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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:
POSTSEASON AWARDS: Mr. and Miss Basketball finalists announced
SNUBBED: Who Joe thinks was snubbed as a Mr. and Miss Basketball finalist
Class 4A: Bradley Central
Is there an in-state team that can beat the Bearettes this year? McMinn Central came close in December losing by 1 but outside of that, Bradley hasn’t had another game against an in-state team decided by less than 10 points.
I said last season that 4A runs through Bradley Central the next few years and I’m sticking to my guns. Sophomore Kimora Fields leads an insanely talented group of players that will be heavy favorites to repeat.
If they weren’t able to repeat this season, that would be the most surprising result of any on both the boys and girls side in my mind.
Honorable Mention: Clarksville
Class 3A: White County
Nothing tops a team winning its first state title in history. However, a team winning their first in nearly 100 years is a pretty close second.
I think that happens this season as White County wins their first girls basketball state title since 1929. Michael Dodgen’s squad seemingly wins 20+ games every season but find themselves on the short end nearly every season on making it to the big dance.
This is the squad that gets them over that hump. Led by Miss Basketball finalist Celeste Reed, not only do the Warriorettes make it to the state tournament for the first time since 1997, I’ve got them bringing home gold.
Honorable Mention: Heritage
Class 2A: York Institute
There’s no class on either the boys or girls side that will be as competitive as Class 2A girls. Between the likes of Cheatham County, Gatlinburg-Pittman, Gibson County, Loretto, McMinn Central, Summertown and York Institute, it’s nearly impossible to pick a winner until that final team is raising the gold ball.
I’ll make a pick though and I’m staying in the Midstate. Give me the Dragonettes.
Miss Basketball finalist Reese Beaty leads a talented squad that’s played one of the state’s toughest schedule’s. If Beaty gets it going, she can take over games and there’s no player on the court who can stop her.
Honorable Mention: Gatlinburg-Pittman
Class 1A: Wayne County
McKenzie’s run the Class 1A girls bracket the last two years winning back-to-back titles. The team bringing home silver each of those seasons? Wayne County.
I think this is the year that the Lady Wildcats’ fortune changes.
It would come as a shock to me if McKenzie’s Savannah Davis doesn’t win this year’s Miss Basketball award. However if I’m looking at the team as a whole, it’s hard not to give Wayne County the edge especially after two straight years of frustrating finishes.
Honorable Mention: McKenzie
Division II-AA: Knoxville Catholic
Ensworth dominated the DII-AA girls scene for years before Knoxville Catholic finally found gold last season. I think they get it done again this season.
Sydney Mains is one of the state’s best and I can’t imagine her not going out on top as a champion. While it seems like the rest of DII-AA is in a bit of a down year, the Lady Irish have done nothing but get better.
They’re undefeated against DII-AA competition this season and I don’t see that coming to an end anytime soon.
Honorable Mention: Hutchison School
Division II-A: Providence Christian Academy
I’d be shocked if a team from the Midstate didn’t win this year’s DII-A girls state title. It’s just a matter of which one does it.
I’m leaning towards the Lady Lions. Daisy Gale’s as good as it gets when it comes to guards and Kayte Bjornstad is going to be a problem for any team PCA faces in the postseason.
My hope is for Goodpasture/PCA final. As good as both teams are, there’s just something about PCA that I think makes them a clear favorite.
Honorable Mention: Goodpasture
