Championship Saturday Recap: Who Took Home the Titles?

Here we are, championship Saturday. Two teams, (8 total, two in each classification ) who have been on a tremendous journey to get to this point. Everyone's story is different, and no two teams have the same story. Each of them has gotten here on a different path, handled different adversities, and has battled to be one of the final two standing after a long season. This moment right here is what it's all about.   The final day of basketball across the state solidified who will be crowned champion. Though there was a slight weather dodger later in the day, Saturday marked a great day for hoops. Fans drove near and far ( some tuned in on their devices ) to take in the action to see who would be champions of the 2024-25 season. It was a special day for hoops as teams wrote their names in the history books.   Here is a recap of Championship Saturday from the Murphy Center in Murfreesboro, TN.   Game 1- Class 1A   Greenfield vs. Van Buren Co.   This was one of the most exciting matchups of the day. Two teams who come into today's contest looking to capture their first state title. The building was electric as both teams took the court looking to etch their name in the history book.   The game was close right from the start. Throughout the game, there were 8 lead changes, but in the first court, there was a lot of back-and-forth action as the teams got a good feel for each other and the moment they were in.    Van Buren Co. won the first quarter, finishing the quarter out with a 5-point lead as the score was 17-12. Greenfield battled back but still trailed at the half. Coming out of halftime, Greenfield settled in, made some adjustments, locked down on the defensive end, and slowly chipped away at the lead. Van Buren went cold offensively, as they struggled to score, only scoring single digits in both quarters in the second half. Greenfield capitalized on multiple opportunities and eventually took the lead and never looked back. Greenfield was victorious, winning the class 1A championship.   Greenfield 49, Van Buren Co. 46   Player of the game    Had such a stellar tournament where she stepped up in a big way. Just like the other games, she found her groove to help propel her ball club towards capturing the state title. She got it done inside the arc, however, it was her ability to to get a few steals in some clutch moments that really made the difference. A talented young ball player whose stock is rising after great performances in the state tournament games.    Game 2- Class 2A   Westview vs. York Institute    An exciting matchup that had everyone on the edge of their seats. Two teams who took different paths to get to the championship day. Both teams came into the contest looking to prove something and show everyone just how special this ride has been.   Right from the jump, both clubs got after it, with Westview making a little run early. Both teams staggered in the second quarter, where the ball seemed to not want to go in. York trailed at the half 20-12, which was a season-low for this high-powered offense. Coming out the half, adjustments were made as York went on an impressive run scoring 16 points in the 3rd. But it was Westview who rode the momentum wave and made some key buckets down the stretch that saw them take the lead and hold on to it until the very end. Westview finishes as champions in the 2A classification.   Westview 44, York Institute 38   Player of the game    Has had an exceptional tournament where she has led the way for this ball club. She was filling it up as she hit some clutch shots down the stretch. Maddie was the leading catalyst for her ball club scoring 18 points in the championship game. She was 5 for 7 from the free throw line, points that helped seal the deal for her squad. This kid is super talented and plays with relentless energy. A solid kid who is definitely on the upswing.    Game 3- Class 3A   Northview Academy vs. Heritage   Two East Tennessee teams who have some familiarity with one another. Right from the start, you could tell there was a certain type of feeling in the air. Bad blood? Maybe so. These two teams got after it right from the start. This was a back-and-forth affair in the first that saw Heritage win the quarter, 15-14. As the second quarter started, Heritage played with relentless energy and inspired basketball as one of their captains dealt with an injury ([player_tooltip player_id='810476' first='Carsyn' last='Swaney']). They started the second hot and Northview couldn't slow down their run. At the half, it was Heritage with a big lead 36- 23. Northview did come out of the half looking to get back in the game, holding Heritage to only 2 points in the 3rd. Trailing 38-33 going into the 4th, Heritage kicked it up a notch and never looked back as they were able to hold off any momentum Northview tried to put together. The game was sealed when [player_tooltip player_id='810476' first='Carsyn' last='Swaney'] entered the game with 38 seconds, hobbling from a severe ankle injury, and she was able to close the victory with a 3 from the corner. The MTSU signee celebrated with joy as her squad finished and took the 3A crown.   Heritage 63, Northview Academy 43   Player of the Game    Finished the tournament as the MVP of the whole thing. The Carson Newman signee was spectacular as she helped her club win the championship. She was big-time in the interior, finishing through contact and getting free throw attempts where she knocked them down. She was huge on the boards, as she took away any second chance shot opportunities. She made it difficult for anything around the painted area for Northview guards to get off and made it even tough for their bigs to establish a presence down low. A solid kid who played with relentless energy in every outing of the state tournament.    Game 4- Class 4A   Bartlett vs. Bradley Central   There was definitely some bad blood in the arena with these two squads. The two foes that are from opposite ends of the state, seem to square off at this time each season. Out of the last three years, two of the championship games have had these two squads duke it out. Both squads came into this contest on a quest to rewrite the history books.   Bradley Central, coming in on an impressive hot streak, was ready right from the start as they came out the gates hot. Bartlett who had played a tough game the previous night, took a minute to get going. Their shots weren't falling and it seemed like Bradley had tons of energy and just capitalized off Bartlett's missed shot attempts and turnovers. At the end of the 1st, Bradley led 21-4, though the Lady Panthers tried to claw back into the contest. It was more of the same in the second as the Lady Bearettes stepped it up a notch on defense holding Bartlett this time to only 7 points in the quarter. Bradley Central went into the half up 40-11. Bartlett couldn't get nothing to fall in the second half and the defense of Bradley created even more chaos. Bradley Central is back to back to back state champs winning 70-28.   Player of the Game    Always seemed to be in the right spot to knock down shots this game. She was great from the arc as she shot well from deep, going 4-6. She got to the paint as well and finished some high percentage shots. The Samford signee wanted to end her high school career with a bang and she did just that. This heady ball player had an exceptional tournament where she played with poise, scored buckets, and made timely assists to open teammates. She finishes her career as a 3x champ and someone who has helped lead the charge of making this impressive run from Bradley Central. A solid player who is going to be a big asset at the next level.

Here we are, championship Saturday. Two teams, (8 total, two in each classification ) who have been on a tremendous journey to get to this point. Everyone's story is different, and no two teams have the same story. Each of them has gotten here on a different path, handled different adversities, and has battled to be one of the final two standing after a long season. This moment right here is what it's all about.