The Glass House was rocking once again as the TSSAA state playoffs took place with a full set of spectators and fans galore from all corners of the Volunteer state.

Sadly I was unable to attend due to the passing of my Father. Thank you to all the many who offered their prayers and condolences.

I was able to keep up with the tournament through several media outlets and here is my take on the 2022 Tennessee State Basketball Tournament.

CLASS A

The state had the pleasure of watching what many of us have known for several years...Taylor Groves (East Robertson) might be the best two-sport athlete in the state in any classification.

The Ole Miss football signee was outstanding leading the Indians of East Robertson to the Class A crown with a 67-42 triumph over Peabody.

Groves netted 24 in the title game and was named MVP of the classification for his efforts.

Elijah Groves (East Robertson) added 18 in the championship contest.

DeMarkus Kee (Peabody) and Derek Kee (Peabody) dropped 17 and13 respectively for the runner-ups.

Peabody advanced to the title game with a win over defending state champion Clay County and Mr. Basketball winner Grant Strong (Clay County).

The Indians escaped in their opening state tournament contest besting MAHS behind 27 from Groves. Then got past another tough opponent 58-56 over perennial participant Hampton. Groves again busted out with 27 markers.

The all-tournament team consisted of:

Taylor Groves (East Robertson) MVP
Grant Strong (Clay County)
Morgan Lyons (Hampton)
Jason Hunt (Peabody)
Derek Kee (Peabody)
Demarkus Kee (Peabody)
Malik Ganaway (Peabody)
Shaun Groves (East Robertson)
Jordan Barnard (East Robertson)
Elijah Groves (East Robertson)

CLASS AA

The favorite from the jump, East Nashville showed the members of Class AA who the big dawg would be winning their state tournament games by an average margin of 15.3 points per game.

The Eagles bested Milan 72-55 to bring the gold ball back to the Metro Nashville family.

East was led in the title game by nationally ranked junior guard Jaylen Jones (East Nashville) who finished with 20 markers and was named MVP of the classification.

Jodarius Robinson (Milan) equalled game high scoring honors with 20 in the title game and made his name known with a big state tournament run, that included a 38 point outburst in the opener.

Jarrod Taylor (East Nashville) was equally outstanding for the victors scoring 16 in the title game and leading the team in scoring for the event at 19.3 points per game.

The all-tournament team consisted of:

Jaylen Jones (East Nashville) MVP
P.J. Hillman (Power Center Academy)
Keelan Jackson (Tyner Academy)
Nehemiah Bloodsaw (Tyner Academy)
Jodarius Robinson (Milan)
Kam Tharpe (Milan)
Jordan Crawford (East Nashville)
Jarrod Taylor (East Nashville)
Michael Armstrong (East Nashville)
Cullen Cleaves (East Nashville)

CLASS AAA

Jakobi Gillespie (Greeneville) made a statement heard loud and clear as the newly crowned Class AAA Mr. Basketball scored 25 points and the Green Devils dispatched perennial state participant Jackson Southside to capture another state title 77-48 in dominant fashion.

Reid Satterfield (Greeneville) added 21 while Terry Groves (Greeneville) finished with 12 for the victors.

Rico Sain (Jackson Southside) led the Hawks with 17.

The Green Devils took the crown last year in Class AA and with the added classification found themselves moving up this season. Didn't seem to make a difference...did it.

Gillespie, who was named MVP of the classification, was magical throughout the event including a sic 32 point effort in the only game the Green Devils met a challenge a 59-55 win over a well coached Stone Memorial group.

The Green Devils won their games by an average of 22.3 points per game. Dominant I tell ya.

The all-tournament team consisted of:

Jakobi Gillespie (Greeneville) MVP
Denaj Kimber (Fulton)
Tyler Lee (Fulton)
Matthew Bilbrey (Stone Memorial)
Cade Capps (Stone Memorial)
Rico Sain (Jackson Southside)
Jaylen Cole (Jackson Southside)
Reid Satterfield (Greeneville)
Adjatay Dabbs (Greeneville)
Terry Groves (Greeneville)

CLASS AAAA

A brand new classification did little to disappoint as Dobyns-Bennett bested Bearden in overtime 69-60 to capture the inaugural state title in Class AAAA.

Jack Browder (Dobyns-Bennett) saved his best for last dropping 30 points in the title contest for the Indians. Malachi Hale (Dobyns-Bennett) added 16. Browder was named MVP of the classification for his work.

Hayden Moseley (Bearden) led the Bulldogs with 25 including the deep three at the buzzer to send the game into overtime. Elijah Bredwood (Bearden) added 13 in the narrow defeat.

The Indians made their way to the title game with an opening round win over Coffee County then needing a last second shot from Hale to move past Bartlett into the title game.

Bearden's road was filled with obstacles beginning with Brandon Miller (Cane Ridge). The McDonald's All American dropped 30 but the Bulldogs prevailed in the end. Next up was super junior Jared Hall (Lebanon) yet the Bulldogs fought their way to the championship.

On an interesting note, this was the first time since 1995 that a team from West Tennessee was not in the title game of the state's largest classification.

The All-Tournament team consisted of:

Jack Browder (Dobyns-Bennett)
Jarred Hall (Lebanon)
Jaylen Abston (Lebanon)
Amarr Knox (Bartlett)
Darian Bailey (Bearden)
Hayden Moseley (Bearden)
Elijah Bredwood (Bearden)
Jonovan Gillespie (Dobyns-Bennett)
Malachi Hale (Dobyns-Bennett)
Brady Stump (Dobyns-Bennett)

TOP INDIVIDUAL SCORING EFFORTS AT THE 2022 STATE TOURNAMENT

Jodarius Robinson (Milan) 38pts vs. York Institute
Amarr Knox (Bartlett) 33pts vs. Bearden
Jakobi Gillespie (Greeneville) 32pts vs. Stone Memorial
Jack Browder (Dobyns-Bennett) 30pts vs. Bearden
Jaylin Anglin (West Carroll) 30pts vs. Hampton
Brandon Miller (Cane Ridge) 30pts vs. Bearden
Taylor Groves (East Robertson) 27pts vs. Hampton
Taylor Groves (East Robertson) 27pts vs. MAHS
Brady Stump (Dobyns-Bennett) 27pts vs. Coffee County
Elijah Bredwood (Bearden) 26pts vs. Lebanon

TOP SCORING AVERAGES FROM THE 2022 STATE TOURNAMENT (2 GAME MINIMUM)

Jakobi Gillespie (Greenville) 26.3
Taylor Groves (East Robertson) 26.0
Amarr Knox (Bartlett) 24.5
Jodarius Robinson (Milan) 24.0
Grant Strong (Clay County) 22.0
Elijah Bredwood (Bearden) 21.0
Matthew Bilbrey (Stone Memorial) 20.5
J.R. Jacobs (Bartlett) 20.0
Jarrod Taylor (East Nashville) 19.3
Cade Capps (Stone Memorial) 19.0