Championship Contenders: Teams to Watch This Season

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Championship Contenders: Teams to Watch This Season</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Oak Ridge (Last Season: 7A, 27-5)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Pioneers are back in the championship conversation after a deep playoff run last year. With a roster filled with experienced seniors, Oak Ridge is poised to make another strong push under Head Coach Steve Reece. This team combines talent and depth, making them a tough matchup for any opponent.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Players to Watch:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>• <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1301787' first='Jalen' last='Reece']</strong>: A key returning guard and the team's second-leading scorer from last season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>• <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1301713' first='Jamier' last='Jones']</strong>: Last year's scoring leader and the team's top offensive weapon.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>• <strong>Tim Winkler</strong>: A 6-10 center who anchors the paint and stretches the floor with his shooting.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>• <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2532299' first='Maddox' last='Harden']</strong>: A 6-8 versatile forward who has taken major strides this offseason.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>St. Thomas Aquinas (Last Season: 6A, 21-7)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Raiders are hungry for their first state title since 2001 after last season's near miss. This year, they bring back a more seasoned squad with a mix of size, skill, and leadership. Head Coach Julius Sandi has the pieces to make a serious postseason push.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Players to Watch:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>• <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1660055' first='Drake' last='Sandi']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1301736' first='Dwayne' last='Wimbley'] Jr.</strong>: The team's leading scorers and offensive catalysts.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>• <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2294524' first='Clarence' last='Westbrook'] Jr.</strong>: A promising sophomore combo guard who provides scoring and playmaking.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>• <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2299661' first='Zane' last='Elliott']</strong>: A 6-6 forward with a strong inside presence.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>• <strong>Mark Matthews</strong>: A 6-7 center who dominates in the paint.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Blake (Last Season: 5A, 26-6)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Yellow Jackets made history last year, reaching their first-ever state championship game. With several returning stars, Blake is eager to build on that momentum and make another deep postseason run under Head Coach Frederick Lewis.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Players to Watch:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>• <strong>Jojo Philo</strong>: A rising 6-7 junior guard expected to take his game to the next level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>• <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1301754' first='Joshua' last='Lewis']</strong>: Another 6-7 junior who provides versatility on both ends of the floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>• <strong>Jason Johnson</strong>: A 6-6 senior with proven scoring ability.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>• <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2554839' first='Jordan' last='Mickens']</strong>: A senior guard who brings energy and production to the lineup.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->