February Frenzy: Exciting Matchups in Tennessee Basketball

Now that the real basketball season is in the books, we can now turn our attention back to what was dubbed our February Frenzy tournament. As a refresher, this tournament was a make-believe tournament as if there were no state tournament that was based on classifications. All teams were thrown into one big bracket based on their regular season and district tournament performance. It didn't matter if you were private or public, you were thrown all together to duke it out with hopes of being the only champion in the state of Tennessee.   Let's get back to action and finish this tournament bracket out. Hopefully, this model will inspire changes down the road and make our game even more exciting. So, here we go! Let's get back to the action.   Here are today's matchups from Carson-Newman University.   Pickett Co. vs. Gatlinburg-Pittman   Player to Watch:    Senior shooting guard who has committed to IU-Indy. This kid is a sharpshooter from afar, and she can fill it up with confidence. A superb leader, she has (had) an outstanding career at Pickett Co. where she laid the foundation of making PC a solid basketball program. A tough competitor who showed up and showed out when the lights came on. She got after it not only scoring the basketball, but contributing on the defensive end as well. She's a solid contributor who will go on and do great things at the next level.    CAK vs. Sevier Co.   Player to Watch    The Carson-Newman signee is one tough cookie. This kid can play both inside and out, create off the bounce, or spot up along the perimeter. She is a force to be reckoned with as she gets after it on both ends of the floor. She is a heady ball player who excels at leading by example as her teammates follows suit. When she is on, she's on. I have enjoyed covering her as she always seems impressive everytime she steps onto the floor. Talented kid who always puts up a nice body of work every time she takes the court.    CPA vs. Morristown-East   Player to Watch    Stretch 4 who is coming into her own. She use to be someone who would exploit the low block area even displaying an impressive body of work with her back to the basket. However, she has evolved into a kid who can exploit the mid-range, knock it down from the arc consistently, and face up to be her girl off the dribble. She blocks shots and contributes on the boards in a big-time way. Her confidence is writing high and look for her to continue to get better as the years go on. Solid prospect who is going to be a nice addition for a program at the next level.    Wayne Co. vs. Greenfield   Player to Watch    She has turned out to be a solid prospect that will go on to play at the next level. For one, she is a heady ball player who makes the right plays. Defensively, she is going to sit down and guard, stay in between rim and her player, get a few steals throughout the game, and rebound the basketball. On offense, she can attack the rim, but if she is left with any type of time on the perimeter, she splashes it in with confidence. She has been battle-tested, trained up, and is one hungry individual who is impactful with her guard play. Solid kid who will contribute right away at UT Southern.    Jackson South Side vs. Chattanooga Christian   Player to Watch:    It's time to give this girl her flowers as she has proven herself to dominate this level of basketball. For two years no she has been giving upperclassmen fits. Her ability to get to the rim is impressive. Along with her quick first step, her ability to stop and pop, throw in a UTEP- 2 step and this kid is amazing with the basketball in her hands. She has uplifted her program and led the charge as they have done work. She is a tireless worker who gets after it no matter the venue, time of year, or location. She's a big-time athletes who is a guaranteed lock at the P4 level.    Heritage vs. Briarcrest   Player to Watch:    A lunchpail kind of girl who gets the job done. From scoring from multiple spots on the floor to battling in the paint on both ends, her presence are felt both by her team and the physicality she inflcits on her opponents. She can knock down shots from multiple spots on the floor, however when her club needs something big to happen, she steps up and gets it done. In reality, there was a reason why she finished as the MVP in the actual TSSAA tournament. Solid kid with a big future.    Blackman vs. Smith Co.   Player to Watch:    Dynamic point guard who plays with a lot of passion and poise. She can pull up at the arc in transition, utilize her quick first step to get into the mid-range, as well as finish at the rim against contact. She is a fearless leader who causes havoc on the defensive end of the floor. I'm talking about locking the opponent up a full 90ft, making them play timid with the ball. She will be heading to TTU in the fall. She will be a nice addition to the Golden Eagles program for sure.    Knox-Webb vs. Crockett Co.   Player to Watch:    One of the best in her class, this kid gets after it. She has tight handles that enable her to beat a kid off the dribble and get into a favorable spot. From the arc, the mid-range, the painted area, she is money as she shoots it with confidence every time it leaves her finger tips. She's a hungry individual and will lock up on the defensive end as well. She's out to be the best and she shows it every time she steps onto the floor. Look for her to be a major focal point at Clemson as she will be a tremendous asset to the Lady Tigers program. She has the will and the work ethic and will excel on any and every platform. Dynamic kid with a bright future.    Now that we have highlighted a few players to watch, lets now get into the action live from Carson-Newman University!   Game 1               1   2   3   4   F   Gatlinburg- Pittman        1   0   1   1  3   Pickett Co.                      0  1    0   0  1   Gtlinburg -Pittman advances as they start the game off strong and come out the half dominating! They upset a talented Pickett Co. squad hitting some tough shots down the stretch.   Game 2                           1  2  3  4    OT F   CAK                                 1  0  1  0     0   2   Sevier Co.                        0  1  0  1    1    3   Sevier Co. overcame a tough stretch to pull this one out in overtime. The purple and white went toe-to-toe with a talented CAK team and battled. They prevail and advance.   Game 3                      1  2  3  4  F   Morristown East         0  0  0  0  0   CPA                            1  1  1  1  4   CPA handled this game right from the start and didn't look back. They controlled the game right from the tip-off and displayed poise and hit the shots they wanted to take. CPA advances to the next round.   Game 4                    1  2  3  4  F   Greenfield                 0  1  0 0  1   Wayne Co.                1  0  1  1  3   Wayne Co. was just too much for Greenfield. During the first half, the game was close, however coming out of halftime, Wayne Co. grinded it out by being physical in the painted area. Wayne Co. advances to the next round.   Game 5                       1  2  3  4  F   Chatt. Christian           1  1  0 1   3   Jackson South Side    0  0  1  0  1   Chattanooga Christian utilized their athletism collectively to control this game. Girls hit clutch shots down the stretch. They valued each possession and made sure to win the quarter. Chatt. Christian advances to the next round.   Game 6                1  2  3  4  F   Briacrest               0  1 0  0   1   Heritage                1  0 1  1   3   Heritage was tough on the offensive end. Displaying a nice two-man game, this team controlled the pace of play as they hit open shots. Heritage goes onto the next round.   Game 7                 1  2  3  4  F   Smith Co.              0  1  0  0  1   Blackman              1  0  1  1  3   The game went into the half tied up, however it was Blackman who utilized their athleticism to their advantage. They pressed in the second half and caused chaos as they got easy transition buckets. Blackman advances!   Game 8                 1  2  3  4  F   Crockett Co.          0  0  0  1  1   Knox. Webb          1  1  1  0  3   Knox Webb jumped out early and held onto the lead. Crockett Co. tried to make a late surge, but they just ran out of time. Knox Webb goes on to take on Blackman in the next round.

Now that the real basketball season is in the books, we can now turn our attention back to what was dubbed our February Frenzy tournament. As a refresher, this tournament was a make-believe tournament as if there were no state tournament that was based on classifications. All teams were thrown into one big bracket based on their regular season and district tournament performance. It didn't matter if you were private or public, you were thrown all together to duke it out with hopes of being the only champion in the state of Tennessee.