BY JESSE SMITHEY
Three more area high school basketball standouts recently announced their plans to play Division I college basketball.
Here’s more on decisions by Cam Swearengen (Webb), Cade Murphy (Catholic) and Natavia Alber (Northview Academy)…
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CAM SWEARENGEN PLEDGES TO SOUTH DAKOTA STATE
Cam Swearengen and the Webb School of Knoxville Spartans face the Knoxville Catholic Fighting Irish in a Division II-AA East Region contest on Thursday, Jan. 23, 2025, in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Danny Parker)
When the Webb School of Knoxville boys’ basketball team begins play for the 2025-26 season, they’ll do so as defending state champion and with a roster loaded to defend the crown.
A significant piece in that Webb lineup will be Cam Swearengen, a 6-5 senior guard/forward.
Now that he’s got his college commitment out of the way, expect an even more focused Swearengen.
He committed to South Dakota State on Sept. 27.
Swearengen earned Division II-AA State Tournament MVP honors in the Spartans’ state championship win on March 8 in Cookeville.
An All-5Star Preps selection, Swearengen averaged 11.4 points, 5.2 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game as a junior.
“I chose South Dakota State because of Coach (Bryan) Peterson and Coach Cole (Christian). They were one of the two programs that believed in me enough to offer me and recruit and build a relationship with me through a multitude of conversations and zoom sessions,” Swearengen said. “They made me secure about what it would be like moving so far away from home, made their vision for me clear — and even before my visit there, I knew that’s where I needed to be.
“The campus is beautiful. Outstanding facilities. And the people make it an even better place.”
High school athletes from Tennessee, especially from the Greater Knoxville Area, don’t wind up playing college sports in the Dakotas.
Swearengen didn’t see that as a point of pride that he quite possibly may be the first from this area to head that way.
For him, he wanted the fit to be right, no matter where it was.
“Not pride, but I just see going there the same as I would any other school in any other region of the states. It’s a place where I know I can be successful and grow as a player/person. Never would I have thought I would end up at a Dakota school. But Cole Christian, a former Murray State assistant, got the job up there and told Coach Peterson about me. And he saw me play at 3SSB Nationals, and it was up from there.
“Being possibly the first kid from this area to go to a Dakota school hopefully should inspire everyone to be OK with taking a different path than everyone else. It may be what is best for you.”
CADE MURPHY COMMITS TO EASTERN KENTUCKY
Cade Murphy (15) and the Knoxville Catholic Fighting Irish locked up with Webb for a Division II-AA East Region contest on Thursday, Jan. 23, 2025, in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Danny Parker)
Knoxville Catholic High School basketball standout Cade Murphy’s career trajectory has been aimed at the Division I ranks for quite some time, especially after his junior season.
The 6-5 Murphy, who has already topped the 1,000-point plateau for his career, earned All-5Star Preps First Team honors by averaging 22.1 points, 8.2 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game for the Irish during the 2024-25 season.
He made good on his potential on Oct. 2 when he committed to Eastern Kentucky University.
Murphy felt a connection with his style of play and EKU’s, as well as the campus in Richmond, Ky.
“I would say the biggest thing is it just felt like,” Murphy said. “The coaches really feel like family and the relationship we’ve built makes me super comfortable in choosing them.
“Also, it’s a really big college town where the community really rallies behind the program.”
NATAVIA ALVER COMMITS TO BUFFALO
Natavia Alber (2) and the Northview Cougars took on the Dyersburg Trojans in a TSSAA Class 3A state tournament semifinal at the Charles M. Murphy Athletic Center on Friday, March 14, 2025, in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. (Photo by Danny Parker)
Natavia Alber, a 6-foot power forward, committed to Buffalo, announcing her decision on Oct. 5 via social media.
Alber helped the Northview Academy girls’ basketball team reach the Class 3A state championship game back in March.
She averaged nearly two blocks per game in three games at the state tournament, twice posted double-digit rebounding marks and made the all-tournament team.
“Buffalo is a top mid-major program in the country, having just won the WNIT last year,” Alber said. “And coaches are confident I can make an immediate impact next year, so I’m excited to get on campus.”
“I love the coaching staff and their coaching style,” Alber added. “I’m going to learn so much from them. Their playing style fits my game perfectly. Buffalo is a great sports town. I’ve already had fans welcoming me to the city. It’s going to be an amazing experience.”
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