TN’s Region Semifinals Findings (Part 2)
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Upsets. Buzzer beaters. Big time performances. Last night had something for everyone if you love HS hoops! Taylor Dolente TN #36 SG #10 HEIGHT 5'10" POS SG CLASS 2026 View Profile Taylor Dolente Instagram Twitter State: Tennessee School: Upperman Club:…
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Continue ReadingUpsets. Buzzer beaters. Big time performances. Last night had something for everyone if you love HS hoops!
Upperman had made it back to the Region Championship game vs White County….this time as a 4 seed….defeating Lawrence County 53-26. But, it’s Upperman.
Dolente had 17 points, three 3s, 7 rebounds and 4 steals.
Bella Mullins was held in check scoring wise but still finished with 7 assists.
Upperman versus White could be a classic.
Highlights
Last night, I watched a huge upset as Oakland beat Cookeville: 66-60
Ok…now I understand. Last night I watched Alonna Poole Alonna Poole 5’11” | SF Oakland | 2024 State TN but Oakland on her back and carry them to victory. She scored 30 versus one of the stingiest defenses in the state. PG Amaya Nash Amaya Nash 5’6″ | SG Oakland | 2026 State TN handled the Cookeville pressure, hit gaps hard, and made all the right plays (14 points, 6 assists).
Now we get a Oakland versus Blackman rematch for the 3rd time this year. Should be a classic!
Isabella Garcia
Isabella Garcia
This is my “In Honor Of” post. It’s been a real honor to watch Isabella Garcia play basketball. The senior keeps her head down, and simply competes. By all accounts, she’s great player and even better person. I’m sorry to see your career end kiddo….but you did it the right way!
She finished with 23 points, 9 rebounds, and 5 blocks in her last HS game.
Big shout out to Cookeville on a phenomal season, and they were super fun to cover. Cara Lee Gilbert Cara Lee Gilbert 5’3″ | PG Cookeville | 2026 State TN is a scoring sensation that also gets after it on D. Allie Gillies Allie Gillies 5’8″ | SG Cookeville | 2026 State TN is about to turn into a PROLIFIC shooter next season (just watch). Charlie Roby Charlie Roby 5’6″ | PG Cookeville | 2026 TN , Hudson, Horner….it’s just a roster full of kid that play the right way. I know the season didn’t end how you wanted….but it was still a GREAT season.
Gilbert finished with 14 points. Charlie Roby Charlie Roby 5’6″ | PG Cookeville | 2026 TN had 8 points 4 rebounds, 1 block, 3 assists. Macy Hudson Macy Hudson 5’8″ | SG Cookeville | 2025 State TN had 18! rebounds and a block.
Highlights
Last night, Blackman defeated Lebanon 43-38 to advance to the Region Championship vs Oakland. Blackman has got hot at just the right now…..and officially have put the state on notice.
And, as luck would have it, I just got done writing about Lyriq Mastin Lyriq Mastin 5’7″ | CG Blackman | 2025 State TN as a breakout candidate for next season. Well….she decided not to wait—as she exploded for 24 points. Aaiyanna Dunbar Aaiyanna Dunbar 6’2″ | C Blackman | 2024 State TN had 9, and Kaelyn Flowers Kaelyn Flowers 5’6″ | PG Blackman | 2024 State TN (District MVP) was held to 8 in a really low scoring affair.
Highlights
White County came into last night having won 12 straight, but Stone Memorial gave them a legit scare. White County won however, 56-48, and will now face 4 seed Upperman in the Championship.
Huge shoutout to Lakelyn Grasty Lakelyn Grasty 5’7″ | PG White Co | 2026 State TN as she had the game of her life, and finished with 18. The playoffs are all about–do you have kids that can answer the questions the opposition creates. White County has so many weapons that you can’t guard them all! And Grasty proved it last night.
I thought Stone’s game plan to make sure White’s sophomore shooters didn’t get hot was good…but Grasty was accounted for and she made big shots in big moments.
Celeste Reed had 21 points and 9 rebounds in the win.
Highlights
Shoutout to this 23-24 Lebanon team. This club was a joy to cover because of their unique combination of experience and youth—which will only be magnified next year as they return everyone. They finished 23-9 with a team full of underclassmen….and the future is bright! TK Hastings, Tiara Spencer Tiara Spencer 5’8″ | PG Lebanon | 2026 State TN , EB McDonald EB McDonald 5’10” | SG Lebanon | 2027 TN , Maggie Kate Kelley Maggie Kate Kelley 5’11” | PF Lebanon | 2027 TN , Nakiya Withrow-Walker all return next season. I’m already excited to watch!
Carlee Lowry Carlee Lowry 5’9″ | SF Signal Mountain | 2025 State TN has led Signal Mountain back to the Region Championship game with a 57-27 win over Lenoir City. Lowry was dominant as the Miss Basketball candidate exploded for 23 points and 18 rebounds. She had eleven rebounds in the first half alone.
Shoutout to Soddy Daisy senior Alivia Hall Alivia Hall 5’9″ | SG Soddy Daisy | 2024 State TN on a tremendous career, and helping lead the revitalization of a Soddy program. Hall surpassed 1,000 points for her career this season, and is certainly one of the best Soddy players over the last 15 year. She scored 15 in her final game. Well done young lady!
Soddy finished 20-13, and have won 43 games over the past two seasons. Alivia Hall Alivia Hall 5’9″ | SG Soddy Daisy | 2024 State TN has played a huge role in that.
Heritage defeated Soddy Daisy 65-48, and somebody told Carsyn Swaney Carsyn Swaney 5’11” | PG Heritage | 2025 State TN that they playoffs had begun…so she simply dropped 32 and 9. Chloe Heath Chloe Heath 6’0″ | SF Clinton | 2025 State TN added 17, and Jay Coker had 10. When your 3 All-District 1st Teamers combine for 50….you have a great chance of winning….especially with how Heritage defends.
The Lady Hawks have reached the Region Championship again, and another substate performance. This time, the future Murray St. Racer had herself a triple-double in the win: 14 points, 12 rebounds, 11 steals, and 5 assists. She.Is.Different.