Insell, Jackson named TSWA women's basketball award winners

NASHVILLE – Middle Tennessee’s Rick Insell and Tennessee’s Rickea Jackson were named the Tennessee Sports Writers Association Women’s Basketball Coach and Player of the Year, respectively, for the 2023-24 season, as announced this week by the organization.

Insell earned the Pat Summitt Coach of the Year award, guiding the Blue Raiders to a 30-5 overall record, including a perfect 16-0 in Conference USA play, winning both the regular season and tournament titles. Middle Tennessee became the fourth team in CUSA history to cap an undefeated conference regular season and the second team in league history to sweep both titles while remaining unbeaten.

The squad put together a 20-game winning streak during the year, holding opponents to 55.5 points per game during the campaign, and posted an average margin of victory of 23.5 points in conference play.

The Blue Raiders reached the second round of the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2007, overcoming an 18-point deficit against Louisville in the first round in Baton Rouge, the fourth largest comeback in tournament history. Middle Tennessee led at the half in the second round against LSU before falling to the Tigers.

This marked the 17th season with 20-plus wins in 19 years for Insell leading the Blue Raiders and his second with 30-plus victories.

Jackson averaged 20.2 points and 8.2 rebounds per game, leading the SEC in scoring with the ninth-best single-season scoring average in UT history to earn First Team All-SEC and Honorable Mention All-America honors. She was a finalist for the Cheryl Miller Award and posted 29.5 points and 9.5 rebounds during two NCAA Tournament games.

The Detroit, Mich., native overcame an early-season leg injury to score in double figures 24 times in 25 games, including 13 contests with 20-plus points and two games with more than 30. She was selected No. 4 overall in the 2024 WNBA Draft.

Jackson is one of only six Lady Vols to average 20-plus points in a season along with Patricia Roberts (29.9), Chamique Holdsclaw (23.5, 21.3, 20.6), Cindy Brogdon (21.7, 20.1), Candace Parker (21.3) and Bridgette Gordon (20.8, 20.4). Her 19.6 points per game career average at UT ranks fourth all-time behind Roberts (29.9, 1976-77), Brogdon (20.8, 1977-79) and Holdsclaw (20.4, 1995-99) and just ahead of Parker (19.4).

College players of the week named - April 30

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – In a week where Austin Peay’s offense put together 63 runs and a 4-0 performance on the field, graduate outfielder Lyle Miller-Green paced the way, earning this week’s Tennessee Sports Writers Association’s Baseball Player of the Week honor.

Miller-Green, from Burke, Virginia, ended the week with a .500 performance as he went 7-for-14 at the plate, hitting five home runs, driving in 12 runs and scoring 11 times. He posted a .619 on-base percentage and a 1.714 slugging percentage.

The Atlantic Sun Conference Player of the Week, Miller-Green started the week off right as he hit three home runs and drove in seven runs. He hit a pair of two-run home runs in the first and second innings, a two-run triple in the fourth, then a solo homer in the ninth, tying an Austin Peay record for most home runs in a game and tied for the fourth-most RBI in a game.

His effort continued into the series sweep over conference foe Eastern Kentucky as he scored eight times and drove in three runs. He scored three time in the opener, hit another pair of two-run home runs in a four-RBI, three-run scored outing, then walked twice and scored twice in the finale.

On the mound, Vanderbilt junior righty Bryce Cunningham threw a complete-game shutout on Friday in a 4-0 victory over Mississippi State. The Headland, Ala., native was named the Southeastern Conference Pitcher of the Week as he pitched the longest outing of his career, throwing 122 pitches while allowing only two hits.

The complete-game shutout was Vanderbilt’s second this season and the first against an SEC team since Hunter Owen shutout Ole Miss on March 17, 2023.

Over on the softball diamond, Freed-Hardeman sophomore infielder/catcher Alivia Eggleston was named the Player of the Week after she batted .529 for the week, collecting a hit in all four games in the past week. The Madison, Ala., native drove in 10 total runs, including five in a 9-2 victory over Cumberland with a three-run homer and a two-run single.

In the circle, Trevecca pitcher Ashlan Sensing won the Pitcher of the Week honor as she collected her 23rd career shutout in a 5-0 victory over Cedarville. In the course of the week, she collected a 0.50 earned run average with two complete games. She struck out 16 batters across 14 innings of work. Opponents hit .154 against her as she allowed eight total hits and three walks.

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)
4/23 | Player: Christian Moore (Tennessee); Pitcher: Eli Snelson (Union)
4/30 | Player: Lyle Miller-Green (Austin Peay); Pitcher: Bryce Cunningham (Vanderbilt)

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)
4/23 | Player: Macey Hughes (Carson-Newman); Pitcher: Emily Sappington (Tusculum)
4/30 | Player: Aliva Eggleston (Freed-Hardeman): Pitcher: Ashlan Sensing (Trevecca)

TSWA honors college players of the week - April 23

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee junior infielder Christian Moore put his bat to the No. 3 Kentucky Wildcats over the weekend, putting together tremendous numbers to lead the Volunteers to a series win and claim the Tennessee Sports Writers Association’s College Baseball Player of the Week honor.

The Brooklyn native had at least one hit and one RBI in each of the games against the Wildcats. On Saturday and Sunday alone, Moore went 8-for-11 with five runs scored, four home runs and eight RBI. He tied his career best with four base knocks in back-to-back games, then set new career highs with four runs scored, three home runs and six RBI in Sunday’s finale. His three home runs tied the UT single-game record and leap-frogged him over teammate Blake Burke for the career homer lead with 46.

On the hill, Union junior pitcher Eli Snelson was named the Pitcher of the Week. The Huntsville, Ala., product worked a complete game as he allowed just one earned run on three hits, while striking out eight in a 2-1 victory over Montevallo to collect his fourth win of the season. With the 1.00 ERA, Snelson faced 31 batters, walking three, and posted a .107 opposing batting average.

Over to the softball diamond, Carson-Newman senior outfielder Macey Hughes was named the Softball Player of the Week as she tied the program’s single-game record for hits, collecting five in the 15-7 victory over Milligan in a game where she went 5-for-5 with three RBI and two doubles. For the week, Hughes batted .563 (9-for-16) with five RBI, seven runs scored and three doubles.

In the circle, Tusculum senior lefty Emily Sappington went 3-0 in three appearances as she collected wins over Lenoir-Rhyne, Young Harris and Newberry. Over the 20 innings of work, Sappington struck out 20 batters to go along with her 1.10 WHIP and 1.75 ERA. She helped her cause as she batted .400 with two RBI and a run scored.

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)
4/23 | Player: Christian Moore (Tennessee); Pitcher: Eli Snelson (Union)

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)
4/23 | Player: Macey Hughes (Carson-Newman); Pitcher: Emily Sappington (Tusculum)

TSWA announces wrestling all-state teams

NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Sports Writers Association announced all-state teams for wrestling Sunday, including three classes for boys and one class for girls.

BOYS
Class A
106
Luke Myhan, Soddy Daisy, Fr.
Dalton Lopez, Millington Central, Jr.
Luke Higdon, Signal Mountain, So.
Deter Thompson, David Crockett, Fr.

113
Samuel Comes, Seymour, So.
Ayden Jenkins, Soddy Daisy, Fr.
Nathaniel Graham, Station Camp, So.
Derrick Bolden, Millington Central, Fr.

120
JoJo Uhorchuk, Signal Mountain, So.
Tyson Flavin, Soddy Daisy, So.
Gunnar Tompkins, Watertown, Fr.
Logan Bridges, Munford, Jr.

126
Carson Dupill, Greeneville, Jr.
Landon Turner, Harpeth, Sr.
Charles Duncan, Soddy Daisy, Jr.
Ezra Finstad, Gibbs, Jr.

132
Ethan Uhorchuk, Signal Mountain, Jr.
Andres Hamilton, Tullahoma, Sr.
Max Minor, Tennessee High, So.
Brody Ford, Gibbs, Jr.

138
Andrew Lewis, Soddy Daisy, Sr.
Riley Napier, Heritage, Sr.
Vayden Moore, Cascade, Jr.
Jacob Pennington, Eagleville, Sr.

144
Caiden Mears, Tullahoma, Sr.
Braylan Cosper, Soddy Daisy, So.
Max Cable, Pigeon Forge, Fr.
Reese Levendusky, Montgomery Central, Sr.

150
Brody McLemore, Eagleville, Sr.
Corbin Avans, Tullahoma, Fr.
Ayden Hood, Pigeon Forge, So.
Sam Frank, Fairview, Sr.

157
Elijah Turner, Soddy Daisy, Sr.
Dylan Davenport, Sycamore, Sr.
Kaden Weitzel, Livingston Academy, So.
Thomas Solomon, Eagleville, So.

165
Deameion Leavell, Clinton, So.
Wyatt Howard, Pigeon Forge, Jr.
Quenston Davis, Munford, Jr.
Nikolas Taylor, White House Heritage, Sr.

175
Jackson Davis, Signal Mountain, Jr.
Logan Rawlinson, Soddy Daisy, So.
Jaden Jones, Pigeon Forge, Sr.
Calvin Rickard, Station Camp, Sr.

190
Connor Avans, Tullahoma, Sr.
Isaac Chapa, Cascade, Sr.
Houston Rettig, Eagleville, So.
Nathan Wade, Soddy Daisy, Jr.

215
Rob Atwood, Trousdale County, Sr.
John Geist, Livingston Academy, Sr.
Tyson Click, Samuel Everett, So.
Landon Morris, Cheatham County, Sr.

285
Jonathan Davis, Soddy Daisy, Jr.
Cristopher Flockhart, Cocke County, Sr.
Malik Bolling, East Nashville, Sr.
Andrew Grove, Creek Wood, Sr.

Class AA
106
Jose Cordero, Cleveland, So.
Andrew Workman, Blackman, Fr.
Ryan Dietrick, Ravenwood, Fr.
Nolan Barton, Nolensville, So.

113
Chase Walker, Cleveland, Jr.
Sebron Colson, Blackman, Sr.
Brock Connatser, Hardin Valley, Jr.
Blaise Masi, Summit, So.

120
Mason Jakob, Dobyns Bennett, So.
Chase Smalling, Science Hill, So.
Kyle Nielsen, Spring Hill, So.
Colby Baltz, Germantown Houston, Sr.

126
Hunter Heflin, Arlington, Sr.
Zach Bosken, Cleveland, Jr.
Chase Creque, Siegel, Jr.
Derek Winseman, Dobyns Bennett, Fr.

132
Jarvis Little, Summit, Sr.
Andrew Donelson, Brentwood, Sr.
Aslan Nadeau, Blackman, So.
Daniel Halcomb, Maryville, Sr.

138
Thomas Rubio, Blackman, So.
Arash Yazdani, Brentwood, Sr.
Ace Robinson, Rhea County, Jr.
Damen Pullen, Collierville, Sr.

144
Landon Desselle, Summit, Sr.
Riddeck Romano, Independence, Jr.
Ty Hutchens, West Creek, So.
Max Landrum, Rossview, Sr.

150
Brayden Leach, Summitt, Jr.
Harlen Hunley, Knox Halls, Jr.
Clark Vaughn, Brentwood, Sr.
Jacob Barlow, Coffee County, Sr.

157
Cy Fowler, Cleveland, Jr.
Zachery Little, Summit, So.
Barrett Whaley, Knox Halls, So.
Blaise Meeks, Blackman, Jr.

165
Logan Fowler, Cleveland, Sr.
Chase Mayes, Nolensville, Jr.
Jayden McKinney, Summit, Jr.
Alex Osburn, Ravenwood, Jr.

175
Tre McTorry, Nolensville, Fr.
Jake Stacey, Green Hill, Sr.
Standford Thompson, West Creek, Jr.
Henry Williams, Clarksville Northwest, Sr.

190
Lucas Szymborski, Cleveland, Jr.
Spencer Kon, Independence, Sr.
Brennen Neal, Nolensville, Sr.
Ashton Boswell, Cordova, Jr.

215
Logan McBee, Shelbyville Central, Sr.
Garrett Crowder, Dobyns Bennett, Sr.
Gabe Moore, Cleveland, So.
Jake Sentell, Nolensville, Fr.

285
Tyson Russell, Cleveland, Jr.
Peters Savarino, Summit, Jr.
Jackson Ard, Brentwood, Jr.
Jeremiah Townsend, Walker Valley, Jr.

Division II
106
Jaxon Lane, McCallie School, 8th grade
Tanner Tran, Father Ryan, So.
Cash Waymire, Brentwood Academy, So.
Joseph Drewry, Christian Brothers, Fr.

113
Jacob Bond, Baylor School, Jr.
Nolan Hardeman, Boyd Buchanan, So.
Axel Ritchie, McCallie School, So.
Aidan Hare, Father Ryan, Fr.

120
Joseph Calvin, Father Ryan, Sr.
Bo Dominguez, Brentwood Academy, Fr.
Luke Johns, Montgomery Bell Academy, So.
Brody Connell, McCallie School, So.

126
Brody Gobbell, Father Ryan, Jr.
William Phillips, Baylor School, So.
Cole Gumlick, Lakeway Christian, Jr.
Cainan Williams, McCallie School, 8th grade

132
Casen Roark, Father Ryan, Jr.
Spencer Reep, Lakeway Christian, Sr.
Dylan Villers, McCallie School, 8th grade
Chase Hart, Baylor School, Jr.

138
Ethan Lampert, Father Ryan, Jr.
Malachi Puckett, Baylor School, Fr.
Cooper Ledbetter, McCallie School, 8th grade
Robert Hutton, Christian Brothers, Sr.

144
Titus Norman, Baylor School, So.
Tyson Wolcott, Friendship Christian, Sr.
Zaydan Morgan, McCallie School, Fr.
Mason Butler, Christian Brothers, Jr.

150
Chancery Deane, Father Ryan, Jr.
Jerry Payne, Boyd Buchanan, Sr.
William Emendorfer, Baylor School, So.
Findley Smout, Christian Brothers, So.

157
Hunter Sturgill, Baylor School, Jr.
Austyn Johnson, Boyd Buchanan, Sr.
Jackson Turner, Chattanooga Christian, Jr.
Cannon Voiles, McCallie School, Fr.

165
Maximus Norman, Baylor School, Jr.
James Cross, McCallie School, Sr.
Sawyer Rutherford, Father Ryan, Jr.
Taylor Wimsatt, Brentwood Academy, Sr.

175
Drake Bowers, Christian Brothers, Sr.
Kaiden Bates, Boyd Buchanan, Sr.
Brody Casto, Lakeway Christian, Jr.
Brody Belville, Brentwood Academy, So.

190
Jay Eversole, Lakeway Christian, Jr.
Ja`Von McMahan, McCallie School, Sr.
Elias Franks, Montgomery Bell Academy, Jr.
Jonah Bumgarner, Chattanooga Christian, Jr.

215
Ryder Smith, Chattanooga Christian, So.
Cooper Gentle, McCallie School, So.
Jeremiah Rhames, Battle Ground Academy, Sr.
Beau Koogler, Franklin Road Academy, Sr.

285
Carson Gentle, McCallie School, Sr.
Bobby Council, Franklin Road Academy, Sr.
Austin Williams, Christian Brothers, Jr.
Samuel Rose, Baylor School, Sr.

GIRLS
100
Ryleigh Sturgill, Baylor School, Fr.
Vivian Mariscal, Nashville Overton, Sr.
Cora Finstad, Gibbs, Fr.
Evangeline Monge, Centennial, Fr.

107
Jaden Evans, York Institute, Jr.
Payton Agnell, Tullahoma, Sr.
Makya Parker, Cleveland, Sr.
Mikiah Souza, Springfield, Sr.

114
Melanie Val, St. Andrew’s-Sewanee, Sr.
Senna Grassman, Cleveland, So.
Shyanne Michalski, Clarksville Northwest, Sr.
Abigail Page, White House Heritage, Sr.

120
Nataleigh Shane, Bradley Central, So.
Lexi Dean, West Creek, Fr.
Ava Johnson, Clarksville, Fr.
Mya Bundy, Mt. Juliet, Fr.

126
Jes’Onia Barefield, West Creek, Jr.
Abigail Vanderheyden, Siegel, Sr.
Delaney Nichols, Gibbs, Jr.
Gabriella Salinas-Rincon, Bradley Central, Sr.

132
Halai Cox, McGavock, Jr.
Sophia Satterfield, Knox Halls, Jr.
Eleasa Renken, West Creek, Jr.
Emery Wilson, Ravenwood, Fr.

138
Mariana Bowen, West Creek, So.
Delilah Queen, Knox Catholic, Fr.
Brooklyn Whiteside, Clarksville, Sr.
Jocelyn Kolozsy, Montgomery Central, Jr.

145
Audrey Levendusky, Montgomery Central, So.
Sally Johnson, Clarksville Northwest, So.
Trinity Roberts, Heritage, So.
Adelyn Vanoy, Cleveland, Jr.

152
Kricket Jones, Knox Karns, Sr.
Sawyer Ward, Science Hill, So.
Janiya Johnson, Kirkwood, Fr.
Bella Harris, Cleveland, Sr.

165
Piper Fowler, Cleveland, Jr.
Rebecca Deyo, Knox Catholic, Sr.
Cearyona O’Connor, Montgomery Central, Sr.
Danika Mealer, Forrest, So.

185
Ella Murphey, Hardin Valley, Sr.
Carter Grissom, Riverdale, Sr.
Diamond Young, Cleveland, Sr.
Lakeria Kelly, Pearl-Cohn, Fr.

235
Madelin Zunun, Cleveland, Jr.
Shaniayha Wysinger, Clarksville, Sr.
Samantha O`Leary, Summit, So.
Macy Greenlee, West Greene, Sr.

Bowling all-state teams recognized by TSWA

NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Sports Writers Association announced all-state teams for bowling Saturday, including one class in Division I and Division II for both boys and girls.

BOYS
Division I
William Davis, Columbia Central, Jr.
Matteo Quintero, Stewarts Creek, Fr.
Josh Morgan, Smyrna, Sr.
Peyton Abel, Science Hill, Jr.
Blake McReynolds, Sr.

Division II
Logan Winkler, Friendship Christian, Sr.
Jackson Roberts, St. Benedict at Auburndale, So.
Zane Collins, Pope Prep, Sr.
John Brooks, Friendship Christian, Sr.
Finn Donnelly, Pope Prep, Sr.

GIRLS
Division I
Macy Bromley, Hardin County, Sr.
Kenzie Bond, Bartlett, Fr.
Millie Bromley, Hardin County, Sr.
Gabi Mann, Creek Wood, Jr.
Aubrey Garton, Hardin County, Jr.

Division II
Olivia Rush, Friendship Christian, Sr.
Simone Guyton, Harding Academy, Jr
Landry West, Friendship Christian, Sr.
Mina Chen, Lipscomb Academy, 8th grade
Zoe Crider, St. Benedict at Auburndale, Sr.