Saturday Morning’s 2nd Cup of Coffee
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Last night was filled with Championship games, District Final Fours, upset wins, big time performances, etc. Last night had something for everyone…. Adison Howard TN #70 PG #17 HEIGHT 5'8" POS PG CLASS 2025 View Profile Adison Howard Twitter State:…
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Continue ReadingLast night was filled with Championship games, District Final Fours, upset wins, big time performances, etc. Last night had something for everyone….
Adison Howard Adison Howard 5’8″ | PG Stone Memorial | 2025 State TN has been sneaky good all season long for Stone. They’ve been tough and competitive in most of their matchups, but unfortunately play in a district that pushes being slightly above average teams. Last night though, none of the season mattered for Stone except for the 32 minutes in front of them.
This is what beautiful about playoff basketball. Stone Memorial upset Cumberland County….and while I’m not certain that the better team won, I am certain that Stone was better for 32 minutes, and that’s all it takes in come tourney time. Be better 32 minutes at a time. Survive.And.Andvance.
Howard was the best player of the floor for large chunks of the game. The ’25 PG controlled the pace, set the tone, played with confidence, defending the tough CC guards, and hit big shots on her way to 16 points.
Highlights
Kinley Loveday Kinley Loveday 5'2" | PG Sevier Co. | 2024 State TN
Kinley Loveday Kinley Loveday 5'2" | PG Sevier Co. | 2024 State TN
Loveday led Sevier County to a tight win over Jefferson County on Thursday night. Loveday knocked down two clutch free throws with 1.5 seconds on the clock to give them the win. The senior also recently surpassed the 1,000 point mark for her career….well done young lady!
Harmonie Ware Harmonie Ware 5’9″ | SG Bradley Central | 2025 State TN is SO DARN GOOD AT BASKETBALL. If you watched her for AL Southern Starz on the EYBL circuit this past summer, she solidified herself as one of the top players in her class. She sometimes gets a bit overlooked, however, on a Bradley Central team that is loaded with college players.
In leading Bradley Central to another district championship last night, Ware also passed the 1,000 point mark for her career. Congrats young lady!
Isabella Garcia
Isabella Garcia
Garcia probably gets my award for the best player I knew nothing about heading into the season. She’s just a gamer! In leading Cookeville to a 63-47 win over Wilson Central, Garcia did her usual thing: 19 points, 11 rebounds, 4 blocks and 2 steals. Just a dominant performance.
Cookeville played really well overall. Cara Lee Gilbert Cara Lee Gilbert 5’3″ | PG Cookeville | 2026 State TN had 15 points. Allie Gillies Allie Gillies 5’8″ | SG Cookeville | 2026 State TN filled the state sheet: 9 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, 4 blocks, 2 steals (look at that line again!). Macy Hudson Macy Hudson 5’8″ | SG Cookeville | 2025 State TN had 8 points 12 rebounds. Charlie Roby Charlie Roby 5’6″ | PG Cookeville | 2026 TN had 8 points.
Heritage beat Loudon 51-24 to advance to the District 5-3A championship game on Monday. Swaney had 20. Jay Coker had 12. Aleyah Smyth Aleyah Smyth 5’9″ | SF Heritage | 2026 State TN has been playing great basketball. Chloe Heath Chloe Heath 6’0″ | SF Clinton | 2025 State TN can turn it on when she wants. This team has another gear they can hit.
Ellie Butler Ellie Butler 5’9″ | SG Livingston Academy | 2025 State TN exploded in Livingston’s district tourney win over DeKalb on Friday night. The ’25 scoring sensation finished with 28 points and a huge first half in which she was simply dominant. Senior Mallie Gene Coleman has also really stepped up her game over the last few weeks, and nobody wants to see Livingston show up on their bracket.
Highlights
The Pearl-Cohn Lady Firebirds are the District 8-AA tournament champs with their win over LEAD. Davis had a huge night with 20 points and 6 rebounds. Erianna Thomas Erianna Thomas 5’5″ | PG Pearl-Cohn | 2024 State TN had her normal incredibly diverse stat line: 11 points 7 assists, 6 steals, and 5 rebounds. And Lamya Robertson had 10 points 7 rebounds. Nice team win.
The Central Magnet Lady Tigets beat Lawrence County 41-39 to advance to the district championship game on Monday night. Addison Melton Addison Melton 6’0″ | SG Central Magnet | 2024 State TN had 13, Madisen Stanley had 12, and Julia Stuible had 10. Not a pretty victory….but at this point in the year…simply win the 32 minutes in front of you.
Highlights
TKA beat Silverdale (47-40) to advance to the Region Championship game today. TKA got a total team performance in this one:
Skylar Walden 13 points, 3 rebounds
Brady Branam 10 points, 14 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 blocks
Liv Loveday 10 points, 4 rebounds
Kyle Young 9 points
In the tourney, you need role players that can get hot, and win you minutes: win an 8-0 run, win a quarter, win a half. Win enough tiny battles, and you eventually win the game. That’s what TKA did in this one! Kids stepping up at the right time when it mattered most.
Highlights
Trinity Garcia
Trinity Garcia
A sneaky good ’27 that I haven’t mentioned yet this season is Trinity Garcia for Summitt. She’s a really nice two-way kid who already plays high level D with elite athleticism. As her skill rises, her upside is huge.
Harper Kate Miles Harper Kate Miles 5’4″ | SG Goodpasture | 2025 State TN and Addi Ruffin Addi Ruffin 5’7″ | SF Goodpasture | 2025 State TN led the Goodpasture Lady Cougars to a huge win over FRA: 48-39. They played masterful team defense, and Miles was simply terrific coming down the stretch making big time plays. They advance to the Region championship game on Saturday night at MTCS.
Highlights
Lebanon had a huge win last night over Stewarts Creek to advance to the district title game. EB McDonald EB McDonald 5’10” | SG Lebanon | 2027 TN , just a ’27, finished with 15 points and 7 rebounds. Naleiya’s Withrow Walker had 9 points, 3 assists, and ZERO turnovers running the show. Ta’kisa Hastings Ta’kisa Hastings 5’7″ | SG Lebanon | 2025 State TN had 8 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals. And ’27 Maggie Kate Kelley Maggie Kate Kelley 5’11” | PF Lebanon | 2027 TN had 8 points and 8 rebounds. Excellent team defense in the win with offensive contributions across the board.
Highlights
Rachel Dunbar
Rachel Dunbar
Rachel Dunbar put on a show in Ooltewah’s consolation game win on Friday night. The senior exploded for 26 points, 10 rebounds, and went an impressive 12/12 from the line.
Allie Tipton also play well….something she’s done all year. She finished with 13 points, 8 rebounds, 8 assists, and 4 steals.
The Lady Owls now face Rhea County in the upcoming Region Tournament.