Hungry and blessed: Fayette Ware has set a standard

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>What Fayette Ware has accomplished in the last four seasons under its head coach Demarius Chearis wasn't a fluke.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Making the TSSAA Division 1 Class 3A Boys State Tournament 3 out of the last 4 years is a success in itself.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Wildcats have had this success because they were hungry to get there. Fayette Ware has been starving for its first state title game appearance in school history. The Wildcats got close this year, falling to Tullahoma by the final score of 67-58 in the semifinals round.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As for the seniors, this shouldn't be looked upon as a failure. Sure, a Class 3A state title would have been the icing on the cake. It would have been the gift that would have symbolized the hard work they put into a long season. But, there are things for the seniors [player_tooltip player_id='1927473' first='Tarecous' last='Stevens'], [player_tooltip player_id='1321569' first='Tacarien' last='Freeman'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1572498' first='Quaylan' last='Hampton'] to hang their hats on.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>First, other teams in Class 3A understand the assignment of facing Fayette Ware. Teams have to be mentally and physically tough for 32 minutes. Teams have to be prepared to endure full-court pressure all game long. Lastly, teams have to be prepared for Fayette Ware to keep coming after every punch thrown its way.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Wildcats will not lay down, especially while Chearis is at the helm.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>”Hungry,” the word Chearis used to describe his seniors. “They have always been hungry. You get a kid like Freeman. I think he has 103, 104 high school wins. He (Stevens) started playing his sophomore year. Thin frame, but he's always one of the hardest workers on the floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>”They're always hungry to get the job done.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Fayette Ware didn't give up and fold. It got down 22-9 in the first quarter, but rallied to get within 6 at halftime. Twice in the second half the Wildcats were down 7 but that was the closest the team would get. Fayette Ware battled back after a lackluster first quarter performance, while Stevens had to watch from the bench for most of the first half due to picking up three fouls.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Wildcats were in it because of their defense limiting Tullahoma Wildcats senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='2816168' first='Xavier' last='Farrell'] to 3 for 9 shooting in the first half. Fayette Ware was in it because of its fight and determination. A deficit, big or small, will never stop the Wildcats from playing hard and competing.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>”One word, when we look at it, for these guys is hungry, but I also have to say blessed,” Chearis said. “We pray before every practice, before every game, after every practice and after every game. This season was a blessing for us. We didn't get the gold like we set forward.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>”That was our major and final goal, but I'm proud of these guys, man. They never quit. They never stopped.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Stevens, Hampton, and Freeman set the standard for Fayette Ware basketball. With those three now officially done, the Wildcats will depend on a young flock of guys to keep the train going. [player_tooltip player_id='2796643' first='Kylon' last='Terry'], a 6-foot-1 guard, had good moments as a freshman. He's a very good on-ball defender. Freshman [player_tooltip player_id='2805504' first='Cash' last='Williams'] will see an increased role next season. Sophomore guards [player_tooltip player_id='2283267' first='Elijah' last='Lowe'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2283273' first='Hunter' last='Malena'] can make shots and will need to do so in 2025. Juniors <strong>JaCorey Stanle</strong>y and <strong>Christopher Ransom</strong> will need to provide leadership on the court next season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Thanks to the success in the last four seasons, the expectations are high. Just winning district regular season and tournament titles will not be enough to celebrate and satisfy the masses in Fayette County. The entire community is patiently waiting for a gold ball to arrive for the first time. Chearis knows that. His players know that.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There's still work left to be done, but the Wildcats are built for it.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->