The Top 10 Teams
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PICTURED: Jahvin Carter Jahvin Carter 6'2" | PG Alcoa | 2024 State #214 Nation TN (Alcoa)
Which 2A team will win state? Peruse the Top 10 in Class 2A.
1 – Douglass
Douglass’ entire 2022-2023 season ended abruptly March 18th. Alcoa’s Jahvin Carter Jahvin Carter 6'2" | PG Alcoa | 2024 State #214 Nation TN , Brandon Winton Brandon Winton 6'2" | PG Alcoa (football) | 2025 TN , and friends bested the Red Devils by a single point, 59-58. In so doing Alcoa ended Douglass’ 19-game winning streak! Almost everybody is back and hungry as ever.
Experience is imperative to postseason success and Douglass boasts plenty. The system employed by Head Coach Gregory Williams remains constant and effective at the 2A level. Few teams can handle the persistent pressure, the heat applied by the Red Devils.
Taquez Butler Taquez Butler 6'3" | SG Douglass | 2025 State TN (Mr. Basketball Candidate) exploded onto the state scene in February and March with fantastic games displaying lofty potential. His PrepHoopsTN ranking appropriately rose.
@PrepHoopsTN Team PreviewJarmon Brittman Jarmon Brittman 6'2" | SF Douglass | 2025 State TN will constantly rebound, even occasionally collecting 10+. An undersized four-man, Brittman possesses impressive strength and timing. Joshua Thompson Joshua Thompson 6'5" | SF Douglass | 2024 State TN will also continue to earn second bites of the apple for his offensive teammates. A solid rebounder, Thompson scores a good bit too.
Taquez Butler Taquez Butler 6'3" | SG Douglass | 2025 State TN (Douglass)
2 – Gatlinburg-Pittman
Ty Glasper Ty Glasper 6'1" | PG Gatlinburg-Pittman | 2025 State TN demands you pay attention, but the team is better than a single man. In fact, they are better than their top two (Glasper, Carlos Orr Carlos Orr 6'3" | SG Gatlinburg-Pittman (football) | 2024 State TN ). The Highlanders only loss is to Fulton, the team that did and will likely win the 3A State Championship.
3 – Alcoa
I have some hesitation about ranking Alcoa so high considering they have three losses. They did win the title last season. They still have Jahvin Carter Jahvin Carter 6'2" | PG Alcoa | 2024 State #214 Nation TN . The supporting cast is coming along. Surely they are better than 4-3?
4 – Tyner Academy
Good team quickness. Rodney Henderson Rodney Henderson 6'1" | PG Tyner Academy | 2025 State TN III leads a talented team. The lefty scorer continues to evolve into a playmaking point guard. His AAU coach loved his character and skills.
5 – Cannon County
Seniors Demaurion Locke and Theo Winters Theo Winters 5'11" | PF Cannon County | 2024 State TN are the team’s best.
Like Douglass High, Cannon County is 5-0. The Lions own wins over Wayne County, Whitwell, White County, F.C. Boyd, and Rockvale. That Rockvale win might be the most convincing, 60-46.
6 – East Nashville
The Eagles of East Nashville are extremely young. Six of their eight prominent varsity players are sophomores. Head Coach Avery Patton was not even certain who his go-to guys would be as late as August. The team will be fine as they grow together, but the early loss to Cane Ridge shows what a difference a year makes. Last fall Jaylen Jones and East Nashville crushed the Ravens after Brandon Miller’s graduation. The Ravens returned the favor, to a lesser degree.
7 – Camden Central
Check out Ayden Shelton if you get an opportunity. The combo guard is now a veteran entering his junior season after starting alongside a strong ’23 class last winter. Proud program history.
8 – Austin-East
Shane Cherry Shane Cherry 5'9" | PG Austin-East | 2025 State #353 Nation TN is magical. His defensive commitment must improve and yet there is not a more difficult defensive assignment than ‘guard Shane Cherry Shane Cherry 5'9" | PG Austin-East | 2025 State #353 Nation TN .’ Blazingly fast, bouncy, clever, explosive. Cherry is the entire offensive package. His outside shooting is a touch better than last year.
9 – Westmoreland
An undefeated Westmoreland team looks like the surprise of 2A. The Abner family is changing the culture.
10 – Sweetwater
Watched Sweetwater beat Sequoyah and they are hardly a finished product. The team is 3-1 and runs out a scorer in Chris Alford Chris Alford 6'3" | SG Sweetwater | 2024 State TN . It will take some doing to remain in the Top 10 for this team though.