Wednesday, March 18th (all times central)
10:00am Humboldt vs. Manassas
Humboldt Vikings (33-0)
Humboldt is representing District 14-A in the ‘Boro. Coach Thomas Boykin’s Vikings ended the season ranked #1 in the AP 1-A poll. Humboldt has become a staple at the state tournament, but did not get to make the trip last season as Manassas tripped them up in the substate round. This season, the Vikings are back look to finish the season undefeated.
Their route to the ‘Boro:
Humboldt started the regional tournament in style as they cruised past Clarksburg 97-57. The Vikings dispatched the Union City Tornadoes, a former CHS foe in the 2006 state tournament as the Tornadoes went on to win the title, 56 -44 to advance to the regional championship. In that game, Humboldt cruised past district foe Lake County 72-54, and then punched their ticket to Murfreesboro with a 75-49 victory over Scotts Hill in the substate round.
Manassas Tigers (26-2)
The Tigers will be representing District 16-A at the state tournament. The Tigers feature Mr. Basketball candidate Reginald Buckner who entered the sectional against Lake County, who was ranked #2 in the 1-A poll most of the season, with an 18.9 scoring average. Manassas looks to get revenge from last season where they fell to Union City in the state championship game 83-81 at the Murphy Center last season.
Their route to the ‘Boro:
Manassas entered the Region 8 tournament as a #1 seed from District 16-A. The Tigers crushed Adamsville 83-57 in the opening round, then escaped district foe Middleton 49-45 to advance to the title game. In that title game, the Tigers brushed aside Scotts Hill with a 71-59 victory then defeated Lake County 67-56 in the substate round.
11:45: Grace Baptist vs. Knox Grace
Grace Baptist Academy Golden Eagles (26-5)
Grace will represent District 5-A in Murfreesboro. The Golden Eagles feature 6’ 9” Patrick Shaughnessy as they look to get back to the championship game in the Murphy Center. The Golden Eagles fell to Union City, the same team that knocked the ‘Landers off in that year’s quarterfinals, 68-52 in 05-06 season.
Their route to the ‘Boro:
The Golden Eagles entered the regional tournament as the #1 seed from District 5-A. They cruised past Lookout Valley in the first round 85-38 then made quick work of South Pittsburg 74-60 to advance to the regional championship. In the title game, Grace beat Temple 78-71 and punched their ticket to the ‘Boro with a 74-42 victory over Clarkrange.
Grace Christian Academy Rams (27-6)
The Rams will represent District 3-A. Grace features a knockout senior combination in Ryan Slusher and Cameron Pridemore who entered the substate round combining for an average of 40 points per game. This will be the Rams second straight trip to the ‘Boro. They got revenge on University High in substate, as the Jr. Bucs knocked off Grace last season in the quarterfinal round.
Their route to the ‘Boro:
The Rams entered the Region 2-A tournament as #2 seed after falling to Rockwood in the Division 3-A title game. Grace beat Onieda 73-63 in the opening round then defeated Oliver Springs 67-61 to advance to the regional title game. In that game, they defeated Rockwood, which set the Tigers up to play Cloudland, by a 53-48 score. In the substate round, Grace paid back UH for last season’s loss at the Murphy Center in a tight 48-44 victory.
1:30: 'Landers vs. Temple (For more information, please check the post above)
3:15: Clarksville Academy vs. Summertown
Clarksville Academy Cougars (27-5)
The Cougars are representing District 10-A in the ‘Boro. Clarksville Academy won the District 1-A regular season title and took the Region 5-A tournament title. They have won five straight games since being upset in the District 10-A tournament.
Their route to the ‘Boro:
CA began the Region 5-A tourney as a #3 seed because they were upset in the District 10-A tournament. They beat Forrest 63-39 in the first round, then escaped Cascade 52-48 the next game. In the regional title game, they beat Eagleville by 12 points. In substate, they defeated Collinwood 72-63.
Summertown Eagles (25-9)
The Eagles of Summertown will be representing District 12-A. Summertown entered the regional tournament as a #2 seed, but would not be denied the regional tournament title. The Eagles lost in the District 12-A title game 77-76 to Collinwood. The Eagles feature Mr. Basketball candidate Wes Long.
Their route to the ‘Boro:
Summertown entered the regional tournament as a #2 seed where they beat Columbia Academy 73-57 in the first round. They defeated Culleoka 59-50 to advance to the title game where they got revenge and defeated Collinwood 54-49. In the substate, the Eagles beat Eagleville by 10 to advance to the state.
The winners of the 10:00 and 11:45 games will meet on Friday at 10:00am. The winners of the 1:30 and 3:15 games will meet Friday at 11:45.
For more coverage on the 'Landers run to the 'Boro, please keep checking the Avery Journal-Times Sports Blog as well as the Avery Journal-Times.
