Opening Night Game Capsules

Andrew Force November 18, 2025 @ 06:39 PM

Hosting Morristown West Trojans )1-0) dropped successive three-pointers midway through the second quarter, enlarging the lead significantly to 30-16. Will DesGroseilliers and Julian Sexton Julian Sexton 5'9" | PG Morristown-Hamblen West | 2026 State TN each hit one of the three-pointers. Morristown West did not defend especially well, but scoring around 40 points in a half negates the importance of a stifling defense.

Anderson Noe Anderson Noe 6'4" | PF Morristown-Hamblen West | 2027 State TN was the springiest player on the court Tuesday night and likely the player with the best upside. He rebounded easily above the horde. Noe's shooting touch is not where it needs to be if he wants to play college wing.

Julian Sexton Julian Sexton 5'9" | PG Morristown-Hamblen West | 2026 State TN will be the steadying force for Morristown West. While he might not lead them in scoring often, Sexton's role remains important. He sets tempo and calms the bunch when needed. With just over two minutes left in the game Sexton lofted and made a 22' three-pointer soliciting some "oo's" from the fanbase.

Morristown West demonstrated that they are a high-energy, high effort team with quality depth. They certainly lack height and rebounding prowess beyond star forward Anderson Noe Anderson Noe 6'4" | PF Morristown-Hamblen West | 2027 State TN , so they must keep him on the floor against better opponents.

It was not a flawless night for Mo West and yet they convincingly routed Cherokee (0-1) setting the table for a nice start to their season.

Cherokee
#5 Landon Jeffers*
#10 Lofton Hayes*

Morristown West
#1 Joey Mihalko*
#2 Julian Sexton Julian Sexton 5'9" | PG Morristown-Hamblen West | 2026 State TN *
#3 TJ Walthall*
#4 Andy Fowler* PG
#5 Anderson Noe Anderson Noe 6'4" | PF Morristown-Hamblen West | 2027 State TN * PF/C
#10 Jake Bunch
#11 Will Desgroseilliers
#15 Jose Lopez
#21 Ryan Caldwell
#22 Jamere Williams
#24 Cole Fonk

Knoxville Catholic 87
Lakeway Christian 52

Catholic obliterated a decent Lakeway Christian team opening night. Numerous transfers into the program gave the Irish needed size. Malachi Brown Malachi Brown 6'5" | SG/SF Knoxville Catholic | 2026 State TN (Michigan signee), Travis Martin Travis Martin 6'3" | SG Knoxville Catholic | 2028 State TN , Jovis Erwan Jovis Erwan 6'4" | SF Knoxville Catholic | 2027 State TN , and Landon Lee Landon Lee 6'8" | PF Knoxville Catholic | 2027 State TN all joined. All four are 6-foot-2, or taller.

Knoxville Catholic is better coached than they have been in 2-3 years. They are better prepared and more difficult to defend.

Knoxville Catholic supercharged the game with fullcourt pressure, dashing out to a 24-18 first quarter finish. The Irish looked tremendous. The team played as a unit and gleefully passed upon the catch. Very unselfish play from top to the bottom of the roster.

Catholic guard Travis Martin Travis Martin 6'3" | SG Knoxville Catholic | 2028 State TN swung a pass to the wing where his teammate fed Jovis Erwan Jovis Erwan 6'4" | SF Knoxville Catholic | 2027 State TN on the near block. Jovis backed down and gathered eyeballs, which allowed Cade Murphy Cade Murphy 6'5" | SG Knoxville Catholic | 2026 State TN to dart unabated down the lane and receive a perfect bounce pass. Murphy will end his high school career in the spring as one of the school's greatest all-time scorers. That the unselfishness of Erwan set up a dominant hooper for a wide-open layup speaks to the potency of the entire team.