DIVISION II STATE TOURNAMENT PAIRINGS ARE SET

In Class A the field of four consists of Grace Christian from Knoxville, Knoxville Webb, the Webb School from Bell Buckle just outside of Nashville and Lausanne located in Memphis. 

Lausanne is the defending state champion and has the horses to make the run again. Led by Sky Forrest (Lausanne) and freshman sensation Alden Applewhite (Lausanne), who dropped 28 in the semi-final win propelling the Lynx into the state bracket. 

Knoxville Webb will be a formidable foe for anyone with the high scoring backcourt duo of Chase Ridenour (Knoxville Webb) and Myles Rasnick (Knoxville Webb). 

Keon Johnson (Webb School) the sophomore sensation leads the Webb School into the dance as the team to watch out for. 

Grace Christian is led by 2019 Oakland University commitment and Mr. Basketball finalist C.J. Gettlefinger (Grace Christian) and another high scoring junior guard in Grant Ledford (Grace Christian). The Rams tasted state tournament glory the past couple of season while in classification ball but now get to experience the dance in the private school setting. 

In Class AA the field features the two-time defending state champions Brentwood Academy, Baylor from Chattanooga, Briarcrest from Memphis and Memphis University School. 

Darius Garland (Brentwood Academy) leads the Eagles and really doesn't need anymore said about the mission they are undertaking. 

Baylor has a host of talented players including senior wing Patrick Urey (Baylor), junior guard Beyoun Hendricks (Baylor) and top notch freshman guard Randy Brady (Baylor). 

Cedric Henderson (Briarcrest) leads the Saints back to the dance. Keep a look out for one of the top freshman in the state with lead guard Kennedy Chandler (Braircrest) running the show. 

MUS gets the nod with a last second victory over McCallie. They are led by Zach Street (MUS) and John McBride (MUS). 

EVERYBODY IS CHASING MEMPHIS EAST IN CLASS AAA.....WHAT ABOUT CLASS AA AND A

You follow basketball at all in this state and you are aware of the exploits of Memphis East. Two time defending Class AAA state champions and they haven't lost a game to an in-state team in countless years. Can anyone challenge them? Lets find out. 

Blackman may come into the state tournament unblemished if everything holds to form with regional semi-finals going down this Tuesday. The Blaze take on city foe Oakland for what should be a battle. Trent Gibson (Blackman) and Brandon Thomas (Blackman) lead the charge for Coach Wortman and crew. 

On the other side of the state, Knoxville Bearden also hasn't lost to an in-state team this season and are poised to get that match-up with the mighty Mustangs. They tangle with a tough and well coached Maryville squad in the region semis. The Bulldogs are led by a trio of juniors in Ques Glover (Bearden), Trent Stephney (Bearden) and Drew Pember (Bearden). 

Who else?

Cordova: anybody that has Tyler Harris (Cordova) on their team can win many games. 

Northeast: Talented and led by up and coming junior Alec Kegler (Northeast)

Riverdale: Has size and confidence

Brentwood: Coaching and discipline

Franklin: Great shooter in Reece Glover (Franklin) 

And finally a regional semi-final contest between Southwind and Whitehaven should produce the other Memphis team that advances to the state tournament. Southwind has Mark Freeman (Southwind) and Whitehaven is solid with Jacksonville State signee Cameron Jones (Whitehaven) and big time sophomore guard Matthew Murrell (Whitehaven). 

IN CLASS AA HERE ARE FIVE WHO MOST CERTAINLY WILL CHALLENGE FOR THE CROWN:

Memphis Hamilton: The move to AA has spurned state tournament talk since the start of the season. Led by talented guards Martrell Brooks (Hamilton) and Jordan Johnson (Hamilton) this could be the time for the Wildcats.

East Nashville: The Eagles were the top ranked team in the state in this classification for most of the season. They lost their unbeaten season in the district semi-finals but came back strong in the region opener. Led by Mr. Basketball finalist Jayden Lockett (East Nashville) and Gene Holmes (East Nashville) they are poised to keep the Class AA gold ball in Metro Nashville. 

Fulton: The Falcons from the East side are always dangerous and this year is no exception. They fell to Alcoa in the district title game but came back to earth with an easy region opening trouncing of Northview Academy. Edward Lacey (Fulton) and Trey Davis (Fulton) make up a formidable backcourt that can go off at any minute. Dangerous group is also well coached, with legendary mentor Jody Wright at the helm.   

Stratford: This Nashville group is loaded with athletes all over the floor. Can they pull it together and continue to play as they have majority of the last portion of the season. Juwon Carpenter (Stratford), Jahari Reed (Stratford) and Mike Wallace (Stratford) are names everyone around the state will soon be familiar with. 

Only five choices well I need more room so lets throw a few more in there including Alcoa, Mitchell, Marshall County and Haywood. 

CLASS A LETS PICK FIVE WHO SHOULD REPRESENT AT THE MURPHY CENTER

Class A brings us a couple new contenders and the defending state champions may have another chance at making it back as well. 

Douglass: This Memphis crew just moved down to this level and have been the top ranked team in the state towards the end of the season watch for them to make a serious run at the gold ball and bring it back to Memphis.

Middleton: They may have the best player in among the remaining squads in Tylandrius Parks (Middleton) 

Monterey: Big man in Bryan College signee Michael Cody (Monterey) they could cause a stir. 

Harriman: The defending state champs are poised for another run but will have to battle a solid Oakdale squad, they could both make the trek to the boro if things work out right. 

Humboldt: Always dangerous the Vikings stumbled a bit in the district tournament but took down the top seed in the region opener, could they be poised to make it back to state and claim their title.