0
0
The girls basketball season comes to an end later this week as the best of the best from around the state head to Murfreesboro looking to finish the year with a gold ball.
Some teams enter tournament week as overwhelming favorites. Others are looking for the right end to their Cinderella story.
What teams bring home gold when it’s all said and done? Here’ who they have winning and why:
Class 1A
Cam Reid
Greenfield 55, Wayne County 48: The Lady Yellow Jackets knock off Wayne County in a back and forth slugfest.
Chris Brooks
Greenfield 60, Gordonsville 56: Gordonsville survives a tough quarterfinal with Wayne County and runs to the title game, but the defending champs refuse to relinquish their crown.
Ephraim Rodenbach
Greenfield 55, Gordonsville 40: Greenfield enters as the favorite to repeat. Gordonsville’s defense won’t be enough to stop Rayanna Fisher’s scoring.
Jake Hood
Richland 61, Gordonsville 55: Richland will avenge its 2025 semifinal exit at the hands of Greenfield en route to its first finals appearance since 1983 and first ever state title.
Joe Spears
Greenfield 53, Wayne County 47: Rayanna Fisher and Ella Porter lead the Lady Jackets to their second straight title and third since 2018.
Konner Cornett
Richland 49, Gordonsville 38: Richland is another battle-tested small school that has what it takes to bring it home, but a tough Gordonsville squad could definitely give them problems.
Scott Burton
Van Buren 58, Gordonsville 52: Makenize Herron should be healthy for the run, but the Eaglettes’ Cara Mills is a matchup nightmare at 6’3” and averaging nearly 14 points and seven rebounds per game.
Class 2A
Cam Reid
Gatliburg-Pittman 62, Westview 49: GP finally strikes gold in the Murphy Center after 8 appearances in the last 10 years.
Chris Brooks
Westview 53, Gatlinburg-Pittman 50: Westview’s a traditional power and those programs usually find a way in crunch time.
Ephraim Rodenbach
Gatlinburg-Pittman 56, York Institute 53: This matchup features York’s physical defense against Gatlinburg-Pittman’s guard-driven offense. Maliyah Glasper will be the deciding factor for the Highlanders.
Jake Hood
York Institute 59, Gatlinburg-Pittman 58: The Lady Dragons beat Gatlinburg-Pittman in the 2025 semifinals before losing to Westview in the championship. The 2A gold ball will be headed to Jamestown in 2026.
Joe Spears
Gatlinburg-Pittman 55, Loretto 47: Is this the year the Lady Highlanders get it done? In a wide-open 2A field, this feels like as good a time as ever for them to win their first gold ball.
Konner Cornett
Westview 45, Huntingdon 33: Huntingdon is a great defensive team, but I think Westview has what it takes.
Scott Burton
Westview 47, Smith County 44: Smith County coach Matt Farrell loaded the schedule early to have the Lady Owls ready for tourney time. It’s paying off. However, the dual guard play of Ashley Brent and Lila Trevathian is a very tough out.
Class 3A
Cam Reid
White County 51, Dyersburg 46: The Warriorettes have found their best ball at the most important time. They are battle tested out of maybe the toughest district in the classification and win a tight one.
Chris Brooks
White County 59, Alcoa 49: Give me the Warriorettes to pull away late over a battle-tested Alcoa team in what should be an entertaining bracket.
Ephraim Rodenbach
White County 62, Alcoa 53: White County’s balanced scoring and depth make the Warriorettes a tough matchup over four quarters. Following a blowout of Heritage, White County is poised to make a run.
Jake Hood
White County 63, Daniel Boone 57: White County thrashed a very talented Stone Memorial team to punch their ticket to the Glass House. The Warriorettes roll to their first title in nearly a century.
Joe Spears
Alcoa 57, White County 50: The Lady Tornadoes have quietly put together one of the best resumes in the state this year. Playing that tough schedule propels them to their first gold ball.
Konner Cornett
Liberty Creek 52, Daniel Boone 49: Daniel Boone’s tough schedule against larger schools has prepared them for this stage, but with Liberty Creek losing only four games all season, I’m taking the Wolves to win their first-ever basketball championship.
Scott Burton
Liberty Creek 53, Dyersburg 52: Why not the Lady Wolves? This pack of seniors have played together since before the school opened. They are in a loaded region, but Maisen Lewis can set them up and Emerson Fitzwilson will knock them down.
Class 4A
Cam Reid
Bradley Central 68, Bearden 55: Domination. Dynasty. 4 in a row!
Chris Brooks
Bradley Central 78, Bearden 65: If Bradley Central’s in the bracket, I’m not picking against them. Period.
Ephraim Rodenbach
Bradley Central 58, Bearden 55: Following a blowout win over Mt. Juliet, the Bearettes are on course for an undefeated season and a golden ball.
Jake Hood
Bradley Central 63, Bearden 60: Bradley Central is unbeaten for a reason. The Bearettes will claim their fourth consecutive gold ball.
Joe Spears
Bradley Central 69, Bearden 62: Kimora Fields caps off an unbelievable high school career leading the Bearettes to their fourth consecutive 4A title and upping the win streak to 52 games.
Konner Cornett
Bradley Central 81, Page 68: Bradley Central remains undefeated and while Page is solid, it’s hard not to side with Bradley Central off pure dominance.
Scott Burton
Bradley Central 62, Bearden 57: Is “Dynasty” ok to use if you get your 4th gold ball in a row? Kimora Fields will be looking to pick up ring #4 and it will come at the expense of a very talented Bearden team.
