The Good DR, MVP Derrick Roberson Wins 3rd Chip; Alcoa Tops Too

Andrew Force March 21, 2026 @ 04:36 PM

Senior Joel Bulis Joel Bulis 6'7" | PF Chattanooga Prep | 2026 State TN finished with 10 points and 10 rebounds, while sophomore Tavion Foster Tavion Foster 6'2" | SG/SF Chattanooga Prep | 2028 State TN scored nine points on 3-7 shooting and helped with four blocks. Chattanooga Prep played their five starters 31.5 minutes each.

For Westview Miles Brown Miles Brown 6'2" | SG Westview | 2027 TN pumped in 17 points in defeat.

Alcoa Overtakes Fulton Late

In their first ever State Tournament matchup with 3A powerhouse Fulton, Alcoa closed the game on a 20-2 run. After battling severe foul trouble to Jay Kirk Jay Kirk 6'5" | SF Alcoa | 2027 State TN , Condis Cherry Condis Cherry 5'6" | PG Alcoa | 2027 State TN , and Jamir Dean Jamir Dean 6'3" | SG Alcoa | 2027 State TN the trio crushed the Fulton party plans.

"The momentum swung our way," said Jibriel Koko Jibriel Koko 6'2" | PG Alcoa | 2026 State TN .

Final: Alcoa defeats Fulton, 57-48, to win this season’s Class 3A state title.

Here’s the finish and celebration: pic.twitter.com/11eoYySHXS
— Courtney Asher Smith (@CourtneyHoops90) March 21, 2026

Why did Alcoa Head Coach Ryan Collins play Jamir Dean Jamir Dean 6'3" | SG Alcoa | 2027 State TN and Jay Kirk Jay Kirk 6'5" | SF Alcoa | 2027 State TN all through the second quarter despite their two fouls apiece?

"I don't think you win games with your best players on the sidelines," said Coach Collins. "I have always been a believer in having your horses on the floor."

Jay Kirk Jay Kirk 6'5" | SF Alcoa | 2027 State TN suffered his fourth foul with 6:37 to play in the fourth quarter. Dean picked up his fourth with nine minutes remaining.

"It was hard, but Coach told us to not give up and keep being aggressive with it," said Kirk at the postgame press conference.

"Of our nine guys, four sophomores and a freshman," said Fulton Head Coach Jody Wright. "I hope they take away how hard it is to get there. Other than Nick [Steen] and [Rejuan Womble] are the only two on this team that have been in this game. And this game is different."

The Fulton Standard

Fulton is a program that expects to win. A program that intends to come out with the Gold Ball. When it does not happen, players can be crushed.

"That goes back to the commitments" said Fulton Head Coach Jody Wright in retrospect. "The more you are involved the more it hurts. Most guys give in to fatigue. To the moment. But when you are committed to the process to a particular endeavor the rewards are astounding but also the pain when you don't accomplish your goal. I have said it before but there is never any shame finishing your season on Saturday in Murfreesboro."

Fulton High finished the season with a 26-10 record, winners of eight of their last nine games. Their first loss since February 17th came in the State Championship game.

Wright continued, "It is gonna hurt. If it didn't hurt, you kind of wonder what is going on?"

Fulton's Falcons are quite young, and Coach Wright acknowledged that he did not expect this tournament run in 2025-2026.

Fulton expects to be back in one year.