Region Championship Recaps (Part 1)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We look deeper into Lorretto vs Summertown, GP vs Alcoa, and the rivalry of the night: Farragut and Bearden.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lorretto defeated Summertown (44-40) for the Region Championship. Lorretto (26-3) was trailing 17-12 at the half, but came out hot in the 2nd. [player_tooltip player_id='409003' first='Ally' last='Weathers'] scored 18! of her 22 in the 2nd half. Summertown came out aggressively switching everything in the 1st half, and it threw the Lorretto offense out of sorts, but they hit a big 3rd quarter run, and held off a late Summertown surge. Ally Weather had 22, [player_tooltip player_id='878066' first='Emily' last='Cozart'] had 6, and [player_tooltip player_id='290977' first='Jenny' last='Clifton'] had 5.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>All Tournament Team: [player_tooltip player_id='900238' first='Suzanna' last='Crews'], Cascade; Abilyn Teter, Canon County; [player_tooltip player_id='290972' first='Emily' last='Brazier'], Karlie Campbell, Summertown; [player_tooltip player_id='822374' first='Ally' last='Augustin'], [player_tooltip player_id='290977' first='Jenny' last='Clifton'], [player_tooltip player_id='878066' first='Emily' last='Cozart'], Loretto</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>MVP -- [player_tooltip player_id='409003' first='Ally' last='Weathers'], Loretto</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["409003"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"The Region Tournament MVP put on a 2nd half show scoring 18 of her 22 in the second half.  She also scored 9 of Loretto's final 14.  Ally Weather's put her team on her back and refused to let them lose.  Defensively, the efforts of Cozart and Clifton locking down the Summertown offense really helped cement the win in the 4th.  [player_tooltip player_id='409003' first='Ally' last='Weathers'] is a winner.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65e08763ef438"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gatlinburg Pittman (32-3) avenged a loss to Alcoa last week by dominating the Region Championship game 68-53. Miss Basketball finalist [player_tooltip player_id='245364' first='Maddy' last='Newman'] dominated inside in the first half establish the tone early. GP continued to go to Newman in the post, and Alcoa had 10 early turnovers, giving GP an early lead they never gave up. [player_tooltip player_id='435647' first='Maliyah' last='Glasper'], '26, was named tourney MVP as she scored 22. [player_tooltip player_id='245364' first='Maddy' last='Newman'] finished with 21. [player_tooltip player_id='877998' first='Leah' last='Stinnett'] had 14, [player_tooltip player_id='900232' first='Addi' last='Wear'] 7, and [player_tooltip player_id='513232' first='Nya' last='Burns'] 4.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For Alcoa, [player_tooltip player_id='245367' first='Amelia' last='Pfeiffer'] had 12, Gwen Carrol 9, Halle Bailey 9, Bella Daughery 9, Kara Pitts 6, [player_tooltip player_id='810560' first='Maddy' last='Stewart'] 5, and freshman [player_tooltip player_id='816717' first='Jacy' last='Cox'] with 3.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>MVP -- [player_tooltip player_id='435647' first='Maliyah' last='Glasper'], 2026</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["435647"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Early in this season, we called Glasper GP's u0022x factor.u0022  GP knows what Newman will give them, but for a team to truly compete for a state championship, you need multiple reliable and consistent offensive threats.  When Glasper and [player_tooltip player_id='513232' first='Nya' last='Burns'] and [player_tooltip player_id='877998' first='Leah' last='Stinnett'] give GP the secondary scoring around Newman they need....it brings them to a new level.rnrnAnd Glasper leveled up in the region tourney.  Scoring 22 in the Region Championship, while knocking down three 3s, she's turning the corner into an athletic scoring wing that can score from all 3 levels.  If GP wins a state championship, Glasper will continue to play a huge role.rnrnu0026nbsp;","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65e08763ef4ce"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Farragut Lady Admirals defeated Bearden 56-49 for a Region Championship....and in a super hostile environment. Farragut's season has been a fascinating one (they were 7-10 on December 30th) of adversity, injuries, losing streaks, winning streaks--but Coach Mayfield kept his crew steady and they aren't scared of Bearden...proven by the fact they split. Farragut will host Dobyn's Bennett.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For Farragut, [player_tooltip player_id='816585' first='KJ' last='McNealy'] '26 was named tourney MVP. She finished with 16 and 10. [player_tooltip player_id='810510' first='Annie' last='Priest'] had 14. [player_tooltip player_id='810591' first='Jaci' last='Neubert'] 8, [player_tooltip player_id='851812' first='Mya' last='Johnston'] 6, freshman [player_tooltip player_id='821738' first='Trinity' last='Curry'] had 5. Total team win for this Farragut club peaking at the right time!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For Bearden (30-3), they will now travel to Sevier County for their substate game. [player_tooltip player_id='513233' first='Natalya' last='Hodge'] had 24, [player_tooltip player_id='516540' first='Aisha' last='Patel'] 8, Kendall Murphy 6. Bearden just couldn't produce enough secondary scoring around Hodge.....and that will continue to be the test for them. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>MVP -- [player_tooltip player_id='816585' first='KJ' last='McNealy'], 2026</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["816585"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"My goodness, [player_tooltip player_id='816585' first='KJ' last='McNealy'] just cemented herself as a premier '26 wing in TN.  She's the epitome of a modern wing with a diverse skill set.  She was tremendous on both ends for Farragut throughout the tournament, and has really leveled up as a consistent scorer.  She scored 12 of her 16 last night in the 4th.  Her rebounding numbers are off the chartsu002du002dand rebounds are the most translatable stat from one level to the next.u003cbru003eu003cbru003eI can guarantee [player_tooltip player_id='816585' first='KJ' last='McNealy'] will be a high level rebounder in college one day....it's just who she is.  I've spoke to multiple coaches that simply rave over her ability to be a high level instinctual rebound.  Like Dennis Rodman, she just know where they ball will be.  She just u00222nd jump explosionu0022 to go after tipped balls.  She has long arms.  She's aggressive.  She has u0022it.u0022  I expect her stock to skyrocket.  How many 5'11 wings are out there that can do what she does?  I watch basketball everynight....and I just don't see many kids like KJ.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["810510"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"Priest is the heartbeat of Farragut.  She's everything you'd hope for in a PGu002du002da vocal leader, uber competitive, fearless, coach's kid with high IQ.  When [player_tooltip player_id='810510' first='Annie' last='Priest'] is playing well....she unlocks Farraguts other scorers.  They don't have any one kid that scores 20....but a bunch of kids that can score 10-16 points.u003cbru003eu003cbru003eAnd Priest is the engine that makes them go.  And on top of that....she knows when she needs to be the scorer.  She is a fearless shot maker (I've seen lots of u0022shot takersu0022 but very few u0022shot makersu0022.  [player_tooltip player_id='810510' first='Annie' last='Priest'] was a shot maker last night finishing with 14.u003cbru003eu003cbru003ePriest set the tone from the get go.  She was the aggressor and the Lady Admirals fed off her energy and confidence.  She scored 9 first half points.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["240760"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"I believe that [player_tooltip player_id='821738' first='Trinity' last='Curry'] is going to be really, really good.  The freshman post was patient has she earned her way into the Farragut rotation.  Coach David Mayfield won't put you on the floor unless you're a varsity caliber defender, and Curry had to take some time to catch up to the speed of the varsity gameu002du002dwhich is normal.u003cbru003eu003cbru003eBut since Christmas, she's been different!  She doesn't look to score much (but I watched her in MS AAU...and the kid can score), but instead she simply stars in her role.  She's a really gifted passer that sees the floor well, and she's turned into a weapon against zone....as her hi/low passing is superb.  She takes pride in being a plus defender and rebounder, and being a high IQ offensive ball mover that takes what the D gives.  I've really enjoyed watching her stay patient, trust the process and coaching staff, and then take advantage of her oppurtunities.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["516540"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"Patel had 8 last night for Bearden....and I thought looked great.  When teams double the Hodge ball screen, Patel inevitably finds a lot of open looks, and she's begun to bury them with confidence.  She hit 2 big threes in a late Bearden push, but ultimately the Bearden defense wasn't enough.rnrnFor Patel....the sky is the limit.  She's a 6'0 wing that is turning into a lights out three point threat.  That's a matchup nightmare, as with her length, she's so hard to get a true contest of her shot.  She's a modern wing if I've ever seen one!","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":4,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65e08763ef53d"} /-->