Region 4-A Big on Talent

Like the Tuesday tradition of music releases, today the Regional Semifinals drop. In Class A, the Regional 4 Tournament is big on talent. Despite Clay County losing, in stunning fashion, to Knowledge Academies, the four seed, Region 4 still holds a few, nice basketball players.

Take a look.

Knowledge Academies (4) vs. East Robertson (2)

The reigning Class A State Champion, East Robertson is not as deep as last season. Of course, Taylor Groves is irreplaceable. Still, Elijah Groves Elijah Groves 6'4" | SF East Robertson (football) | 2024 State TN , the supremely-athletic and active forward is accompanied by several talented starters.

Elijah Groves Elijah Groves 6'4" | SF East Robertson (football) | 2024 State TN is not the same type of player as Taylor. Taylor was a dominating, slick-handling point guard with shooting range. Elijah is a powerful leaper with ability to around the rim. He scores above the trees as the Class A level. Regardless of class, Elijah is an elite offensive rebounder, an elite jumper, and a fantastic dual-sport athlete (football).

Groves stats entering the playoffs, were: 19 points per game, 3.6 assists per, 2.3 steals per, 1.0 bpg, and 10.5 rebound each night. Elijah's activity around the rim helps him both collect rebounds and finish high and occasionally unchallenged.

Frankly, Elijah is a Top 40 college prospect in the junior class. Football seems certainly his future, based on his wonderful D1 football offers already in hand, but an athlete his height with the ability to play and thrive above the rim will always have an opportunity in D1 basketball.

East Robertson's starters last spring, in the State Championship Game, were Taylor Groves, Elijah, Zechariah Prince, Mason Eidson, and Jordan Barnard.

Zechariah Prince, Mason Eidson, and Elijah are all playing this season, while both Taylor and Jordan graduated.

Carson Craig and Isaiah Groves matured into key players after putting in a few minutes in the Indians' final game. In that State Championship Game, Isaiah jumped off the bench to play seven minutes (0-1 FG, 2r, 1s).

A large amount of Class A players compete in multiple team sports. Carson Craig is one of the guys starting for both the East Robertson High School football team and basketball team. With the hoopers, Craig pairs with Elijah around the rim. Standing 6-foot-3, Craig is a typical Class big man. A few times this year Carson Craig lead the team in scoring.

Wesley Steele is a pesky guard that constantly jumps passing lanes around the arc. With his high socks tubed to the knees, Steele is savvy and quick. The team gets some fastbreak layups off of his steals and deflections thanks to his speed and composure in transition.

There was no bigger upset in Class A last week than KA over Clay County. Clay County, a program familiar with State Tournament appearances (2022, 2021, 2020, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2011, 2006, 1986, 1985, 1984), was considered worthy of yet another deep playoff push.

For Knowledge Academies, Carson Badgett Carson Badgett 6'4" | PG Knowledge Academies | 2023 State TN is the premiere scoring threat. Carson earns his way to the free throw line constantly. Acrobatic.

Point guard Kevin Sehasat Kevin Sehasat 5'11" | PG Knowledge Academies | 2024 State TN plays with speed, though he can get himself into trouble by jumping to pass. Sehasat will be a fringe NAIA-prospect by this time next year, though he needs to tighten his handle up a good amount.

The teams weakness is unequivocally outside shooting.

Knowledge Academies Roster
Carson Badgett Carson Badgett 6'4" | PG Knowledge Academies | 2023 State TN 14.8 ppg
Kevin Sehasat Kevin Sehasat 5'11" | PG Knowledge Academies | 2024 State TN (2024) 8.2 ppg
Cameron Dixon 10.8 ppg
Sylvanius Cole IV (2025) 6.9 ppg
Chris Aveary (2025) 6.7 ppg
Travis Campbell (2026) 5.6 ppg

Jo Byrns (1) vs. Pickett County (2)

Pickett County was a featured team two weeks ago.

District 7A Tournament Preview - Prep Hoops

“ Jacob Amonett Jacob Amonett 6'0" | PG Pickett County | 2025 State TN has expanded his role. Eli Reagan Eli Reagan 5'10" | PG Pickett County | 2025 State TN finished 2nd team all conference. Those two sophomores have played like seniors for us.”

“Caden Miller, Gage Harris, Kaiden Thomas…They stepped up.”

Have any players done anything unexpected? “Gage has averaged, about 10, barely played any last year. Never played as a junior. Hit 50 3's. Small kid. Only about 5'8″, but he plays bigger than that.”

Pickett County Head Coach Joseph Amonett

Bluntly, the Red Devils of Jo Byrns High are a team never mentioned all season within these pages. We will learn about them together.

Jo Byrns Roster
#2 Kelan Clardy
#3 PG *
#4 PG Ryan Dowlen*
#10 Seth Snyder
#12 Preston van Dyke
#13 C Kenny Tolliver*
#15 *
#20 F *
#23 Jacob Miller

Kenny Tolliver is a player with a thin, 6-foot-3 body. Though tall, he is able to make decent decisions passing. Facing a trapping MLK, a team with elite speed, Tolliver was manageable as a passer over the press. He did not, and should not, dribble against the press, but he showed soft enough hands and composure to complete probing, press-decimating passes.

On a very, very short team, Tolliver is the tallest player, but plays better as a guard. Fortunately for Jo Byrns High, Pickett County is also a very small team, height-wise.

Who will win tomorrow night?
— Prep Hoops Tennessee (@PrepHoopsTN) February 28, 2023

Jacob Miller is a scrappy, intense scorer and passer for the Red Devils.

Kelan Clardy rebounds with the same explosiveness and strength as Elijah Groves Elijah Groves 6'4" | SF East Robertson (football) | 2024 State TN . They are different players, but the rebounding tenacity and success is similar. Clardy is also capable of spearheading a 1-2-2 halfcourt press with vigor.