Girls basketball all-state teams honored by TSWA

April 19, 2024 Forrest Freeman

NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Sports Writers Association announced all-state teams for girls basketball Friday, including four classes in Division I and two classes in Division II.

Class 4A
Carrington Jones, Bartlett, Sr.
Natalya Hodge, Bearden, So.
Kimora Fields, Bradley Central, So.
Harmonie Ware, Bradley Central, Jr.
Ella Ryan, Brentwood, Jr.
Imari Berry, Clarksville, Sr.
Lauren Hurst, Cleveland, Jr.
Olivia Vinson, Coffee County, Jr.
Carlyn Burdette, Collierville, Sr.
Kyleigh Bacon, Daniel Boone, Sr.
Caroline Hill, Dobyns-Bennett, Sr.
K.J. McNealy, Farragut, So.
Abby Bryan, Lincoln County, Jr.
Torri James, Rossview, Sr.
Cybil Penland, Sevier County, Jr.

Class 3A
Jariyah Williamson, Chester County, Sr.
Karmine Carmichael, Cocke County, Fr.
Aaliyah Story, David Crockett, So.
Joya Crawford, Dyersburg, Jr.
Kyla Jobe, Greeneville, Jr.
Amare’ Boothe, Hamilton, So.
Carsyn Swaney, Heritage, Jr.
Jaidynn Askins, Jackson South Side, Jr.
Ellie Butler, Livingston Academy, Jr.
Addison Melton, Central Magnet, Sr.
Carlee Lowry, Signal Mountain, Jr.
Hallie Allen, South Gibson, Sr.
Izzy McPherson, Sycamore, Sr.
Taylor Dolente, Upperman, So.
Celeste Reed, White County, Sr.

Class 2A
Amelia Pfeiffer, Alcoa, Sr.
Maddy Newman, Gatlinburg-Pittman, Sr.
Micah Hart, Gibson County, Sr.
Lilly Kee, Huntingdon, Sr.
Ally Weathers, Loretto, Jr.
Karina Bystry, McMinn Central, Jr.
Molly Masingale, McMinn Central, Sr.
Erianna Thomas, Pearl-Cohn, Sr.
Jayla Davenport, Riverside, Sr.
Julie Hampton, Scotts Hill, Jr.
Curtlyn Lee, Sequatchie County, Jr.
Merissa Spivey, Smith County, Sr.
Shelby Gray, Trezevant, Jr.
McCall Sims, Westview, Jr.
Reese Beaty, York Institute, Jr.

Class 1A
Halle Buford, Clay County, Sr.
Saharra McKinney, Cloudland, Sr.
Isabella Sawyer, Eagleville, Sr.
Allye Pennington, East Robertson, Fr.
Autumn Mingle, Gleason, Sr.
Rayanna Fisher, Greenfield, Fr.
Savannah Davis, McKenzie, Sr.
Harmony Bell, Middleton, So.
Kyleigh Cawood, Midway, So.
Ellie Graham, Moore County, Jr.
Haley Bailey, North Greene, Sr.
Zoey Nicholas, Pickett County, So.
Shelby Higgins, Richland, Jr.
Maddie Gray, South Fulton, Jr.
Blair Baugus, Wayne County, Jr.

Division II-A
Sarah Peyton Durham, Boyd Buchanan, Jr.
Maddie Braden, Christian Academy of Knoxville, Fr.
Skylar Walden, The King's Academy, Fr.
La'Zavonia Hawkins, Goodpasture Christian, Jr.
Natalie Kaye, Grace Christian Academy-Franklin, Sr.
Kami Wilson, Lakeway Christian, Jr.
Anna Clay Shirley, Middle Tennessee Christian, So.
Kinley Painter, Providence Academy, Jr.
Daisy Gale, Providence Christian, Sr.
Kelsie Johnson, Silverdale Baptist, Sr.
Aaliyah Converse, St. George’s, Sr.
Haylen Ayers, University School of Jackson, Fr.

Division II-AA
Riley Oleksik, Baylor School, Sr.
Kamora Moore, Chattanooga Christian, 8th grade
Aubriyana Camp, Chattanooga Christian, Fr.
Lily Morrow, Christ Presbyterian Academy, So.
Izzy Gavigan, Father Ryan, Sr.
Ava Krumwiede, Harpeth Hall, Jr.
Tyler Jones, Hutchison, Jr.
Sydney Mains, Knox Catholic, Sr.
Amaya Redd, Knox Catholic, Jr.
Meeyah Green, Knox Webb, So.
Bella Shepherd, Lipscomb Academy, So.
Dasha Biriuk, Webb School-Bell Buckle, Jr.

TSWA announces boys basketball all-state teams

April 18, 2024 Forrest Freeman

NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Sports Writers Association announced all-state teams for boys basketball Thursday, including four classes in Division I and two classes in Division II.

CLASS 4A
Caden Windle, William Blount, Sr.
Kyle Cloninger, Morristown East, Sr.
K.J. Tenner, Cordova, Sr.
Christian Alston, Bartlett, Sr.
R’Chaun King, Bartlett, Sr.
Jett Montgomery, Independence, Sr.
Tylan Lewis, Independence, Jr.
Tyrese Stovall, Bradley Central, Jr.
Jacob Edwards, Rossview, Sr.
Christian Brown, Franklin, Jr.
Daniel Cochran, Brentwood, Sr.
Carter Webb, Siegel, Jr.
Landon Bryant, LaVergne, Jr.
Cortez Graham-Howard, Hillsboro, Jr.
Josh Heard, Cookeville, Sr.

CLASS 3A
Tyler Lee, Knox Fulton, Sr.
Taj Kimber, Knox Fulton, Sr.
Denaj Kimber, Knox Fulton, Sr.
Trey Thompson, Greeneville, So.
Cade Capps, Stone Memorial, Jr.
Brian Carter, Ridgeway, Sr.
Ty Cobb, Upperman, Fr.
Murray Norman, Munford, Sr.
Mason Brown, Central Magnet, Sr.
Colin Brown, Tennessee High, Jr.
Jeremiah Hayes, Fayette-Ware, Sr.
Anthony Bonner, Red Bank, Sr.
Michael Nwoye, Hume-Fogg, Jr.
Tracy Jones, Bolivar, Sr.
Hasani Jackson, East Ridge, Jr.

CLASS 2A
Jahvin Carter, Alcoa, Sr.
Ty Glasper, Gatlinburg-Pittman, Jr.
Shane Cherry, Austin-East, Jr.
TaQuez Butler, Douglass, Jr.
Jarmon Brittman, Douglass, Jr.
Ayden Melton, Camden, Jr.
Ja'Marion Whitelow, Ripley, Sr.
Ja'Marcus Whitelow, Ripley, Sr.
Rodney Henderson, Tyner, Jr.
Christian Derry, Chuckey-Doak, Sr.
Cooper Kelley, South Greene, Sr.
Avery Coles, White House-Heritage, So.
Cooper Abner, Westmoreland, Sr.
Ashton Munson, Brainerd, Sr.
Grayson Burleson, Summertown, Jr.

CLASS 1A
Jordan McCullum, Harriman, Sr.
Malaki Brooks, Union City, Sr.
Jordan Allen, Hillcrest, Sr.
Carson Bolton, Jellico, Sr.
Ty Pryor, Rockwood, Sr.
Auden Slaughter, Santa Fe, Jr.
Jason Britton, North Greene, Sr.
Aiden Dicus, Frank Hughes, Jr.
Derrick Roberson, Chattanooga Prep, So.
Eli Gaines, Chattanooga Prep, Jr.
A.J. Murphy, University School-Johnson City, Sr.
Stephon Shivers, Humboldt, Jr.
Elijah Groves, East Robertson, Sr.
Sam Willoughby, Fayetteville, Jr.
Jacob Amonett, Pickett County, Jr.

DIVISION II-A
Cello Jackson, First Assembly Christian School, So.
M.J. Hayes, First Assembly Christian School, So.
Tyler Jones, Evangelical Christian, Jr.
Jeremy Jackson, Columbia Academy, Jr.
Judson Bjornstad, Providence Christian, Sr.
Preston Wade, Providence Christian, Jr.
Ayden Shaw, Jackson Christian, Sr.
Kavien Jones, Battle Ground Academy, Sr.
Jayden Jones, Goodpasture Christian, Jr.
Kennedy Okpara, Silverdale Baptist, Jr.
Trae Rideau, Clarksville Academy, Jr.
Gaas Herman, Notre Dame, Jr.

DIVISION II-AA
Tyler Tanner, Brentwood Academy, Sr.
Jaylen Pompey, Knox Webb, Jr.
Cooper Haynes, Briarcrest Christian, Sr.
Fred Smith, Briarcrest Christian, So.
Keeper Jackson, Christian Brothers, So.
Fred Bailey, Pope Prep, Sr.
Dre Jackson, Chattanooga Christian, Sr.
Cam Blivens, Lipscomb Academy, So.
Trey Pearson, Pope Prep, So.
Nyziah Whaley, Baylor School, Sr.
Drake Ingram, Knox Webb, Sr.
Kenneth Chime, McCallie School, Sr.

College players of the week recognized - April 16

April 16, 2024 Forrest Freeman

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Lipscomb freshman Jacob Tobias had a big week as he helped lead the Bisons to a series win over North Florida, using strong offensive production to garner this week’s Tennessee Sports Writers Association Baseball Player of the Week honor.

Tobias, an outfielder from Birmingham, batted 7-for-16 on the week, collecting 13 total RBI – including seven in Saturday’s victory over the Ospreys. Tobias batted 3-for-6 in the game as he drove in one with a ground out to short in the third, a grand slam in the sixth, then had a two-run single in the seventh in Lipscomb’s 21-7 victory.

On the hill, Tennessee Tech pitcher Landon Smiddy earned the Pitcher of the Week award as he threw the Golden Eagles’ first nine-inning, complete-game shutout since 2018 as Tech blanked Ohio Valley Conference foe Lindenwood.

The senior from Knoxville struck out 10 batters while allowing three hits and five walks, working his way out of a couple of mid-game jams before going into cruise control. He allowed one hit to the Lions from the second out in the first inning until the leadoff batter in the eighth.

On the softball side, Belmont sophomore shortstop Nicole Hughes made an impact in the three-game set as she collected eight hits and three runs in only 10 at-bats for an .800 clip. The big game came Sunday as she went 4-for-4 with a triple, a double and two runs scored. She ended the weekend with an .833 on-base mark and a 1.100 slugging percentage.

In the circle, Lane College sophomore pitcher Jersey Cabana was fantastic this week as she threw three complete game shutouts on the week for a flawless 0.00 earned run average. She allowed nine hits and walked one while striking out 17. Her opponents hit .155 against her for the week. Cabana improved to 15-4 on the season.

BASEBALL
2/20 | Player: John Bay (Austin Peay); Pitcher: Peyton Calitri (Tennessee Tech)
2/27 | Player: Hayden Gilliland (Tennessee Tech); Pitcher: Andrew Devine (Austin Peay)
3/5 | Player: Camden Kozeal (Vanderbilt); Pitcher: Will Pryor (Belmont)
3/12 | Player: Tanner Shiver (Tennessee Tech); Pitcher: Devin Futrell (Vanderbilt)
3/19 | Player: Harrison Travis (Carson-Newman); Pitcher: Noah Toney (Union)
3/26 | Player: Cam Suto (Lee); Pitcher: Chandler Alderman (Middle Tennessee)
4/2 | Player: Dylan Dreiling (Tennessee); Pitcher: Bryce Cunningham (Vanderbilt)
4/9 | Player: Brody Szako (Austin Peay); Pitcher: Peyton Calitri (Tennessee Tech)
4/16 | Player: Jacob Tobias (Lipscomb); Pitcher: Landon Smiddy (Tennessee Tech)

SOFTBALL
2/20 | Player: Olivia Lipari (Chattanooga); Pitcher: Ashlan Sensing (Trevecca)
2/27 | Player: Zoey Neal (Union); Pitcher: Lainey Baker (Union)
3/5 | Player: Hayden Dye (Carson-Newman); Pitcher: Taylor Long (Chattanooga)
3/12 | Player: Brooke Matyasovsky (Carson-Newman); Pitcher: Ashlan Sensing (Trevecca)
3/19 | Player: Kendall Andrews (Trevecca); Pitcher: Caitlyn Manus (Tennessee State)
3/26 | Player: Kendall Andrews (Trevecca); Pitcher: Taylor Long (Chattanooga)
4/2 | Player: Kailey Snell (Chattanooga); Pitcher: Lainey Baker (Union)
4/9 | Player: Sydney McCormick (Trevecca); Pitcher: Ashlan Sensing (Trevecca)
4/16 | Player: Nicole Hughes (Belmont); Pitcher: Jersey Cabana (Lane College)

TSWA announces college players of the week - April 9

April 10, 2024 Forrest Freeman

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Austin Peay senior infielder Brody Szako was knocking them out of the park this week as the Bellville, Texas, native slammed four home runs this past week, helping earn him this week’s Tennessee Sports Writers Association Baseball Player of the Week honor.

Szako hit homers in back-to-back at-bats at Evansville, then hit one in each of the Governors’ victories against Bellamine. He also had the walk-off single to seal a second run-rule victory over the Knights for the Atlantic Sun series win.

For the week, Szako batted .471 with eight hit in 17 at-bats. He also had nine total RBI for the week with a 1.235 slugging percentage and a .474 on-base mark. Szako won the ASUN player of the week honor.

On the hill, Tennessee Tech hurler Peyton Calitri took the mound facing one of the top offenses in the Division I in Morehead State and put the Golden Eagles on his back as he delivered a dominant outing to earn the TSWA’s Pitcher of the Week award.

The Collierville, Tenn., native threw eight shutout innings, allowing three hits and a walk, striking out 10 Morehead batters en route to his fifth win of the season. All three hits were singles and one batter reached second in the outing.

In softball, both honors went to Trevecca as senior first baseman Sydney McCormick and junior pitcher Ashlan Sensing helped the Trojans go 4-0 last week, improving to 14-2 in Great Midwest play.

McCormick, from Watertown, Tenn., hit .545 (6-for-11) on the week with a double and two home runs. She drove in five and scored four runs. She ended the week with a 1.182 slugging percentage and a .615 on-base mark.

Sensing, from Dickson, Tenn., went 2-0 for the week, collecting a perfect 0.00 ERA. She struck out 16 batters in 12 innings of work with two complete games and a shutout. Sensing walked just one batter across the 12 frames, allowing only four hits as her opponents hit .100 against her.

College players of the week named by TSWA - April 2

April 2, 2024 Forrest Freeman

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee sophomore outfielder Dylan Dreiling had a big week at the plate as he helped lead the Volunteers to a series win over No. 22 Georgia, leading to a selection as the Tennessee Sports Writers Association’s Baseball Player of the Week.

In all, the Hays, Kan., native hit .545 on the week with six hits in 11 at-bats, collecting five of those for extra bases with three doubles and two home runs. He also had two walks, seven RBI and came home to score five times. Dreiling was also 1-for-1 on stolen bases.

In Saturday’s 16-11 win over the Bulldogs, he hit a three-run home run and a grand slam for his first multi-homer game and a career-high seven RBI, helping the Vols erase a four-run deficit in the fifth inning. He had three base hits, a walk, and two runs scored in Sunday’s 7-0 win to take the series.

On the bump, the pitching award stayed in the Southeastern Conference as Vanderbilt junior righty Bryce Cunningham recorded a career-high 12 strikeouts on Friday night in a victory over Missouri. Cunningham yielded just three baserunners on the night over seven scoreless innings in a one-hit effort on the way to his fourth win of the season.

The junior from Headland, Ala., threw 99 pitches in the game as he allowed the base hit in the third inning. He improved to 4-1 on the season.

On the softball diamond, East Tennessee State could not find a way to retire Chattanooga shortstop Kailey Snell as the Shelbyville product batted an astonishing .900 at the plate for the week as the leadoff, helping lead the Mocs to a sweep over the Bucs. She drove in three and scored six times, while also stealing four bases.

In the opener, Snell went 3-for-4, then 3-for-3 in game two and 3-for-3 in the finale.

In the circle, Union sophomore pitcher Lainey Baker threw a complete game shutout in the Bulldogs’ 3-0 victory over Henderson State for her eighth victory of the season. The Cartersville, Ga., struck out seven and allowed just one hit in the contest.

Baker was five outs away from a perfect game after retiring 16 straight, but hit a batter in the bottom of the sixth, then allowed a lead-off single in the bottom of the seventh.