The Cloudland 'Landers drew the Temple Crusaders for quarterfinal action on Wednesday. The game will be play at 1:30. Below is a quick look at the 'Landers first round opponent, Temple.
Temple Crusaders (26-6)
The Crusaders represent District 5-A. They are the only team not to win their region to advance to the state tournament. Temple’s Jeremy Sexton is a Mr. Basketball candidate and the Crusaders earned their seventh state berth in the last eight years and eighth appearance in the last 11 seasons. Temple is located in Chattanooga.
Their route to the ‘Boro:
Temple entered the region tournament as a #2 seed. However, it didn’t make a difference to the Crusaders as they defeated Sale Creek by 40 then got by Chattanooga Arts and Sciences 55-46 to advance to the region title game. In that title game, Temple fell to Grace Baptist Academy 74-42. However, Temple traveled to Clay County and came away with the 64-50 victory to claim a trip to the ‘Boro.
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.
Avery High's baseball game scheduled at Thomas Jefferson Classical Academy this afternoon has been postponed and has been rescheduled for April 8th. Cranberry Middle School's scheduled home game against Bowman has also been postponed.
The Avery Lady Vikings soccer team will be playing as scheduled this evening at 6 p.m. as they host the Ashe County Lady Huskies at MacDonald Stadium. Avery is 2-0-1 on the young season, shutting out its last two opponents by a combined 12-0 margin.
The Avery baseball team fell 7-3 at Wilkes Central Eagles on Tuesday evening. Adam Pate got the start of the Big Red and pitched two innings on the mound before Brooks Oakley came on in relief for 2 1/3 innings of work. Sutton Stanley also came on in relief for the Vikings to close out the contest.
Avery found itself trailing 5-3 in the top of the 6th inning with the bases loaded and one out, but were unable to capitalize as back-to-back strikeouts quelled the rally. Wilkes tacked on a pair of insurance runs in the bottom of the frame to seal the hard-fought win.
"I was proud of how the guys battled," Avery head coach Benny Wellborn remarked following the game. "The guys were into the game and we rallied back and didn't quit."
Avery's baseball game at Hampton for Thursday afternoon has been postponed. A combination of Hampton's girls basketball team's appearance in the Tennessee state basketball tournament, as well as the inclement weather in the region forced the Bulldogs to cancel this afternoon's tilt.
No official make-up date has been set. Avery baseball is scheduled for a game tomorrow (Friday, 3/13) at Thomas Jefferson Classical Academy, but weather may force its postponement as well.
This afternoon's intracounty baseball and softball contests between Avery Middle School and Cranberry Middle School have been postponed due to weather. No scheduled make-up date has been set.
Below are a list of the seven teams that will be joining CHS at the State Tournament in Murfreesboro for the 1-A state championships. We will have more information on each team as the week progresses.
Clarksville Academy Summertown Grace Christan Grace Baptist Academy Temple Humboldt Manassas
There is major construction taking place on Broad Street (Highway 41/Murfreesboro Road) between the Broad/Memorial Blvd. intersection and the Broad/Church Street intersection. This will make it difficult for anyone trying to access the square in Murfreesboro. You can cross Broad Street from Old Fort Parkway as it becomes Memorial Blvd.
There is a new exit that many people traveling to Murfreesboro for the first time in a while are not aware of. Exit 80 (New Salem Hwy.) could be used as an alternate route, and for some, a quicker route to MTSU. If you are coming from Nashville on I-24, take exit 80 and turn left at the ramp. If you are coming from Chattanooga on I-24, take exit 80 and turn right. You would take a right at the 2nd light (Middle Tennessee Blvd.). Stay on this, and it will lead you directly to MTSU.
