Way Too Early Best Returners in D1-3A
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The season ended. Class 3A Fulton captured the golden ball. What is next? Who is next? Today, the periscope focuses purely on D1-3A and the Best Returners. David Crockett High drops down from 4A, where they struggled this year (9-15).…
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Continue ReadingThe season ended. Class 3A Fulton captured the golden ball. What is next? Who is next?
Today, the periscope focuses purely on D1-3A and the Best Returners.
David Crockett High drops down from 4A, where they struggled this year (9-15).
Teams Included
David Crockett*
Elizabethton
Sullivan East*
Tennessee*
Unicoi County*
Colin Beason Colin Beason 6'3" | SF David Crockett | 2024 State TN (2024) – David Crockett
Colin Beason Colin Beason 6'3" | SF David Crockett | 2024 State TN is good enough to record a double-double multiple times a month. His senior year might just include a District MVP honor, if there is another leap in his development.
Corbin Laisure (2025) – Sulivan East
Also a football player, Corbin Laisure rebounded at an elite level, rivaling outgoing Unicoi County rebounder Lucas Slagle Lucas Slagle 6'5" | PF Unicoi County (football) | 2023 State TN . Corbin averaged around 12 rebounds per as a sophomore!
Colin Brown Colin Brown 6'1" | PG Tennessee | 2025 State TN (2025) – Tennessee
Colin Brown Colin Brown 6'1" | PG Tennessee | 2025 State TN loved to pass-first during his sophomore season. In fact, CB appeared to draw more joy from shots made off of his assists than the times he scored directly. Facing Volunteer High School in late February, Colin hit two beautiful three-pointers in the first quarter with his left-hand held high after the release. Brown showed off an elusive handle against Volunteer. It probably ranks as average statewide, when considering the wonderful dribblers in Memphis and Nashville.
Bradley Gouge (2025) – David Crockett
Reagan Cash (2025) – David Crockett
Zander Phillips (2025) – Tennessee
Zander Phillips is a scrappy forward with a decently quick first-step. In late February he competed against a senior-laden Volunteer High team. An excitable player, Zander’s weakness is team defense. He was out of position more than once facing Volunteer High in the playoffs.
Jackson Simmons Jackson Simmons 5'11" | PG Unicoi County | 2026 State TN (2026) – Unicoi County
It was not the State Tournament Jackson Simmons Jackson Simmons 5'11" | PG Unicoi County | 2026 State TN wanted, and he underperformed his usual standard. The state line was poor: 3p, 4to, 2r, 1-6 FG. Simmons projects to be the best of the returnees. For the season, Jackson averaged 11.0 points per game and hit a remarkable 87% from the free throw line. Further, the matured game of Simmons featured 3.2 rpg, 3.9 apg, and 0.9 spg.
Drake Fisher (2024) – Sullivan East
Kolby Jones Kolby Jones 6'2" | SG Unicoi County | 2026 State TN (2026) – Unicoi County
One season, one State Tournament appearance. Kolby Jones Kolby Jones 6'2" | SG Unicoi County | 2026 State TN started and played 28 minutes in the loss to Haywood. Kolby really struggled to score, missing his only two three-point shots. The four rebounds Jones collected represented his largest contribution. During his freshman season Kolby made 88 field goals, averaging 6.8 ppg.
Mason Hensley (2024) – Unicoi County
In his State Tournament debut, Mason Hensley came off the bench to help with four points and two rebounds in 15 minutes. His squad did get blown out by Haywood, 63-43. Mason averaged 3.1 rebounds per during his junior season.