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Postseason basketball has finally arrived! Now that we’re on the home stretch of the 2023-2024 high school basketball season, why not make some picks to rile fan bases up?
Nothing does that quite like predicting who will leave Cookeville and Murfreesboro with gold in hand.
Admittedly I cover Midstate teams so there are several teams from around the state that I haven’t gotten to see in person yet. That doesn’t mean I’m not well-informed.
Between watching film and conversations with reporters from around the state, here are the six teams I settled on who I think will end the season as state champions:
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Class 4A: Bartlett
Size, speed, the ability to hit a shot from anywhere on the court, Bartlett has it all.
The Panthers have been ranked as one of the state’s top teams all season and for good reason. I was impressed watching them at CPA’s Christmas tournament and penciled them in then as the team to beat in Class 4A this season.
Class 4A seems like it’s always hard to pick but I think this is Bartlett’s year. The Panthers have been knocked out of the postseason the last three years by the eventual state champ. With this group, I think they finally raise that gold ball for the first time since 2001.
Honorable Mention: Hillsboro
Class 3A: Fulton
I remember watching Fulton two seasons ago and thinking that they’d be the team to beat last year. They proved me right cruising to last season’s Class 3A title.
The Falcons brought back a lot from that group and are poised to repeat. Sitting at 26-2 entering the postseason, Fulton’s 12 of their last 13 games and eight straight.
Anything can happen but Fulton not making it back to Murfreesboro to defend their crown would be the biggest surprise to me.
Honorable Mention: Upperman
Class 2A: Douglass
There’s only one undefeated team in the state right now and that’s Douglass. Not only are the Red Devils undefeated, they’ve done it in dominant fashion.
Winning by an average of just over 32 points per game, Douglass has only had four games decided by less than 10 points. While some could argue that they haven’t played the toughest schedule compared to other teams, the Red Devils win and they win by a lot.
I could see a Whites Creek or Gatlinburg-Pittman testing the Red Devils but until they lose, I’m not betting against Douglass.
Honorable Mention: Whites Creek
Class 1A: Union City
I’d make the argument that there’s not a team more battle-tested in Class 1A than Union City this season. The Golden Tornadoes have five losses on the year but none were against 1A teams.
That slate of losses includes a pair losses to 3A Dyer County (24-2), 3A Melrose (17-7), unbeaten Hamilton Heights and Central Harding (Ky.).
Malaki Brooks has played at a different level this year night-in and night-out. Union City is much more than a one-man team, but Brooks is the difference-maker and I don’t see any 1A team that can slow him down.
Honorable Mention: Harriman
Division II-AA: Brentwood Academy
Is this a homer pick? Sure. Am I betting against Tyler Tanner in the postseason? Absolutely not.
I could very easily see a Baylor, Knox Webb or Pope Prep winning this season’s DII-AA title with as good as those teams are. However, I just can’t imagine Tanner not ending his high school career raising another gold ball.
The Eagles are the champs until someone knocks them off and as long as Tanner’s on the court, I’m not picking against them.
Honorable Mention: Baylor
Division II-A: Goodpasture
As hard as it was to pick the DII-AA winner, DII-A is even harder. When it came down to it, I’m just going with the defending champs until someone knocks them out.
I think the DII-A will ultimately come down to Columbia Academy, Goodpasture and PCA as the favorites. The Cougars could bounced out early though as they face a very good talented BGA team Wednesday in a pivotal elimination game.
They get through that game, a run to Cookeville is likely and no one in the state as been better there the last few seasons than Jayden Jones and co.
Honorable Mention: Columbia Academy
