Boys, girls basketball polls presented by CoachT.com - Feb. 10

February 10, 2025 Forrest Freeman

NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Sports Writers Association announced rankings for boys and girls basketball for the 2024-25 season on Monday, with the poll presented by CoachT.com. Top 10 teams in each of the four Division I classifications and Top 5 in two Division II classes were selected by TSWA members with first-place votes in parentheses and total points based on 10 points for a first-place vote through one point for a 10th-place vote.

GIRLS
Class 1A
1. Pickett County (22-3) – 40 (4)
2. Wayne County (22-3) – 35
3. Moore County (21-3) – 33
4. Richland (22-2) – 28
5. Van Buren County (20-4) – 22
t6. McEwen (19-4) –16
t6. North Greene (23-3) – 16
8. Coalfield (22-5) – 13
9. Union City (18-7) – 11
10. Greenfield (20-5) – 3
Others receiving votes: Dresden 2, East Robertson 1

Class 2A
1. Westview (22-1) – 38 (2)
2. McMinn Central (26-1) – 36 (1)
3. York Institute (19-5) – 33 (1)
4. Loretto (18-7) – 25
5. East Nashville (20-1) – 22
6. Smith County (20-6) – 17
7. Alcoa (21-6) – 16
8. Gibson County (20-8) – 11
9. Cheatham County (21-4) – 6
10. Gatlinburg-Pittman (17-9) – 5
Others receiving votes: Huntingdon 3, Summertown 3, Cannon County 3, Hampton 2

Class 3A
1. White County (24-3) – 37 (2)
2. Heritage (24-2) – 33 (1)
3. Dyersburg (20-4) – 31 (1)
4. Jackson South Side (21-2) – 28
5. Northview Academy (23-2) – 20
6. Upperman (22-5) – 19
7. David Crockett (24-3) – 17
8. Cocke County (22-6) – 15
9. South Gibson (21-5) – 13
10. Crockett County (19-6) – 3
Others receiving votes: Livingston Academy 2, Valor Collegiate 2

Class 4A
1. Bradley Central (24-1) – 40 (4)
2. Coffee County (26-0) – 36
3. Bearden (25-4) – 30
4. Blackman (19-2) – 27
5. Sevier County (21-4) – 24
6. Oak Ridge (21-3) – 22
7. Morristown East (21-5) – 9
8. Brentwood (19-4) – 7
9. Cleveland (18-4) – 4
t10. Cookeville (16-4) – 4
t10. Nolensville (20-6) – 4
Others receiving votes: Lebanon 3, Memphis East 3, Clarksville 3, Bartlett 2, Page 1, Lincoln County 1

Division II-A
1. University School of Jackson (21-3) – 20 (4)
2. Providence Christian (18-4) – 15
3. Ezell-Harding (22-3) – 13
4. Nashville Christian (21-4) – 5
5. Goodpasture Christian (17-6) – 2
Others receiving votes: The King’s Academy 4, Webb School-Bell Buckle 2, Christian Academy of Knoxville 1

Division II-AA
1. Knox Webb (23-3) – 20 (4)
2. Lipscomb Academy (22-3) – 16
3. Hutchison School (14-6) – 10
4. Christ Presbyterian Academy (18-5) – 10
5. Father Ryan (17-4) – 2
Others receiving votes: Chattanooga Christian 2

BOYS
Class 1A
1. Eagleville (21-2) – 38 (2)
2. Chattanooga Prep (16-7) – 37 (2)
3. Pickett County (19-5) – 31
4. Santa Fe (21-2) – 27
5. Humboldt (21-5) – 25
6. MASE (16-2) – 20
7. North Greene (2-4) – 18
8. Wayne County (18-7) – 11
9. Clay County (16-5) – 5
10. University High-Johnson City (17-5) – 3
Others receiving votes: Richland 3, Middle College 2

Class 2A
1. Loretto (24-0) – 49 (4)
2. Alcoa (21-5) – 46 (1)
3. Tyner Academy (20-6) – 40
4. Kingston (21-3) – 29
5. Tellico Plains (22-2) – 29
6. Jackson County (20-2) – 24
7. Fairley (19-5) – 17
8. Gatlinburg-Pittman (20-5) – 14
9. Peabody (20-5) – 12
10. Liberty Creek (19-6) – 9
Others receiving votes: White House Heritage 4, Austin-East 2

Class 3A
1. Upperman (21-2) – 49 (4)
2. Fayette Ware (19-5) – 42 (1)
3. Hume-Fogg (20-3) – 41
4. Jackson South Side (17-2) – 33
5. Jackson North Side (22-3) – 32
6. Tennessee High (22-5) – 23
7. Tullahoma (23-3) – 18
8. Red Bank (21-5) – 14
t9. Greeneville (16-9) – 9
t9. Stone Memorial (18-8) – 9
Others receiving votes: Knox Carter 4, Station Camp 2, Heritage 1

Class 4A
1. Whitehaven (22-3) – 48 (3)
2. Bartlett (19-7) – 44 (2)
3. Hillsboro (23-4) – 40
4. Bearden (24-4) – 37
5. Germantown Houston (21-6) – 29
6. Knox West (19-4) – 20
7. Oak Ridge (20-3) – 19
t8. Brentwood (18-6) – 10
t8. Franklin (18-5) – 10
10. Walker Valley (22-3) – 8
Others receiving votes: Maryville 5, Blackman 2, Sevier County 2, Beech 1

Division II-A
1. Goodpasture Christian (24-1) – 19 (3)
2. Providence Christian (19-2) – 13 (1)
3. Friendship Christian (20-5) – 7
t4. Christian Academy of Knoxville (25-2) – 6
t4. Boyd Buchanan (21-5) – 6
Others receiving votes: Providence Academy 4, Trinity Christian 3, Webb School-Bell Buckle 1, University School of Jackson 1

Division II-AA
1. Knox Webb (22-2) – 24 (4)
2. Pope Prep (24-3) – 21 (1)
3. Montgomery Bell Academy (21-4) – 14
4. Briarcrest Christian (17-4) – 11
5. Father Ryan (17-7) – 4
Others receiving votes: Ensworth School 1

College players of the week recognized by TSWA - Feb. 4

February 4, 2025 Forrest Freeman

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Lipscomb’s Jacob Ognacevic dominated in his two games this week to earn the Tennessee Sports Writers Association Men’s Basketball Player of the Week honor on Tuesday, averaging a double-double against Atlantic Sun competition.

The senior forward from Sheboygan, Wisc., won his fourth honor this season as he averaged a double-double with a 26.0-point and 10.5-rebound average as the Bisons went 1-1 on the week.

Ognacevic scored a season-high 32 points against Bellarmine as he was 9-for-12 from the field and 4-for-5 from 3-point range. He also was an efficient 10-for-14 at the free-throw line. In addition to his scoring, he also pulled down nine rebounds with an assist.

Earlier in the week, Ognacevic scored 20 points against Eastern Kentucky, shooting 7-for-13 from the field, 3-for-6 from long range and 3-for-5 at the line. He completed the double-double with 12 boards.

For the season, the senior is averaging 19.2 points and 8.1 rebounds.

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL: Mikayla Blakes rewrote the record book last week as the Vanderbilt freshman broke the NCAA single-game scoring record for a true freshman and the Southeastern Conference women’s basketball single-game scoring record with a 53-point outburst last week against Florida.

Over the course of the week, the Somerset, N.J., native averaged 34.5 points, 2.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 0.5 blocks and 2.0 steals. However, it was last Thursday’s performance that put the true freshman on the nation’s radar.

Blakes finished the game shooting 16-for-24 from the field, knocking down five 3-pointers and was 16-for-18 at the charity stripe. She also collected three rebounds, two assists and three steals in the 99-86 victory over the Gators. Blakes had 32 points in the second half and 18 in the fourth quarter alone.

She became the only Division I player – men’s or women’s – to score 50 points this season and surpassed LSU’s Jocelyn Penn – who scored 51 points against Stetson on Jan. 4, 2003 – for the SEC’s scoring record. It is the most points for a first-year player on the Division I level since USC’s JuJu Watkins scored 51 last season.

The performance also breaks the Vanderbilt single-game scoring record of 42 set by teammate Khamil Pierre recently on Dec. 17 against Evansville.

In the Commodores’ game against Ole Miss on Sunday, Blakes scored 16 points despite early foul trouble, scoring 13 of her total in the second half to extend her double-digit scoring streak to nine games.

Prep basketball polls announced by TSWA - Feb. 3

February 3, 2025 Forrest Freeman

GIRLS
Class 1A
1. Pickett County (19-3) – 50 (5)
2. Wayne County (20-3) – 44
3. Moore County (19-3) – 39
4. Richland (20-2) – 37
5. Van Buren County (17-3) – 23
6. McEwen (17-4) –18
7. Dresden (16-5) – 17
t8. Clarkrange (17-7) – 15
t8. North Greene (20-3) – 15
10. Coalfield (20-5) – 10
Others receiving votes: Union City 7

Class 2A
1. Westview (20-1) – 48 (3)
2. McMinn Central (24-1) – 45 (1)
3. York Institute (17-5) – 40 (1)
4. East Nashville (18-1) – 32
5. Loretto (16-7) – 30
6. Alcoa (20-5) – 24
7. Gibson County (20-6) – 22
8. Smith County (18-6) – 10
9. Summertown (18-2) – 9
10. Gatlinburg-Pittman (16-8) – 8
Others receiving votes: Cheatham County 4, Liberty Creek 2, Cannon County 1

Class 3A
1. Heritage (23-1) – 50 (5)
2. White County (22-3) – 40
3. Upperman (21-4) – 35
4. Dyersburg (18-4) – 34
5. Jackson South Side (19-2) – 33
6. Northview Academy (21-2) – 30
7. David Crockett (21-3) – 17
8. South Gibson (19-5) – 16
9. Cocke County (20-6) – 14
10. Crockett County (18-5) – 5
Others receiving votes: Livingston Academy 1

Class 4A
1. Bradley Central (22-1) – 50 (5)
2. Coffee County (24-0) – 45
3. Bearden (23-3) – 39
4. Blackman (17-2) – 31
5. Sevier County (20-3) – 27
6. Cookeville (16-4) – 21
7. Cleveland (18-4) – 18
8. Clarksville (18-0) –16
9. Oak Ridge (19-3) – 14
10. Morristown East (20-5) – 6
Others receiving votes: Page 5, Nolensville 2, Collierville 1

Division II-A
1. University School of Jackson (20-3) – 24 (4)
2. Providence Christian (17-3) – 21 (1)
3. Ezell-Harding (20-3) – 14
4. Goodpasture Christian (16-5) – 7
5. Nashville Christian (17-4) – 4
Others receiving votes: The King’s Academy 4, Christian Academy of Knoxville 1

Division II-AA
1. Knox Webb (21-3) – 25 (5)
2. Lipscomb Academy (20-3) – 20
3. Chattanooga Christian (13-5) – 11
4. Christ Presbyterian Academy (16-5) – 8
5. Hutchison School (14-6) – 6
Others receiving votes: Father Ryan 4, Ensworth School 1

BOYS
Class 1A
1. Eagleville (19-2) – 49 (4)
2. Chattanooga Prep (16-7) – 45 (1)
3. Pickett County (17-5) – 39
4. Santa Fe (19-2) – 35
5. Humboldt (19-5) – 29
6. North Greene (19-4) – 24
7. MASE (12-2) – 20
t8. Clay County (13-5) – 8
t8. Richland (15-6) – 8
t8. Wayne County (16-7) – 8
Others receiving votes: University High-Johnson City 5, Middle College 2, Jo Byrns 2, Bradford 1

Class 2A
1. Loretto (22-0) – 48 (3)
2. Alcoa (20-4) – 47 (2)
3. Tyner Academy (17-6) – 38
4. Kingston (20-2) – 29
5. Jackson County (17-2) – 26
6. Gatlinburg-Pittman (18-5) – 25
7. Fairley (14-5) – 24
8. Tellico Plains (20-2) – 14
9. Peabody (18-5) – 11
10. Liberty Creek (17-6) – 4
Others receiving votes: South Greene 4, White House Heritage 2, Eagleton Academy 2, Cannon County 1

Class 3A
1. Upperman (19-2) – 49 (4)
2. Jackson South Side (16-1) – 43 (1)
3. Hume-Fogg (18-3) – 39
4. Fayette Ware (17-5) – 38
5. Jackson North Side (20-3) – 28
6. Tennessee High (19-4) – 27
7. Stone Memorial (17-7) – 17
8. Tullahoma (21-3) – 15
9. Greeneville (13-9) – 9
10. Red Bank (19-5) – 5
Others receiving votes: Knox Carter 4, Obion County 1

Class 4A
1. Whitehaven (15-3) – 45 (2)
2. Hillsboro (20-4) – 44 (2)
3. Bartlett (11-7) – 42 (1)
4. Bearden (21-4) – 34
5. Germantown Houston (17-5) – 29
6. Walker Valley (21-2) – 22
7. Knox West (17-4) – 18
8. Oak Ridge (18-3) – 16
9. Brentwood (16-6) – 8
10. Franklin (16-5) – 6
Others receiving votes: Maryville 4, Blackman 2, Warren County 2, Science Hill 2, Nolensville 1

Division II-A
1. Goodpasture Christian (22-1) – 25 (5)
2. Providence Christian (17-2) – 20
3. Trinity Christian (16-7) – 7
t4. Christian Academy of Knoxville (22-2) – 6
t4. Friendship Christian (18-5) – 6
Others receiving votes: Boyd Buchanan 5, Ezell-Harding 4, Webb School-Bell Buckle 2

Division II-AA
1. Knox Webb (20-2) – 30 (6)
2. Pope Prep (22-3) – 22
3. Montgomery Bell Academy (19-3) – 18
4. Briarcrest Christian (17-4) – 11
5. Lipscomb Academy (15-7) – 4
Others receiving votes: Brentwood Academy 1, Ensworth School 1

Sampson, Lea garner TSWA player, coach of the year awards

January 29, 2025 Forrest Freeman

NASHVILLE – Tennessee’s Dylan Sampson and Vanderbilt’s Clark Lea were voted the TSWA Football Player and Coach of the Year, respectively, for the 2024 season, as announced this week by the organization.

Sampson earned SEC Offensive Player of the Year honors from the Associated Press and league coaches, helping the Vols to a 10-3 record, a Top 10 ranking and the program’s first College Football Playoff berth. He was selected a Second Team All-American by Walter Camp, the FWAA, Sporting News and USA Today and was a First Team All-SEC selection.

The Baton Rouge, La., native shattered school single-season records in rushing yards (1,491), rushing touchdowns (22), total touchdowns scored (22), points scored (132) and consecutive games with a rushing touchdown (11). He led the SEC in nine different categories, including rushing attempts (258), rushing yards, rushing touchdowns, 100-yard rushing games (10), rushing yards per game (114.7), points scored, points per game (10.2), all-purpose yards (1,638) and all-purpose yards per game (126.0).

In conference-only games Sampson was even better, leading the league in nearly every rushing category, including yards (1,051) and touchdowns by a running back (12). His 22 rushing touchdowns tied for fifth in SEC single-season history and were the most by an SEC player since 2020. He helped the Vols to wins over rivals Alabama and Florida, rushing over 100 yards in each and combining for five touchdowns in those games.

Lea garnered SEC Coach of the Year accolades, leading the Commodores to their best season in over a decade. Vanderbilt posted a winning season and won a bowl game for the first time since 2013, defeating Georgia Tech in the Birmingham Bowl.

The Commodores hit a number of historic milestones during the 2024 campaign, defeating the nation’s top-ranked team with a 40-35 victory over Alabama, a first in program annals. It was the first win over the Tide since 1984 and the program’s first win over a Top 5 team in 60 tries.

The Commodores followed with a win at Kentucky to give the program its best start since 2008. Lea’s squad clinched its first bowl appearance since 2018 with a win at Auburn, the program’s first-ever at Jordan-Hare Stadium. It marked the first time since 1955 Vanderbilt defeated Auburn and Alabama in the same season.

The Birmingham Bowl win over the Yellow Jackets marked the first win over Georgia Tech since 1941, snapping a six-game skid in the rivalry for the Golden Cowbell.

A listing of past football player and coach of the year award winners may be found at https://www.tswaonline.com/alltime-playerscoaches-of-year.

TSWA honors college players of the week - Jan. 28

January 28, 2025 Forrest Freeman

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Carson-Newman senior forward John Zhao helped lead the Eagles to a 2-0 week with big scoring efforts as he built momentum toward this week’s selection as the Tennessee Sports Writers Association’s Men’s Basketball Player of the Week.

The Sevierville native averaged 25.5 points and 6.5 rebounds as he helped the Eagles to an 89-74 win over Mars Hill and an 81-79 victory over Anderson. He was also named the WePlayed Sports South Atlantic Conference Player of the Week.

Against Mars Hill, Zhao scored 17 points, then followed it up with a career-high night with 34 points as he keyed a 15-point comeback victory over Anderson for his seventh career 30-point night. He scored 23 points in the second half alone.

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL: On the women’s side, Vanderbilt freshman guard Mikayla Blakes continued her strong play this season, averaging 28.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 2.0 steals as she led the Commodores to a pair of victories to earn the Women’s Basketball Player of the Week award.

The Somerset, N.J. native opened the week with a 24-point effort in a 101-60 victory over Arkansas – Vanderbilt’s sixth game this season over the century mark – as she knocked down four 3-pointers with two rebounds, three assists and a steal. Three nights later, Blakes made program history as she scored 33 points on the road at No. 19 Alabama – the most by a freshman on the road in Commodore history – to lead Vandy to its first road win over a ranked team since beating No. 24 Missouri in 2016.

Blakes was 10-for-21 from the field and 10-for-12 at the free-throw line. She also recorded five rebounds, an assist and three steals.