All-state teams for classes 4A, 5A, 6A, honored by TSWA

January 5, 2025 Forrest Freeman

NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Sports Writers Association announced all-state football teams for classes in 4A, 5A and 6A on Sunday, which includes 17 offensive and 13 defensive players for each team in all three classifications.

Class 4A
OFFENSE
QB – Tyler Thompson, Marshall County, Jr.*
QB – Mason Phillips, Northview Academy, Sr.
QB – Landon Hensley, Anderson County, Sr.
RB – Waylon LaRue, Anderson County, Sr.*
RB – Carson Quillen, Greeneville, Sr.*
RB – Rhyan Brown, Melrose, Sr.
RB – Zach Borders, Macon County, Sr.
WR – Aja Jones, Marshall County, Sr.
WR – Trent Strickland, Anderson County, Sr.
WR – Derrick Smith Jr., Fulton, Sr.
OL – Brody Frye, Macon County, Sr.
OL – Judd Taylor, Carter, Sr.
OL – Eli Dorton, Anderson County, Sr.
OL – Kaiden Harris, Melrose, Sr.
OL – Brandon Iezzi, Greeneville, Sr.
OL – Lake Renfro, Soddy Daisy, Sr.
ATH – Javion Kinnard, Pearl-Cohn, Sr.
K – Avery Hurst, Crockett County, Sr.

DEFENSE
DL – Hunter Griggs, Macon County, Sr.
DL – Kyler Garcia, Pearl-Cohn, Sr.
DL – Jake Coffey, Carter, Jr.
DL – Taylor Davis, Anderson County, Sr.
LB – Cody Miller, Anderson County, Sr.
LB – Drew Armbrister, Greeneville, Sr.
LB – Lonnie Tate, Melrose, Sr.
LB – Jake Knox, Crockett County, Jr.
DB – Gabe Borders, Macon County, Sr.
DB – Donovan Higgins, Pearl-Cohn, Sr.
DB – Zaydyn Anderson, Greeneville, Jr.
DB – Caden Harris, Haywood, Jr.
P – Mikel Van Pelt, Gibbs, Jr.

Class 5A
OFFENSE
QB – Kelvin Perkins, Southwind, Jr.*
QB – Cooper Newman, Sevier County, So.
QB – Amari Lethgo, Knox Halls, Jr.
RB – Cooper Jordan, Hendersonville, Sr.
RB – Brett Dobbs, Lincoln County, Sr.
RB – Robert Bailey, Shelbyville, Jr.
WR – Will Pressley, Oak Ridge, Jr.
WR – Bryson Maddox, Clinton, Jr.
WR – Brody Rogers, Knox Halls, Jr.
OL – Otto Janse Van Rensburg, Sevier County, Sr.
OL – Ethan Eubanks, Oak Ridge, Sr.
OL – Jacob Rathbone, Page, Jr.
OL – Jack Fuchs, Beech, Jr.
OL – Kaden Norman, Springfield, Jr.
OL – Austin Johnson, Page, Sr.
ATH – Jude Costner, Sevier County, Sr.
K – Dylan Stooksbury, Powell, Sr.

DEFENSE
DL – Eric Hazzard, Page, Sr.*
DL – Jhrevious Hall, Columbia Central, Sr.
DL – Dom Culp, Knox Halls, Jr.
DL – Cole McCampbell, Heritage, Sr.
LB – Brenden Anes, Page, Sr.*
LB – Aaron Estes, Munford, Sr.
LB – Keenan Chatman Jr., Springfield, Sr.
LB – Jack Keith, Knox West, Sr.
DB – Bryson Headrick, Sevier County, Jr.
DB – Antwain Burdine, Knox West, Sr.
DB – Knight Wilson, Page, Jr.
DB – Josiah Moore, Beech, Sr.
P – Gavin Rush, Page, Sr.

Class 6A
OFFENSE
QB – Miles Reding, Kirkwood, So.
QB – Will Jones, Maryville, So.
QB – Chandler Day, Germantown Houston, Sr.
RB – Skylar Thomas, Jefferson County, Sr.
RB – Geron Johnson, Bartlett, Sr.
RB – Daune Morris, Oakland, Sr.
WR – D.J. Miller, Germantown Houston, Sr.
WR – Tory Beaufort, Bearden, Jr.
WR – Robbie Jacobs, Farragut, Sr.
OL – Brody Smith, Maryville, Jr.
OL – Isaiah Kirk, Oakland, Sr.
OL – Nic Moore, Jefferson County, Sr.
OL – Kyle Larkin, Ravenwood, Sr.
OL – Cooper Sherrod, Collierville, Jr.
OL – Ta’Khyian Whitset, Antioch, Sr.
ATH – Craig Tutt, Oakland, Jr.*
K – Max Kelley, Gallatin, Sr.

DEFENSE
DL – Samuel Iroh, Collierville, Sr.*
DL – Christian Wilson, Jefferson County, Jr.
DL – Atticus Fiorita, Mt. Juliet, Sr.
DL – AJ Westfield, Cleveland, Jr.
LB – Matthew Covert, Maryville, Sr.
LB – Austin Howard, Bartlett, Sr.
LB – Austin Mayfield, Ravenwood, Sr.
LB – Baylor Necessary, Science Hill, Sr.
DB – Andre Allen, Germantown Houston, Sr.
DB – Donovan Starr, Ravenwood, Sr.*
DB – Yasir Muhammad, Germantown, Sr.
DB – Landon Collins, Farragut, Sr.
P – Nathan Holbrook, Hardin Valley, Sr.

*-Mr. Football finalist

TSWA announces all-state football teams for Division II

January 4, 2025 Forrest Freeman

NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Sports Writers Association announced all-state football teams for Division II on Saturday, which includes 17 offensive and 13 defensive players for each team in all three classifications.

Division II-A
OFFENSE
QB – Jared Curtis, Nashville Christian, Jr.*
QB – Austin Kelley, Jackson Christian, Sr.
QB – Stephen Nieves, Columbia Academy, Sr.
RB – Nix Fullen, Tipton-Rosemark, Jr.*
RB – Montae Baldwin, Columbia Academy, Sr.
RB – Duece Lawrence, Jackson Christian, Jr.
WR – Jay’len Mosley, Jackson Christian, Sr.*
WR – Harrison Brownlee, Columbia Academy, Sr.
WR – Grayson Scragg, Donelson Christian, Jr.
OL – Sam Davis, Trinity Christian, So.
OL – Daniel Cepicky, Columbia Academy, Jr.
OL – Pryor Browning, Nashville Christian, Sr.
OL – Dylan Davenport, Friendship Christian, Sr.
OL – Graham Peeler, Nashville Christian, Sr.
OL – Kaden Buchanan, Friendship Christian, So.
ATH – Kaden Grigsby, Nashville Christian, Jr.
K – Maddox Stevenson, Grace Christian-Franklin, So.

DEFENSE
DL – Maki Bell, The King’s Academy, So.
DL – Hank Miller, Trinity Christian, Jr.
DL – J.R. Adkins, Columbia Academy, Sr.
DL – Car’Lando Barton, Friendship Christian, Sr.
LB – Nixon Love, Columbia Academy, So.
LB – Sean Birkofer, Providence Christian, Jr.
LB – Hayden Holleman, Friendship Christian, Sr.
LB – Kai Wyatt, Jackson Christian, Sr.
DB – Mason Eckerson, The King’s Academy, So.
DB – Jackson Usherwood, Columbia Academy, Jr.
DB – Brayden Waller, Trinity Christian, Sr.
DB – Mac Jackson, Columbia Academy, Sr.
P – Owen White, Middle Tennessee Christian, Sr.

Division II-AA
OFFENSE
QB – Hutson Chance, Christ Presbyterian Academy, Sr.*
QB – Kaedyn Marable, Battle Ground Academy, Jr.*
QB – Weston Edmondson, Grace Christian-Knoxville, Sr.
RB – Noah Spencer, University School of Jackson, Sr.*
RB – Ladarius Hollingsworth, Chattanooga Christian, Sr.
RB – Rawls Patterson, Christ Presbyterian Academy, Jr.
WR – Owen Cabell, Christ Presbyterian Academy, Jr.
WR – Arnett Hayes, Battle Ground Academy, Sr.
WR – Jawell Rodgers, Lausanne Collegiate, Jr.
OL – Zane Fields, Christian Academy of Knoxville, Sr.
OL – Caleb Howard, Boyd Buchanan, Sr.
OL – Blaze Raschke, Boyd Buchanan, Jr.
OL – Keilan Neal, Franklin Road Academy, So.
OL – Skyler Smith, Christ Presbyterian Academy, So.
OL – Brady Smith, Christ Presbyterian Academy, Sr.
ATH – Terrion Thomas, Grace Christian-Knoxville, So.
K – Ethan Lane, Boyd Buchanan, Sr.*

DEFENSE
DL – Mason Bates, Boyd Buchanan, So.
DL – Collin Crider, Christian Academy of Knoxville, Jr.
DL – Nate Fleming, Battle Ground Academy, Jr.
DL – Tyre Brown, Chattanooga Christian, So.
LB – David Green, Boyd Buchanan, Jr.
LB – Alex Wallace, University School of Jackson, Sr.
LB – Malik Lee, Chattanooga Christian, Sr.
LB – Lincoln Meshell, Silverdale Baptist, Sr.
DB – Omarii Sanders, Franklin Road Academy, So.
DB – Sebastian Jones, Boyd Buchanan, Jr.
DB – Hal Niendorff, Knox Webb, Sr.
DB – Cannon Rogers, Silverdale Baptist, So.
P – Roman Mathis, Davidson Academy, Sr.

Division II-AAA
OFFENSE
QB – George MacIntyre, Brentwood Academy, Sr.*
QB – Briggs Cherry, Baylor School, Jr.
QB – Taylor Hasselbeck, Ensworth School, Jr.
RB – David Gabriel Georges, Baylor School, So.*
RB – Shekai Mills-Knight, Baylor School, Sr.
RB – Keylan Syam, McCallie School, Sr.
WR – Tyreek King, Knox Catholic, Jr.
WR – Joakim Dodson, Baylor School, Sr.
WR – Kesean Bowman, Brentwood Academy, So.
OL – Jimmy Bryson, Baylor School, Sr.
OL – Michael Ray, Memphis University School, Sr.
OL – Moussa Seck, McCallie School, Jr.
OL – Chauncey Gooden, Lipscomb Academy, Sr.
OL – Jon Adair, Lipscomb Academy, Sr.
OL – Charlie Edgeworth, Baylor School, Jr.
ATH – Justin Hopkins, Ensworth School, Jr.
K – Philippe Laforge, Baylor School, Sr.*

DEFENSE
DL – Ethan Utley, Ensworth School, Sr.*
DL – Jayden Hudgins Key, McCallie School, Jr.
DL – Brandon Collins, Ensworth School, Sr.
DL – Fisher French, McCallie School, Jr.
LB – Joel Lowenberg, Baylor School, Sr.
LB – Cooper Gentle, McCallie School, Jr.
LB – Kris Thompson, Lipscomb Academy, Sr.
LB – Sam Haley, Ensworth School, Sr.
DB – Jamyan Theodore, Baylor School, Jr.
DB – Carson Lawrence, McCallie School, Sr.
DB – CJ Jimcoily, Lipscomb Academy, Sr.
DB – Kolby Barrett, Baylor School, Jr.
P – Elliott Arnold, McCallie School, Sr.*

*-Mr. Football finalist

College players of the week recognized - Jan. 2

January 2, 2025 Forrest Freeman

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – There were still some exciting performances during the holiday break as the Tennessee Sports Writers Association picked Lipscomb senior forward Jacob Ognacevic as its Men’s Basketball Player of the Week and Vanderbilt sophomore forward Khamil Pierre as the Women’s Basketball Player of the Week for games between Dec. 16 and 29.

Ognacevic, a senior from Sheboygan, Wisc., had three strong games during the holiday session as he recorded 32 points on 12-of-18 shooting with six boards, two assists, one steal and four blocks against in-state foe Middle Tennessee.

He also recorded 25 points on 10-for-13 shooting with 12 rebounds to complete the double-double against Asbury with four assists and a steal. Ognacevic also recorded 14 points with six rebounds and a steal against Truett McConnell.

For the two-week span, Ognacevic compiled 71 points with 24 rebounds, six assists, three steals and four blocks, averaging 23.4 points and 8.0 rebounds.

On the women’s side, Pierre collected two double-doubles in three contests as the Commodores maintained a 13-1 record on the season. The Phoenix, Ariz., native has scored in double figures for the 16th straight game, which is the seventh-longest streak since 1999-00 and the longest since Christina Foggie had 19 consecutive games with 10 or more points in 2013-14.

Against Dayton, Pierre scored 14 points with 10 rebounds, five assists and four steals. She followed that up with 23 points, 10 boards, three assists, three steals and a block against West Georgia. Pierre came back from the Christmas holiday with a 29-point, seven-rebound performance against Alabama A&M with four assists, four steals and a block.

Over the three-game span, Pierre scored 66 points (22.0 per game), pulled down 27 rebounds (9.0 per game), with 12 assists (4.0 per game), 11 steals (3.7 per game) and two blocks (0.7 per game).

TSWA recognizes college players of the week - Dec. 17

December 18, 2024 Forrest Freeman

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Belmont senior forward Jonathan Pierre led the Bruins to a big non-conference victory, earning this week’s Tennessee Sports Writers Association Men’s Basketball Player of the Week honor.

Pierre, a Memphis transfer from Hallandale, Fla., has flourished with Belmont this season and put up a strong performance over defending Atlantic 10 champion Richmond as the senior posted one of the top efforts this season by a Missouri Valley Conference player.

In the victory over the Spiders, Pierre collected a career-high 28 points, including a 5-for-9 effort from beyond the arc and a 5-for-5 night at the free-throw line. He also collected seven rebounds and nine assists as he flirted with a triple-double in the victory. It was his seventh double-digit scoring game of the season.

The 6-9 forward is currently averaging 13.6 points, 7.1 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game.

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL: In a week that saw some amazing women’s basketball performances, the decision went to Vanderbilt sophomore forward Khamil Pierre.

Also named one of this week’s winners of the U.S. Basketball Writers Association’s Ann Meyers Drysdale National Player of the Week, the Phoenix, Ariz., native put together one of the best games in Vanderbilt program history as she broke the Commodores’ single-game scoring record with 42 points, surpassing the previous best of 41 set by Chantelle Anderson (Feb. 8, 2001) and Ciaja Harbison (Jan. 29, 2023).

She accomplished one of the rarest feats in basketball as she outscored Evansville by herself as the Commodores defeated the Purple Aces 106-40. The 42 points is the most scored by a Southeastern Conference player this season and the most since the 2020-21 season. Pierre was 19-for-28 from the field and 4-for-6 at the free-throw line.

She scored 20 points alone in the first quarter, setting the program record for points scored in the opening frame, as well as tied Marnelle Garraud’s record for most points scored in any quarter, set on Jan. 16, 2023, in the fourth quarter at Arkansas.

In addition to her career-high 42 points, Pierre also set a new career high in rebounds as she pulled down 18 boards, along with an assist, a block and eight steals.

Pierre extended her double-digit scoring streak to 13 games and posted her eighth double-double of the season.

College players of the week announced by TSWA

December 10, 2024 Forrest Freeman

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Carson-Newman junior guard Jack Browder has been on a tear of late, scoring 30 or more points in three straight games.

As he continues his torrid pace, the Kingsport, Tenn., was selected Tuesday as the Tennessee Sports Writers Association’s Men’s Basketball Player of the Week.

Despite an 87-81 loss to UVA Wise, Browder put in 36 points and grabbed 16 rebounds – both career highs. The 16 rebounds are tied for the seventh-most in C-N program history and the third-most since the Eagles started play in NCAA Division II.

From the field against the Cavaliers, Browder shot 12-for-18, including 4-for-4 from beyond the arc and connected on all eight of his free throw tries. On the glass, he had five offensive caroms and 11 defensive ricochets, while also blocking two shots.

Browder was efficient in the next game, collecting 30 points in a 98-89 win over Limestone on 9-for-10 shooting, including 4-for-5 from long-range. He was also perfect at the line again, imitating his previous 8-for-8 effort at the stripe. Browder also collected six rebounds, two assists and two blocks.

The Eagles’ junior guard was also announced as the Division II National Player of the Week by the National Basketball Coaches Association on Tuesday.

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL: Tennessee redshirt sophomore guard Talaysia Cooper had a strong week of her own as the Lady Vol extended her streak of scoring 20 or more points to four straight games, posting an average of 22.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 2.5 blocks and 2.0 steals in wins over Florida State and No. 17 Iowa to improve to 7-0 on the season.

In a nationally televised game from Brooklyn’s Barclays Center, Cooper overcame foul trouble to score 19 of her 23 points in the second half to lead the Lady Vols to the 78-68 victory over the nationally-ranked Hawkeyes in the Shark Beauty Women’s Champions Classic. The Turbeville, S.C., native scored 10 of her points in the final 4:26 of the game, allowing Tennessee to overcome a four-point deficit and close out the game on a 16-2 run. Cooper also had six rebounds, three assists, three blocks and two steals against Iowa.

Earlier in the week, Cooper continued to show her all-around game as she shot 58.8 percent from the field for 22 points against the Seminoles, while also pulling down seven rebounds, three assists, two blocks and two steals.