Oh my gosh it was nuts,” said Lane Harrison afterwards. “That’s the most people I’ve ever seen in that gym by far.”
Clinton Starters
Trace Thackerson (’22)
Rishon Bright (’22)
Jackson Garner
Jackson
Garner
6'0" | PG
Clinton | 2022
State
TN
(’22)
F Lane Harrison (’22)
Jeremiah Blauvelt (’22)
Oak Ridge Starters
F Darren Osborn (’23)
G Lucas Searcy (’22)
G Caden Uptgraft (’22)
G Jameson Uptgrat (’22)
PG
Kell Slater
Kell
Slater
5'10" | PG
Oak Ridge | 2022
State
TN
(’22)
Dragons win!!! @Dragon__Hoops pic.twitter.com/qffKszO3A1
— Bobby Williams (@bobbywilliams) February 5, 2022
After his buzzer-beater, Trace Thackerson entered the locker room to a deluge of water cascading down upon him. The players were rightfully ecstatic. Another angle.
Down 2 with 2.8 seconds left, Dragons are clutch as Thack drains a 3 at the buzzer to end 12 year streak!!!!! pic.twitter.com/bzDvOXNC9f
— Chris Cool (@CCoolDragon) February 5, 2022
Andrew’s Views on Clinton/Oak Ridge
Both teams came out hot. Three-pointers bombarded the nets, no both ends. Lane Harrison, Trace Thackerson hit triples while Caden Uptgraft buried one too. The game was 12-11 midway through the first quarter. It did slow down.
Typically, high intensity games start a little slow offensively, as the players settle their nerves. There tend to be a lot of shots that miss long because of all the adrenaline. That did not happen tonight.
The first quarter finished 17-12 Oak Ridge.
Lane Harrison finished with 8 points and 4ish rebounds. He was key, as always.
Cleveland vs. Walker Valley
Cleveland secured a nice win, 48-37 over Walker Valley. The Blue Raiders have suffered a lot of losses this year, but continue to grow as a team. Entering the season, they were forced to replace some fantastic seniors, such as Kley McGowan and Grant Hurst. The ’23 class is not unexperienced, but they are stull truding uphill with 13 losses currently. The win tonight helped Cleveland improve to 6-3 within the district. They could have fallen to fifth with a loss to rival Walker Valley. Big, big win as they chase Howard and McMinn County, two teams with plenty of seniors.
Knoxville Catholic vs. McCallie
Two powers clashed with Knoxville Catholic and McCallie. Knox Cath star Brian Edwards (#3 in 2022) finished with 32 points and Blue Cain Blue Cain 6'4" | SG IMG Academy | 2023 State #102 Nation FL (#1 in 2023) recorded 16 points.
Now that Edwards and Cain are making the extra pass, the team is virtually unstoppable most nights. Imagine defending Blue Cain Blue Cain 6'4" | SG IMG Academy | 2023 State #102 Nation FL , hoping against hope to stop him from scoring and he feeds a teammate. Defenders must be slapping their foreheads in frustration.
Clay County vs. Pickett County
With the potential for Clay County to secure another District Championship on the line, Grant Strong Grant Strong 6'4" | SG Clay County | 2022 State TN scored 14 points with 7 rebounds and Jeff Spivey Jeff Spivey 6'4" | SF Clay County | 2022 State TN finished with 16 points.
The Bulldogs are now owners of four straight District Championships! They might have a Mr. Basketball. And, they are aiming for a return to Murfreesboro.
Bucs win at CSAS 52-39. Caden Johnson had 17pts 8reb 5asst. Jacob Shockley had 15pts 5reb. Jaylon Moore blocked 7 shots. Nathan Miller had 8pts 5reb. Brodie Johnston added 7.
— Boyd Buchanan Basketball (@BoydHoops) February 5, 2022
Just Scores/Stats
56 C.P.A.
68 M.B.A.
Krys Uselton
Krys
Uselton
6'0" | PG
Tullahoma | 2022
State
TN
: 30p, 9r, 2a, in W.
John Allen
John
Allen
6'1" | PG
Van Buren County | 2022
State
TN
had an explosive scoring night with 35 points (6-10 3’s)
Stone Memorial vs. Macon County
One of the best freshman scorers in the southeastern United States, Cade Capps Cade Capps 6'5" | SG Stone Memorial | 2025 State #210 Nation TN put up 22 points tonight with 16 coming in the second half. He hit four three-pointers in an important third quarter. Capps was helped by Blake Holt’s ten fourth quarter points. Matthew Bilbrey Matthew Bilbrey 6'0" | PG Stone Memorial | 2023 State TN put in 11 points.
Big home district win over upperman. @Jackson75364722 with 16 @TorresKole and @CbcCarson with 13 each @ReeceCrockett with 7 and @Devin90148918 with 6. Great d and rebounding from @JaxonReed12 and @acehawkins7 great bench energy as well!
— CCHSJETSBASKETBALL (@CCHSJETSBASKET1) February 5, 2022
Volunteer vs. Tennessee
For Volunteer (19-8, 6-2) Joltin Harrison Joltin Harrison 6'2" | SG Volunteer | 2023 State TN scored 19 points, 13 of them in the second half. Garrison Barrett put through 12 points. Andrew Knittel Andrew Knittel 6'3" | SG Volunteer | 2023 State TN scored 15 points (3-4 FT’s).
Bradin Minton Bradin Minton 6'2" | PG Volunteer | 2023 State TN delivered seven assists.
Dobyns-Bennett vs. Science Hill
Two Top 10 teams from 4A. Close game, battle to the end. Right?
DB won going away, 82-47. Just a sully pummeling. Carter Metz Carter Metz 6'1" | PG Dobyns-Bennett | 2022 State TN scored 15 points and one of the best players in eastern Tennessee Keynan Cutlip Keynan Cutlip 6'3" | PG Science Hill | 2022 State TN , the coach’s son, only managed six points as Metz defended.
Jack Browder Jack Browder 6'4" | CG Dobyns Bennett | 2022 State TN was huge with a double-double of 19 points and 19 rebounds! “Got glue on my hands,” he shared afterwards.
Beech vs. Gallatin
A 3 at the buzzer to send it to double OT pic.twitter.com/JwFUS8sGka
— Eddie Donovan (@EddieDo02607891) February 5, 2022
Adding more stats and notes all night long…