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On Wednesday, the final stretch of the basketball season tips off as the boys state tournament gets going in Murfreesboro.
What teams ultimately bring home gold? Our crew took their best shots at figuring that out.
Here’s who they have winning and why:
Class 1A
Cam Reid
Jackson County 65, Eagleville 59: The Blue Devils use last year’s experience to end the Eagles perfect season bid one game short. Will McCrary wins MVP to add onto his Mr. basketball win.
Chris Brooks
Eagleville 64, Jackson County 50: 31-0 turns into 34-0 in impressive fashion as the Eagles take their first state title – and it’s a shame the de facto title game comes in the quarterfinals against Pickett County.
Ephraim Rodenbach
Eagleville 58, Wayne County 45: The undefeated Eagles finish off their undefeated season with a state championship. If the Eagles can beat Pickett County, the gold ball is within grasp.
Jake Hood
Eagleville 64, Jackson County 56: Eagleville may have the harder side of the bracket on paper, but the Eagles will find themselves at the top of 1A for the first time ever.
Joe Spears
Eagleville 53, Jackson County 52: The Eagles cap off an unbeaten season in dramatic fashion claiming the program’s first gold ball in the process.
Konner Cornett
Eagleville 57, Jackson County 52: Eagleville has been on a tear all season and, after already beating Jackson County by 20 earlier this year, I see the Eagles continuing that momentum and taking it home again.
Scott Burton
Eagleville 65, Hampton 59: Mr. Basketball finalist Camden Cole will be the focus of everyone to stop, but the Eagles have some playmakers around him in James Bega and Jackson Nichols.
Tyson Moody
Eagleville 68, Jackson County 60: Eagleville has simply been dominant this year and even in their close games, it hasn’t been close. Our sole team in 1A takes home the golden ball.
Class 2A
Cam Reid
Chattanooga Prep 72, Westview 69: Chatt Prep moves up in class but remain golden with a big performance from Mr. Basketball winner Derrick “DJ” Roberson.
Chris Brooks
Chattanooga Prep 62, Smith County 55: The Owls make some magic in March en route to the title game, but the Sentinels – who haven’t lost a game to a 2A opponent this year – make that record hold up.
Ephraim Rodenbach
Westview 61, Smith County 57: Smith County’s Cinderella run ends in the state championship. Westview’s Cayman Camfield lifts the Chargers to a golden ball.
Jake Hood
Gatlinburg-Pittman 59, East Nashville 57: The Highlanders are in the State Tournament for the first time since 1973; they’ll make up for the half-century drought with a Gold Ball.
Joe Spears
Chattanooga Prep 70, Westview 54: The Sentinels are loaded and led by Mr. Basketball winner Derrick Roberson, they win their third consecutive state title.
Konner Cornett
Chattanooga Prep 66, Westview 62: Chattanooga Prep is the most battle-tested team in the state, and even though not every result went their way, playing teams like Webb, PCA, JP2, Briarcrest Christian, Bartlett, and other tough out-of-state opponents has prepared them for a moment like this.
Scott Burton
Gatlinburg-Pittman 72, Peabody 60: The Highlanders have size and shooters, none more effective than Jayden Barton who averages over 24 ppg. He also leads the team in rebounds and assists. He will find the open shooters or he’ll do it himself.
Tyson Moody
Gatlinburg-Pittman 67, East Nashville 57: The Highlanders get their second boys state championship of the year, as they shut down a very good east offense
Class 3A
Cam Reid
Upperman 75, Fayette-Ware 63: There’s a theme here. Mr. basketball winner Ty Cobb puts on a show in the Glass House, dropping 40 in the State Championship game.
Chris Brooks
Upperman 70, Alcoa 67: If anyone is going to drop 40 in a game this week, it’ll be Ty Cobb. He won’t have to do it, however, for the Bees to win the title against a stout Alcoa team that’ll put up the best fight of the week.
Ephraim Rodenbach
Upperman 63, Tullahoma 55: It’s hard to pick against Ty Cobb regardless of the matchup. The state championship returns to Baxter.
Jake Hood
Upperman 72, Tullahoma 59: Ty Cobb is still the state’s best 3A player, and the Bees are still the state’s best 3A team. Upperman cruises to another championship.
Joe Spears
Alcoa 55, Upperman 54: Don’t let their record fool you, the Tornadoes are one of the best and deepest teams in 3A. Now healthy, they get the job done with what many consider as an upset win over the defending champs.
Konner Cornett
Upperman 72, Tullahoma 69: With Ty Cobb playing at such a high level, I’m giving Upperman the slight edge in a close one.
Scott Burton
Upperman 65, Fayette-Ware 57: The reigning 3A champs return with reigning MVP and current Mr. Basketball Ty Cobb to defend their crown. The Wildcats can match up with the Bees, but they won’t dethrone King Cobb this time.
Tyson Moody
Portland 72, Tennessee 70: Portland ends a historic season with a game-winning three to beat Tennessee who is on their own Cinderella run.
Class 4A
Cam Reid
Bartlett 74, Whitehaven 58: The best team in Tennessee boys basketball proves it this week by winning a loaded class 4A state tourney. Bartlett captures the elusive state title, for the schools 1st basketball championship since 2001.
Chris Brooks
Bartlett 83, Whitehaven 73: Brentwood gives Bartlett a quarterfinal scare, but nobody else comes close as the Panthers snap a 25-year title drought in style.
Ephraim Rodenbach
Bartlett 67, Walker Valley 55: Bartlett’s domination this season continues into the Glass House. Following a blowout of Rossview in substrate play, the Panthers will roll to a state championship.
Jake Hood
Brentwood 66, Whitehaven 64: This one’s the fun pick. If Brentwood can avenge their 2024 ousting to a talented Bartlett squad in round one, they have a chance to make waves in the later rounds.
Joe Spears
Bartlett 72, Whitehaven 60: There’s not a more talented or better team in the state this year than the Panthers. They get the job done for the first time since 2001.
Konner Cornett
Bartlett 81, Blackman 68: With one of the most talented rosters in the state led by DJ Okoth and Dylan Jones, I think Bartlett wins it late.
Scott Burton
Bartlett 81, Walker Valley 68: The Panthers have three players that average over 13 points per game and not a one of them is an upperclassman. DJ Okoth is a beast on the boards and shoots 56% from the field. Zach Davis will keep the Mustangs in it, but Bartlett is just too good.
Tyson Moody
Brentwood 59, Walker Valley 53: Brentwood makes it through two games that could’ve been their own state championship and shuts down Walker Valley to cap off what would be the most difficult state title run.
