Pope Prep: Knights can strike quickly

Pope John Paul II was staring at a 54-44 deficit in the third quarter to Briarcrest, the team that defeated the Knights in the semifinals round of the TSSAA Division II-AA Boys' State Tournament a season ago. This time around, both programs were playing one another in the Battle for Nashville Championship game. And once again, it looked as if the Saints were going to outlast Pope Prep in a primetime matchup. But, the Knights came with different plans. They picked up the intensity on the defensive end, sped Briarcrest up on offense, leading to turnovers. Junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1578715' first='Osby' last='Cavin'] converted on a 3-point play. Then he followed with a deep 3 from the right wing following a steal by junior point guard [player_tooltip player_id='1560719' first='Trey' last='Pearson']. The Knights took their first lead of the second half off a 3 by Jack Valentine. At that moment, Pope Prep led 64-63. The program showed its competitive edge. It showed its willingness to keep battling. It showed the heart of a champion. Most importantly, the Knights showed that they can strike quickly. “Anything can get us going, defensively and offensively,” said Cavin, who finished with 17 points. “I don't really see a flaw that can stop us from scoring the ball or getting home defensively.” In the final four minutes of the contest, Pearson scored 6 of the team's final 8 points, including the game-winning layup with 4.4 seconds to go for the 72-70 finale. It's Pearson's third game back from a foot injury that forced him to miss the team's first 13 games of the 2024 season. The 6-foot-2 point guard played huge minutes in this contest, getting crucial stops, while also scoring important baskets. Pearson put on his Superman cape when Pope Prep needed him to do so. “I was very surprised,” Cavin quickly said about Pearson, who led the team with 23 points and was crowned MVP of the tournament. “I thought he was going to ease into the game. But he just came right back. I love playing with him.” The Knights are expected to be playing for a DII-AA state title in Cookeville, Tennessee by season's end. Well, the roster is good enough for them to win it. Pope Prep has a solid collection of players. Senior forward [player_tooltip player_id='1498844' first='Kamden' last='Days'] is versatile, can play on the perimeter and on the block. Junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1508978' first='Jarron' last='Talley'] is a respected ball handler, defender, and scorer. Pearson and Cavin both have ice in their veins. Sophomore guard [player_tooltip player_id='2236659' first='Anthony' last='Wiggins'] is a really good two-way player. Add in Valentine with his shooting, and the Knights have more-than-enough Swiss Army knives to slice through any competition remaining on their schedule. “I think this team is the best in the state. I don't think there's a team in the state that can guard us. This team is really special. I'm excited to be a part of it.”   All-Tournament Team   [player_tooltip player_id='2249601' first='Lawson' last='Gillespie'] (Battle Ground Academy), [player_tooltip player_id='2612100' first='Jeromy' last='Davis Jr.'] (Brentwood Academy), [player_tooltip player_id='1498078' first='Jax' last='Howard'] (The Webb School), [player_tooltip player_id='1318557' first='Tylan' last='Lewis'] (Independence), [player_tooltip player_id='1259398' first='Michael' last='Nwoye'] (Hume-Fogg), [player_tooltip player_id='1760996' first='Fred' last='Smith'] (Briarcrest), and Days were named to the Battle for Nashville All-Tournament Team.

Pope John Paul II was staring at a 54-44 deficit in the third quarter to Briarcrest, the team that defeated the Knights in the semifinals round of the TSSAA Division II-AA Boys' State Tournament a season ago.

This time around, both programs were playing one another in the Battle for Nashville Championship game. And once again, it looked as if the Saints were going to outlast Pope Prep in a primetime matchup.

But, the Knights came with different plans. They picked up the intensity on the defensive end, sped Briarcrest up on offense, leading to turnovers.

Junior guard Osby Cavin Osby Cavin 6'3" | SG John Paul II | 2026 State TN converted on a 3-point play. Then he followed with a deep 3 from the right wing following a steal by junior point guard Trey Pearson Trey Pearson 6'2" | PG John Paul II | 2026 State TN . The Knights took their first lead of the second half off a 3 by Jack Valentine.

At that moment, Pope Prep led 64-63. The program showed its competitive edge. It showed its willingness to keep battling. It showed the heart of a champion.

Most importantly, the Knights showed that they can strike quickly.

“Anything can get us going, defensively and offensively,” said Cavin, who finished with 17 points. “I don't really see a flaw that can stop us from scoring the ball or getting home defensively.”

In the final four minutes of the contest, Pearson scored 6 of the team's final 8 points, including the game-winning layup with 4.4 seconds to go for the 72-70 finale. It's Pearson's third game back from a foot injury that forced him to miss the team's first 13 games of the 2024 season.

The 6-foot-2 point guard played huge minutes in this contest, getting crucial stops, while also scoring important baskets. Pearson put on his Superman cape when Pope Prep needed him to do so.

“I was very surprised,” Cavin quickly said about Pearson, who led the team with 23 points and was crowned MVP of the tournament. “I thought he was going to ease into the game. But he just came right back. I love playing with him.”

The Knights are expected to be playing for a DII-AA state title in Cookeville, Tennessee by season's end. Well, the roster is good enough for them to win it. Pope Prep has a solid collection of players. Senior forward Kamden Days Kamden Days 6'7" | SF John Paul II | 2025 State TN is versatile, can play on the perimeter and on the block. Junior guard Jarron Talley Jarron Talley 6'4" | SG Hamilton Heights Christian Academy | 2026 State TN is a respected ball handler, defender, and scorer. Pearson and Cavin both have ice in their veins. Sophomore guard Anthony Wiggins Anthony Wiggins 6'0" | PG John Paul II | 2027 State TN is a really good two-way player.

Add in Valentine with his shooting, and the Knights have more-than-enough Swiss Army knives to slice through any competition remaining on their schedule.

“I think this team is the best in the state. I don't think there's a team in the state that can guard us. This team is really special. I'm excited to be a part of it.”