Boys all-state basketball teams recognized by TSWA

April 22, 2020 Forrest Freeman

NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Sports Writers Association announced boys basketball all-state squads on Wednesday for the 2019-20 season. Fifteen players were selected in each Division I class and 10 apiece for the two Division II classifications. Mr. Basketball finalists automatically were members of the team.

Class AAA
Joe Anderson, Maryville, Sr.
Will Pruitt, Mt. Juliet, Sr.
JaCobi Wood, Cleveland, Sr.
Kavion McClain, Whitehaven, Sr.
Alden Applewhite, Germantown Houston, Jr.
Brandon Miller, Cane Ridge, So.
Reed Kemp, Franklin, Jr.
JP Pegues, Hillsboro, Jr.
Grant Slatten, White County, Jr.
Jonathan Milloway, Oak Ridge, Jr.
Wes Maples, Sevier County, Sr.
Kendrick Holland, South-Doyle, Sr.
Quante Berry, Bradley Central, So.
Duane Posey, Memphis East, Sr.
Micah Simpson, Morristown East, So.

Class AA
Edward Lacey, Fulton, Sr.
Johnathan Lawson, Wooddale, Jr.
Tyrone Marshall, Pearl-Cohn, Sr.
Marcus Fitzgerald Jr., Pearl-Cohn, Sr.
Jaylen Jones, East Nashville, Fr.
Alex Rush, Upperman, Jr.
Dylan Bartley, Sullivan East, So.
Ty Hurst, Carter, Sr.
Ben Diamond, Sullivan South, Sr.
Nico Ashley, Elizabethton, Sr.
Trey Morrow, Scott High, So.
Reid Satterfield, Greeneville, So.
Jon Turner, South Gibson, Sr.
Brandon Maclin, Jackson South Side, Jr.
J.J. Johnson, Jackson South Side, Sr.

Class A
Lucas King, McKenzie, Sr.
Dalton Marsh, Red Boiling Springs, Sr.
Ryley McClaran, Eagleville, Sr.
David Dixon, Memphis Academy of Health Sciences, Jr.
Charterio Porter, Booker T. Washington, Sr.
Zach Amonett, Pickett County, So.
Taylor Groves, East Robertson, So.
Amauri Young, Loretto, So.
Peyton West, Monterey, Sr.
Ben McMillan, Union City, Jr.
Trey Johnson, Cosby, Jr.
Nate Brackett, Rockwood, Sr.
Nathan Bowling, Oneida, Jr.
James Anderson, Madison Academic, Sr.
Kaleb Meredith, University School-Johnson City, Jr.

Division II-A
Alex Anderson, Tipton-Rosemark, Jr.
Moussa Cisse, Lausanne Collegiate, Jr.
Dante Harris, Lakeway Christian, Sr.
Jalen Montgomery, Lausanne Collegiate, Sr.
Luke Burnett, Knox Webb, Sr.
Kam Jones, Evangelical Christian, Jr.
B.J. Marable, Grace Christian Academy-Knoxville, Sr.
JJ Platt, Webb School-Bell Buckle, Sr.
PJay Smith, Goodpasture Christian, Jr.
Mason McKnatt, Grace Christian Academy-Franklin, Sr.

Division II-AA
Kennedy Chandler, Briarcrest Christian, Jr.
B.J. Edwards, Knox Catholic, So.
Chaz Lanier, Ensworth School, Sr.
Marcellus Brigham, Briarcrest Christian, Sr.
Chandler Jackson, Christian Brothers, So.
Akeem Odusipe, Knox Catholic, Sr.
Eric Rivers, McCallie School, Jr.
Nick Kurtz, Baylor School, Jr.
Luke Gdowski, Father Ryan, Sr.
Will Montana, Montgomery Bell Academy, Jr.

TSWA announces girls basketball all-state teams

April 21, 2020 Forrest Freeman

NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Sports Writers Association announced girls basketball all-state teams on Tuesday for the 2019-20 season. Fifteen players were selected in each Division I class and 10 apiece for the two Division II classifications. Miss Basketball finalists automatically were members of the team.

Class AAA
Denae Fritz, Maryville, Jr.
Alasia Hayes, Riverdale, Sr.
Madison Hayes, East Hamilton, Sr.
Destinee Wells, Germantown Houston, Sr.
Se’Quoia Allmond, Whitehaven, Jr.
Carmen Taylor, Arlington, Jr.
Khamari Mitchell-Steen, Oak Ridge, Jr.
Bailey Trumm, Powell, Sr.
Amelia Osgood, Brentwood, Jr.
Julia Duncan, Tullahoma, Sr.
Gracie Dodgen, White County, Jr.
Anna Walker, Bradley Central, Sr.
Mallory Hampton, Rhea County, Sr.
Alasia Smith, Science Hill, Sr.
Jaycie Jenkins, Daniel Boone, Sr.

Class AA
Keeley Carter, Macon County, Sr.
Reagan Hurst, Upperman, Jr.
Khyla Wade-Warren, McNairy Central, Sr.
Tashun Bryson, Mitchell, Sr.
Chara Ferguson, Melrose, So.
Jalynn Gregory, Macon County, Jr.
Larose Morrow, Maplewood, Jr.
Olivia Koontz, Signal Mountain, Jr.
Jacelyn Stone, Meigs County, Jr.
Abbey Crawford, Sullivan Central, Sr.
Jada Harrison, Westview, Fr.
Ivy Bales, Gatlinburg-Pittman, Sr.
Tori Rutherford, Grainger, Jr.
Campbell Penland, Northview Academy, Jr.
Bailey Lee, Red Bank, Sr.

Class A
Tess Darby, Greenfield, Sr.
Chloe Moore-McNeil, Greenfield. Sr.
Karly Weathers, Loretto, So.
Takera Bland, Westwood, Fr.
Kendyl West, Oneida, Sr.
Bralyn McGaha, Cosby, Jr.
Jesse Jennings, Richland, Jr.
Kassie Monday, Clarkrange, Jr.
Kaylie Monday, Clarkrange, Jr.
Madison Williams, Wartburg, Sr.
Rainey Barber, Lookout Valley, Sr.
Lyndie Ramsey, Unaka, Fr.
Brooklyn Anderson, North Greene, So.
Madison Hart, Gibson County, So.
Adyn Swenson, Huntingdon, Sr.

Division II-A
Melaina Bone, Silverdale Baptist, Jr.
Macey Lee, Trinity Christian Academy, Sr.
Carrington Washburn, Christ Presbyterian Academy, Sr.
Brianna Hall, Tipton-Rosemark, Jr.
Megan Sanfratello, Tipton-Rosemark, Sr.
Jennifer Sullivan, The King's Academy, So.
Jordaynia Ivie, Lakeway Christian, Jr.
Ally Welfel, Goodpasture Christian, Sr.
Anna Smith, Grace Christian Academy-Franklin, Jr.
Kate Ford, Notre Dame, Sr.

Division II-AA
Raegyn Conley, Baylor School, Jr.
Dontavia Waggoner, Ensworth School, Sr.
Kaiya Wynn, Ensworth School, Jr.
Maxine Engel, Hutchison, Jr.
Braili Simmons, St. Agnes Academy-St. Dominic School, Sr.
Jazmin Williams, Knox Catholic, Fr.
Jaloni Cambridge, Ensworth School, 8th grade
Maggie Brown, Brentwood Academy, Sr.
Blair Schoenwald, Brentwood Academy, Sr.
Addie Moore, Briarcrest Christian, Jr.

College players of the week honored by TSWA - March 10

March 10, 2020 Forrest Freeman

MEN’S BASKETBALL: Vanderbilt’s Lee earns TSWA Player of the Week
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Vanderbilt’s Saben Lee was named the Tennessee Sports Writers Association’s Men’s Basketball Player of the Week, registering 28.5 points, 6.0 rebounds and 4.5 assists in two victories for the Commodores.

The Phoenix, Ariz., native posted a career-best 38 points with eight rebounds and five assists at Alabama, connecting on 14-of-20 shots overall and 6-for-7 from 3-point range. It marked the second-most points by a Vanderbilt player in a road game in program history.

The junior collected 19 points, four boards, four assists and four steals versus South Carolina to end the regular season. Lee is averaging 18.2 points, 3.5 rebounds and 4.3 assists per contest this year for the Commodores.

2019-20 TSWA MEN’S BASKETBALL PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
November 13 – Jordan Floyd, King University
November 19 – Adam Kunkel, Belmont
November 26 – Precious Achiuwa, Memphis
December 3 – Nick Muszynski, Belmont
December 10 – Ty Parks, Union University
December 18 – Jordan Floyd, King University
January 8 – Jordan Floyd, King University
January 14 – Precious Achiuwa, Memphis
January 21 – Tyree Boykin, Union University
January 28 – Ahsan Asadullah, Lipscomb
February 4 – Tyree Boykin, Union University
February 11 – Jordan Floyd, King University
February 18 – Jordan Floyd, King University
February 25 – Ahsan Asadullah, Lipscomb
March 4 – Precious Achiuwa, Memphis

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL: Middle Tennessee’s Savage earns TSWA Player of the Week
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Middle Tennessee’s Charity Savage garnered Tennessee Sports Writers Association’s Women’s Basketball Player of the Week accolades, averaging 20.0 points and 19.0 rebounds in two victories for the Blue Raiders.

The Memphis, Tenn., native posted 13 points and a career-high 25 rebounds against North Texas, setting a Conference USA record for most rebounds in a league game. It marked the second most rebounds nationally in a contest this year and the most versus a Division I opponent while also ranking second on the single-game rebounding list in Middle Tennessee history.

The senior followed that with a career-best 27 points along with 13 boards in a come-from-behind win at Charlotte, netting 19 of her 27 points in the second half while hitting 10-of-15 shots overall with a pair of 3-pointers. It marked her 12th double-double of the season and 21st outing with double-digit rebounds. Savage is averaging 10.9 points and 11.3 rebounds per game this year.

2019-20 TSWA WOMEN’S BASKETBALL PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
November 13 – Jaelencia Williams, Union University
November 19 – Kayla Marosites, Carson-Newman
November 26 – Charity Savage, Middle Tennessee
December 3 – Anastasia Hayes, Middle Tennessee
December 10 – Deandra Luna, Bryan College
December 18 – Ellie Harmeyer, Belmont
January 8 – Ellie Harmeyer, Belmont
January 14 – Kayla Marosites, Carson-Newman
January 21 – Kesha Brady, Tennessee Tech
January 28 – Ellie Harmeyer, Belmont
February 4 – Aislynn Hayes, Middle Tennessee
February 11 – Anastasia Hayes, Middle Tennessee
February 18 – Ellie Harmeyer, Belmont
February 25 – Ellie Harmeyer, Belmont
March 4 – Kayla Marosites, Carson-Newman

SOFTBALL: Union’s Ward, Maryville’s Bruce garner TSWA Player of the Week honors
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Union University’s Alyssa Ward and Maryville College’s Hannah Bruce earned Tennessee Sports Writers Association’s Softball Player and Pitcher of the Week accolades, respectively, for games from March 2-8.

Ward batted .500 (9-for-18) with four runs scored and eight RBIs along with a double and one home run in five games for the Bulldogs. The Murfreesboro, Tenn., native collected three hits with two RBIs and a run scored in the first game of a doubleheader against Lemoyne-Owen. She added four hits, five RBIs and three runs scored with an inside-the-park homer in the second game versus the Magicians.

The sophomore singled, drove in a run and walked twice in a doubleheader at Montevallo College and doubled in the final game of the series against the Falcons. Ward is batting .273 with 15 RBIs and 15 runs scored in 24 games this season.

Bruce posted two victories and one save, tossing 16.0 innings and striking out 10 while pitching in all four of her team’s games during the week. The Heiskell, Tenn., native allowed one run on four hits with four strikeouts in 5.1 innings of relief for a victory in the first game of a doubleheader versus Hiram College. The freshman struck out four and gave up eight hits in 4.2 innings in the second game against the Terriers.

Bruce worked out of a jam in the seventh inning, getting the final three outs for a save in the first of two games versus North Carolina Wesleyan and tossed a one-hit shutout (bunt single) in the second contest, giving up two walks with two strikeouts. She improved to 5-0 with 17 strikeouts in 27.1 innings over eight appearances.

2020 TSWA SOFTBALL PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
February 11 – Lexi Cushing, Middle Tennessee (Player); Alyssa Arden, Tennessee Tech (Pitcher)
February 18 – Shannon Smith, Carson-Newman (Player); Parker Davis, Union University (Pitcher)
February 25 – Courtney Deck, Maryville College (Player); Emma Hughes, King University (Pitcher)
March 4 – Lexi Osowski, Austin Peay (Player); Gabby Morris, Union University (Pitcher)

BASEBALL: Belmont’s Jarvis, Maryville’s Davis named TSWA Players of the Week
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Belmont’s Logan Jarvis and Maryville College’s Jordan Davis earned Tennessee Sports Writers Association’s Baseball Player and Pitcher of the Week honors, respectively, for games from March 2-8.

Jarvis batted .529 (10-for-19) with two doubles, three home runs, nine RBIs and five runs scored in four victories for the Bruins. The Franklin, Tenn., native posted three hits with a double, a homer and two RBIs in a mid-week win at Western Kentucky.

The junior was 4-for-5 with a home run, five RBIs and two runs scored along with two walks in the second game of a doubleheader at Morehead State. He ended the series with a double, a homer and two RBIs against the Eagles. Jarvis is batting .362 with eight doubles, three home runs, 16 RBIs and 12 runs scored in 16 contests this season.

Davis gave up one run on five hits with 12 strikeouts in a complete-game victory at Brevard College in the first of a three-game conference series. The Maryville, Tenn., native allowed just one runner past second base until a triple in the ninth plated Brevard’s only run.

He struck out a pair of batters in the first, second, fourth, sixth and seventh innings, upping his mark to 3-1 with 51 strikeouts over 41.0 innings this season. He has allowed just 22 hits and six earned runs in his six appearances.

2020 TSWA BASEBALL PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
February 18 – Jason Hinchman, Tennessee Tech (Player); Peyton Wigginton, Middle Tennessee (Pitcher)
February 25 – Jason Bozoian, Union University (Player); Mason Hickman, Vanderbilt (Pitcher)
March 4 – Hunter Goodman, Memphis (Player); Tyler Shaver, Carson-Newman (Pitcher)

TSWA announces college players of the week - March 4

March 4, 2020 Forrest Freeman

MEN’S BASKETBALL: Memphis’ Achiuwa earns TSWA Player of the Week
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – University of Memphis freshman Precious Achiuwa was named the Tennessee Sports Writers Association’s Men’s Basketball Player of the Week, averaging 19.5 points and 14.5 rebounds, including a 22-rebound effort, in two outings for the Tigers.

The Queens, N.Y., native posted 17 points and seven boards in just 20 minutes at SMU, hitting 6-of-7 from the field. He followed that with 22 points and 22 rebounds along with five blocks at Tulane, connecting on 9-of-16 field goals for his 16th double-double of the season.

Achiuwa set a freshman record in the American Athletic Conference with the 22 caroms and became just the third AAC player with a 20-20 performance in league history, joining Jayden Gardner (East Carolina) and Tacko Fall (Central Florida). Achiuwa is averaging 15.5 points and 10.4 rebounds in 29 contests this year and is the only freshman in the nation averaging a double-double.

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL: Carson-Newman’s Marosites earns TSWA Player of the Week
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Carson-Newman’s Kayla Marosites garnered Tennessee Sports Writers Association’s Women’s Basketball Player of the Week accolades, posting 17.0 points and 16.0 rebounds with a pair of double-doubles for the Eagles.

The Elizabethton, Tenn., native netted 12 points with 21 rebounds at UVA-Wise, hitting 5-of-12 shots in the victory. The senior ended the regular season with 22 points and 11 boards versus Newberry College, making 4-of-9 field goals with a pair of 3-pointers. She also connected on 12-of-12 at the foul line

Marosites is averaging 17.8 points and 12.5 rebounds in 28 contests for Carson-Newman.

SOFTBALL: Austin Peay’s Osowski, Union’s Morris garner TSWA Player of the Week honors
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Austin Peay’s Lexi Osowski and Union University’s Gabby Morris earned Tennessee Sports Writers Association’s Softball Player and Pitcher of the Week accolades, respectively, for games from February 24-March 1.

Osowski batted .632 (12-for-19) with six doubles, one home run, 10 RBIs and six runs scored in five games for the Govs. The San Diego, Calif., native doubled and walked against Illinois State and was 3-for-3 with three RBIs and a run scored versus Western Kentucky, including a two-run triple and a run-scoring double.

The sophomore added three hits with two RBIs and two runs scored with a pair of RBI doubles against IUPUI and posted a single and one RBI in the second meeting with Illinois State. In the tournament finale versus IUPUI, she registered four hits with four RBIs and three runs scored, including a two-run homer, an RBI double and a run-scoring double.

Osowski is hitting .442 with nine doubles, two home runs, 14 RBIs and 11 runs scored in 16 contests this season for APSU.

Morris tossed consecutive shutouts at Mississippi College, giving up just three hits with 19 strikeouts over 14.0 innings. The Adamsville, Tenn., native allowed two hits with four walks and 10 strikeouts in a 4-0 victory in the second of three games versus the Choctaws, helping herself at the plate with a three-run homer in the sixth inning.

She gave up only one hit with four walks and nine strikeouts in a 2-0 win in the series finale, accounting for both runs with a homer in the fourth inning. Morris worked around two walks and a hit batter in the sixth inning to preserve the victory. She improved to 7-1 this season with 79 strikeouts in 61.2 innings over 11 appearances this year for Union.

BASEBALL: Memphis’ Goodman, Carson-Newman’s Shaver named TSWA Players of the Week
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – University of Memphis catcher Hunter Goodman and Carson-Newman’s Tyler Shaver earned Tennessee Sports Writers Association’s Baseball Player and Pitcher of the Week honors, respectively, for games from February 24-March 1.

Goodman batted .524 (11-for-21) with three doubles, four home runs, seven runs scored and 24 RBIs in four games, hitting three grand slams in a weekend series against Western Illinois. The Arlington, Tenn., native posted two hits and two RBIs in a midweek contest versus Central Arkansas.

The sophomore registered three hits, three runs scored and seven RBIs with a grand slam in the sixth inning in the series opener against WIU. He collected two hits and two runs scored with four RBIs and another grand slam in the sixth inning in the second game versus the Leathernecks.

Goodman ended the series with 11 RBIs on Sunday, going 4-for-6 with two runs scored. He posted a bases-clearing double in the second inning, a two-run single in the third, a two-run double in the sixth and a grand slam in the seventh inning. He is batting .392 with three doubles, seven homers, 30 RBIs and 12 runs scored in 12 games this season.

In his first start of the year, Shaver tossed eight shutout innings, giving up two hits with 12 strikeouts against Mars Hill University. The Dandridge, Tenn., native walked three and threw 102 pitches over the eight frames.

He worked around two walks and a single in the fourth inning and retired 11 of the last 12 batters he faced. The righthander improved to 2-0 with a 1.42 ERA over 25.1 innings of work, allowing four runs on 10 hits with 34 strikeouts.

College players of the week named by TSWA - Feb. 25

February 25, 2020 Forrest Freeman

MEN’S BASKETBALL: Lipscomb’s Asadullah earns TSWA Player of the Week
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Lipscomb’s Ahsan Asadullah was named the Tennessee Sports Writers Association’s Men’s Basketball Player of the Week, posting 18.5 points, 12.0 rebounds and 6.0 rebounds in two contests for the Bison.

The Atlanta, Ga., native netted 20 points, 10 rebounds, three assists, three blocks and two steals in a come-from-behind win at Jacksonville, hitting 8-of-18 shots overall and 4-for-6 at the foul line. The sophomore center followed that with 17 points, 14 rebounds, nine assists and two steals at North Florida, connecting on 8-of-11 field goals.

Asadullah has recorded 13 double-doubles on the year, including four straight and eight in his last nine games. He has nine contests of 20-plus points, 14 outings with 10-plus rebounds and nine games with five-plus assists. He is also the only player in the nation averaging 17.0 points (17.4), 9.0 rebounds (9.9) and 3.5 assists (3.9) this season.

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL: Belmont’s Harmeyer repeats as TSWA Player of the Week
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Belmont’s Ellie Harmeyer garnered Tennessee Sports Writers Association’s Women’s Basketball Player of the Week accolades, averaging 25.0 points and 16.0 rebounds in two wins for the Bruins.

The Kenosha, Wis., native registered 27 points and 19 boards, hitting 5-of-10 shots and 16-for-17 at the foul line at Morehead State. The senior then collected 23 points and 13 rebounds in 23 minutes at Eastern Kentucky, connecting on 8-of-12 shots and 5-for-5 free throws.

Harmeyer has posted eight 20-point double-doubles in her last 10 outings and has logged double-figure points in all but one contest this year. She remains the only player in the nation that averages over 18 points (19.0) and 12 rebounds (12.1) and has 20 total double-doubles on the season.

SOFTBALL: Maryville’s Deck, King’s Hughes garner TSWA Player of the Week honors
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Maryville College’s Courtney Deck and King University’s Emma Hughes earned Tennessee Sports Writers Association’s Softball Player and Pitcher of the Week accolades, respectively, for games from February 17-23.

Deck batted .750 (9-for-12) with one double, a triple, nine runs scored, three RBIs and two stolen bases in the first four games of the season for the Scots. The Maryville, Tenn., native posted two hits with two runs and a walk against Centre College and singled, scored a run, collected one RBI and walked in the first game versus Webster University.

The freshman added a single, a walk, two runs scored and one stolen base in the second meeting with Webster and was 5-for-5 with a double, a triple, four runs scored and two RBIs in a second contest against Centre. Deck registered seven infield singles and reached on an error as well over the weekend.

Hughes recorded two victories in two complete games for the Tornado. The Rogersville, Tenn., native allowed one run on three hits with nine strikeouts in a 3-1 victory over UVA-Wise, retiring nine straight batters before giving up a solo homer in the fourth inning. The senior set down 11 of the final 13 hitters in the win as well.

She tossed a four-hit shutout against Milligan College, allowing two walks with five strikeouts. Hughes has posted a 2-2 record with a 1.33 ERA over four outings this season, giving up 19 hits in 27.0 innings with 24 strikeouts.

BASEBALL: Union’s Bozoian, Vanderbilt’s Hickman named TSWA Players of the Week
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Union University’s Josh Bozoian and Vanderbilt’s Mason Hickman earned Tennessee Sports Writers Association’s Baseball Player and Pitcher of the Week honors, respectively, for games from February 17-23.

Bozoian batted .455 (5-for-11) in a three-game series against Alabama-Huntsville, posting four home runs, five RBIs and five runs scored. The Chino Hills, Calif., native was 3-for-4 with three RBIs and three runs scored in the second game of the series versus the Chargers, hitting a solo homer in the second and fifth innings while adding an RBI single in the third.

The junior registered two more solo home runs in the series finale, the second one giving Union a 5-4 edge in the next-to-last inning. Bozoian is batting .311 with two doubles, six homers, 12 RBIs and 11 runs scored in 11 contests this season.

Hickman tossed seven shutout innings in the series opener against Illinois-Chicago, giving up three hits with one walk and 12 strikeouts. He matched his career-best in strikeouts in the win and pushed his scoreless innings streak to 17. The Hendersonville, Tenn., native also reached 200 career punchouts in the contest.

Hickman is 1-0 over 12.0 innings in two outings this season, giving up one unearned run on six hits with 15 strikeouts.

2020 TSWA BASEBALL PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
February 18 – Jason Hinchman, Tennessee Tech (Player); Peyton Wigginton, Middle Tennessee (Pitcher)