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Football’s winding down which means the basketball season is quickly approaching,
The 2024-25 season tips off next week and Middle Tennessee is loaded with teams that should contend for state titles. Before any team takes to the court, we decided to take a look at the 10 large class boys and 10 small class boys teams in our area headed into the year.
Large Class teams include 4A, 3A, and Division II-AA. Small Class teams include 2A, 1A, and Division II-A.
Here’s a look at those 20 teams.
Large Class
1. Hillsboro: Cortez Graham Howard and Xavier Washington head into their senior season leading a group ready to raise a gold ball. Adding in Cookeville transfer Jalen Heard just adds to an already loaded squad.
2. Pope John Paul II: Fred Bailey is gone but the Knights return a majority of a core that led them to the Division II-AA semifinals. Their junior core of Trey Pearson, Osbyn Cavin and  Jarron Talley will keep them as a state contenders for the next two seasons.
3. La Vergne: The Wolverines come into the season after making it to the state tournament for the first time ever last season. That state tournament core is back led by senior Landon Bryant (18 ppg) and Steven Sherman (12 ppg).
4. Franklin: District 10-4A was a cluster last season and should be once again. Led by James Madison signee Christian Brown, we’ll roll into the season with the Admirals taking the top spot in what may be the area’s most competitive district.
5. Ensworth: Last season was a rough year for the Tigers who finished 12-19. However, they added a pair of transfers from Michigan in four-star guard Jonathan Sanderson and 7-foot center Gan-Erdene Solongo who should propel them back into the Division II-AA title mix.
The rest of the top 10
6 . Independence
7. Siegel
8. MBA
9. Cane Ridge
10. Hume-Fogg
Small Class
1. Providence Christian: The Lions were just a few buckets short of raising gold last season and were quickly projected to be back once the new season rolled around. They added four-star junior forward Chris Washington Jr. over the summer to an already loaded core which could be what takes them over the top.
2. Goodpasture: A constant in the Division II-A title scene the last few seasons, the Cougars won’t be going away this season. Senior guard King Keary returns to the group joining Mr. Basketball finalist and Tennessee State signee. Jayden Jones to lead one of the area’s best teams.
3. BGA: Even with the graduation of a Mr. Basketball winner from last year’s squad, the Wildcats will remain in the mix alongside PCA and Goodpasture. The key to their succes will be on the shoulders of their backcourt duo of Arnett Hayes (17 ppg) and Greyson Williams (14 ppg).
4. Whites Creek: The Cobras were the surprise story of the season last year winning 25 games and making it to the state semifinals. Their new head coach Jamonte Graham takes over a team that returns nearly every key piece that made that long postseason run possible.
5. East Nashville: In what could have been viewed as a bit of a rebuild year, the Eagles won 17 games and made the state tournament. Led by a talented group of sophomores like Cortez Murphy and JeVon Carter during that period, their stock only rose entering the new seasons.
The rest of the top 10
6 . Clarksville Academy
7. White House Heritage
8. Eagleville
9. Friendship Christian
10. Pearl-Cohn
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