BY DAVE LINK David Sanger decided to hang up his football cleats before his eighth-grade year at Webb School of Knoxville and focus on basketball. It turned out to be a blessing for Webb basketball coach Ricky Norris. Sanger, a senior … [Read more...]
A.J. Pruitt leads in Bearden boys win at Alcoa; Lady Tornadoes upset previously unbeaten Bearden
By DAVE LINK ALCOA – Bearden senior A.J. Pruitt takes his job as captain of the basketball team seriously. “It means you can’t be nice to everybody all the time,” Pruitt said. “You’ve got to bring the best out of everybody.” The 6-foot-1 … [Read more...]
Alcoa basketball backcourt as good as advertised; but one piece was missing Wednesday
BY DAVE LINK ALCOA – Half of Alcoa’s highly-talented backcourt duo was not on the court Wednesday night. Sophomore guard Tai Cates was on the bench in street clothes for the Tornadoes’ 68-44 loss to Greeneville on the third night of the Holiday … [Read more...]
2020 5Star Preps Girls Golfer of the Year: Lexanne Halama, Farragut
By DAVE LINK Farragut senior Lexanne Halama didn’t play her best golf at the Division I Large Class state tournament on Oct. 6-7, but she wasn’t complaining. She was simply glad to be playing amid the COVID-19 pandemic and making the trip to … [Read more...]
2020 5Star Preps Boys Co-Golfers of the Year: Kaleb Wilson (CAK), Lance Simpson (Farragut)
By DAVE LINK Farragut senior Lance Simpson and CAK junior Kaleb Wilson had vastly different experiences while winning 2020 state golf titles and leading their teams to state championships. Simpson fired a two-day, 13-under 131 Oct. 6-7 and won … [Read more...]
Coach Mike Buck and Stone Memorials girls’ basketball taking the right path as program
By DAVE LINK MARYVILLE – Mike Buck was at a career crossroads in 2015. He had retired from coaching the Stone Memorial boys’ basketball team in May of 2012 and gotten into the sales business. Three years later, the coaching job for Stone … [Read more...]
Mains Family helping transform Lady Irish basketball; McMinn Central coach vocalizes challenge to players
By DAVE LINK MARYVILLE – Catholic freshman Sydney Mains knows how to keep her basketball coach off her back. She ought to know. Her coach is her father, first-year Catholic coach Travis Mains. Sydney’s mother, Missey, is Catholic’s assistant … [Read more...]
Covid-19 has TSSAA wrestling season pinned early; Coaches sound off on challenges, future
By DAVE LINK Pigeon Forge coach Greg Foreman has built one of the state’s top wrestling programs over the years. In his 18th year as the Tigers’ coach, Foreman said there is no secret to their successes on the mat, which includes five Class … [Read more...]
Loudon Redskins ‘not clicking’ but drop unbeaten McMinn Central on Thursday to lead District 5-AA
By DAVE LINK LOUDON – With his team’s offense struggling, Loudon basketball coach Josh Graves turned to its defense Thursday night. The Redskins held previously unbeaten McMinn Central to 12 points after halftime on their way to a 41-31 home … [Read more...]
Farragut freshman Brennon Seigler commits to Tennessee baseball
By DAVE LINK Brennon Seigler always knew where he wanted to play collegiate baseball, and he took a step toward that goal Wednesday morning. Farragut’s freshman outfielder committed to play for Tennessee after getting the offer during the … [Read more...]