TN’s 3A, 2A, and 1A State Championship Game Recaps

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Dyersburg (31-4) 41</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Upperman (30-7) 39</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Upperman run through the Big Dance came to and end versus a really complete Dyersburg team. Dyersburg is a team that only won 6 games in the 2021 season, and within a few years, they grew into state champs! Its truly a remarkable story for the program.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If you watched this game, it was treat. Upperman's slow and deliberate pace vs the athleticism and speed game of Dyersburg. Both teams play elite team defense, so it felt like this would be a close one--and boy was it.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>My player of the game was [player_tooltip player_id='821759' first='KayKay' last='Strayhorn'], an absolute top tier '27. When the Dyersburg offense was really struggling in the first half, it was Strayhorn's shooting that kept them in it. She scored 14 points on the night on 5-10 shooting, and 4-7 from three (while playing 29 minutes). [player_tooltip player_id='821759' first='KayKay' last='Strayhorn'] just had "it."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>But, the Co-MVP, and the player actually named MVP by the TSSAA, was Cincy committ Joya Crawford. While she only scored 2 points in the 1st half, she came alive in the 2nd. She finished with 10 points on 4-9 shooting, and 2-6 from 3, with 5 rebounds.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dyersburg's 2nd leading scorer on the season was [player_tooltip player_id='593347' first='Chelby' last='Jordan']. She was held to 7 points on 3-12 shooting, but also added 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 block and a steal. [player_tooltip player_id='593347' first='Chelby' last='Jordan'] is an incredible defender with a growing offensive game. She has wonderful footwork and length once she jump stops in the paint, and is able to get to a variety of finishes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Netala Dixon had 6 points and 6 rebounds. [player_tooltip player_id='890273' first='Kalli' last='Maclin'] had 4 points for the state champs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For Upperman, I thought they played a nice game! I really liked [player_tooltip player_id='804740' first='Bella' last='Mullins'] using her jets to get to the rim, setup backdoor cuts, etc. She was great getting Upperman into their offense and running the show while also being aggressive herself. She finished with 11 points, 3 assists, on 4-7 shooting. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='816649' first='Gracie' last='Butler'] also had a really nice game with 15 points on 6-9 shooting, and 3 assists. [player_tooltip player_id='816597' first='Taylor' last='Dolente'] was 2-5 from three with 6 points and 4 rebounds.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Gibson County (38-1) 49</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Loretto (29-4) 37</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Gibson vs Loretto, and [player_tooltip player_id='290939' first='Micah' last='Hart'] vs [player_tooltip player_id='409003' first='Ally' last='Weathers'], matchup was an entertaining one. [player_tooltip player_id='290939' first='Micah' last='Hart'] had 20 points, 4-6 from three, 7 rebounds, and played all 32 minutes. The kid deserved the MVP award she received from the TSSAA.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A'kira Riding had 12 points on 4-8 from the field, and 2-4 from three. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sania Reeves had 8 points on 2-5 from the floor, and 4-6 from the free throw line. She was tenacious on the boards with 8 total and 5 of those being offensive. Georgia Lannom had 8 points on 4-5 shooting. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For the game, Gibson shot 47% from the floor, and 6-9 from three as a team. They also shot 16 FTs to Lorretto's 7. Lorretto was held to 35% shooting, 3-17 from three (17%). </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='409003' first='Ally' last='Weathers'] had 15 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, 5-11 shooting, and 5 steals. [player_tooltip player_id='878066' first='Emily' last='Cozart'] had 5 points, 3 assists, and 3 rebounds. [player_tooltip player_id='822374' first='Ally' last='Augustin'] had 6 points on 3-7 shooting. [player_tooltip player_id='290977' first='Jenny' last='Clifton'] scored 1 point and a rebound. [player_tooltip player_id='890228' first='Libby' last='Sanders'] had 6 points in 16 minutes. Sophia Weathers had 2 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Pickett County (29-2) 56</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Moore County (27-9) 45</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pickett County finished their nearly perfect season with a convincing win over Moore County.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='409093' first='Callie' last='Reeder'] was named TSSAA MVP with 12 points, 8 rebounds, 1 block and 2 steals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>But, it was Ella Keisling that put on a show for the crowd! She got hot and scored 18 points, on 7-11 shooting and 4-8 from three. What an amazing state championship performance for that young lady!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='409090' first='Emmy' last='Lowe'] scored 10 on a perfect 4-4 from the field and 2-2 from the line. She also added 5 rebounds, and 2 steals. Lowe is always a big-game kid!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Addy Lowe added 6 points and four rebounds. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='514124' first='Zoey' last='Nicholas'] had a great line of 5 points, 7 assists, 7 rebounds, and 2 steals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For Moore, the simply need more. Elle Graham was good scoring 12 points, 9 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 steals. Katie Fletcher added 10 points, 4 rebounds and 2 three's. [player_tooltip player_id='1097519' first='Emma' last='Sazonov'] had 13 points in only 21 minutes with three 3's and 4 rebounds.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->