Baseball all-state teams recognized by TSWA

NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Sports Writers Association announced all-state baseball teams for four classes in Division I and two classes in Division II on Saturday for the 2023 season.

Class A
C: Luke Treece, Coalfield, So.
C: Garrett Gentry, University High-Johnson City, Sr.
IF:  Luke Rector, South Pittsburg, Jr.
IF: Chance Point, Hampton, Jr.
IF: Brady Burns, Eagleville, Jr.
IF: Owen Lee, Peabody, Sr.
IF: J.J. Caudill, Greenback, Fr.
OF: Colton Robbins, North Greene, Jr.
OF: Christian Chandler, Lookout Valley, Jr.
OF: Jace Stone, South Pittsburg, So.
OF: Gage Lovell, Cornersville, So.
UT: Cason Sharp, Bradford, Sr.
P: Brayden Baker, Eagleville, Sr.
P: Kyle Adams, Gordonsville, Jr.
P: Cole Hines, Coalfield, Sr.
P: Josh Jeffcoat, Eagleville, Jr.
P: Eli Scroggins, Van Buren County, So.

Class AA
C: Justin Smith, White House Heritage, So.
C: Clint Seymore, Loretto, Jr.
IF: Cadin Tullock, Chuckey-Doak, Sr.
IF: Eben Hansen, Union County, Sr.
IF: Grayson Burleson, Summertown, So.
IF: A.J. Armstrong, Cannon County, Jr.
OF: Ty Edds, Union County, So.
OF: Kai Correll, Sweetwater, Jr.
OF: Kolton Casson, Polk County, Jr.
OF: Blaine Watson, Sweetwater, Jr.
UT: Colin Milligan, Milan, So.
P: Dylan Loy, Pigeon Forge, Sr.
P: Tyson McFall, Pigeon Forge, Sr.
P: Kaden Stinnett, Union County, Jr.
P: Payton Armour, Meigs County, Sr.
P: Barron Cribbs, Sequatchie County, Sr.

Class AAA
C: Carson Quillen, Greeneville, So.
C: Valentin Batrez, Unicoi County, Sr.
IF: Colton Richards, Greeneville, Jr.
IF: Braden Graves, Gibbs, Sr.
IF: Jake Maddox, Central Magnet, Jr.
IF: Brady Knepper, Greenbrier, Sr.
IF: Andrew Davis, Brighton, Sr.
IF: Breyden Turnage, Dyersburg, So.
OF: Andrew Dingus, Tennessee High, Sr.
OF: Parker Shipley, Greeneville, Sr.
OF: Ben Timblin, Signal Mountain, Jr.
OF: Will Becker, Central Magnet,
UT: Caden Shanks, Upperman, Jr.
P: Carson Flint, Soddy-Daisy, Sr.
P: Brady Smith, Grainger, Sr.
P: Eli Huddleston, Upperman, Sr.
P: Jack Brafa, South Gibson, Sr.
P: Reilly Byers, Gibbs, Sr.

Class AAAA
C: Brooks Wright, Bearden, Jr.
C: Ty Denton, Hardin Valley, Sr.
IF: Lukas Buckner, Farragut, Jr.
IF: Jett Johnston, Farragut, Sr.
IF: Nate Conner, Science Hill, Sr.
IF: Ryan Mitchell, Germantown Houston, So.
IF: Beau Revord, Jefferson County, Jr.
OF: Landis Davila, Farragut, Jr.
OF: Carson Hoffmeister, Hardin Valley, Sr.
OF: Brennon Siegler, Farragut, Jr.
OF: Gage Hoover, Stewarts Creek, Sr.
UT: Thomas Crabtree, Collierville, Sr.
UT: Justin Bell, William Blount, Sr.
P: Harrison Cowdery, Independence, Sr.
P: Drew Mattox, Sevier County, Sr.
P: Christian Henderson, Clarksville, Jr.
P: Cooper Johnson, Beech, Jr.
P: Aiden Schwartz, Stewarts Creek, Jr.

Division II-AA
C: Trent Lyons, Christian Brothers, Sr.
C: Hudson Shoaf, Memphis University School, Jr.
IF: Daniel Parris, Knox Catholic, Sr.
IF: Hudson Lutterman, Knox Catholic, Jr.
IF: Henry Ford, Baylor School, Sr.
IF: Hunter High, Lipscomb Academy, Sr.
IF:  Hutson Chance, Christ Presbyterian Academy, So.
OF: Ian Hubbard, Knox Catholic, Sr.
OF: Caleb Hampton, Baylor School, Sr.
OF: London Humphreys, Christ Presbyterian Academy, Sr.
OF: Bryant Loving, Lipscomb Academy, Sr.
UT: Hudson Calhoun, McCallie School, Sr.
P: Tomas Valincius, Baylor School, Sr.
P: Miller Green, Lipscomb Academy, Sr.
P: Olin Johnson, McCallie School, Sr.
P: Matthew Dallas, Briarcrest Christian, Sr.
P: Riley Goodman, Christian Brothers, Jr.

Division II-A
C: Turner Junkins, Silverdale Baptist, Sr.
C: Kenny Cox, Evangelical Christian, Sr.
IF: Carson Rucker, Goodpasture Christian, Sr.
IF: Hudson Brown, Northpoint Christian, Sr.
IF:  Brodie Johnston, Boyd Buchanan, Jr.
IF: Brooks Jones, Middle Tennessee Christian School, Jr.
IF: Harrison Cassle, Clarksville Academy, So.
OF: Brody Lamb, Silverdale Baptist, Sr.
OF: Luis Castillo, Lakeway Christian, Sr.
OF: Nathan Eisfelder, Providence Academy, So.
OF: Sammy Chapman, Northpoint Christian, Sr.
UT: Wes Alig, Christian Academy of Knoxville, Jr.
P: Connor McKnatt, Northpoint Christian, Sr.
P: Collin Rittenberry, Clarksville Academy, Sr.
P: Tyner Simpson, Providence Academy, Sr.
P: Griffin Graves, Trinity Christian, Sr.
P: Jonathon Van Ness, Christian Academy of Knoxville, Jr.

TSWA announces all-state boys soccer teams

NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Sports Writers Association announced all-state boys soccer teams for three classes in Division I and two classes in Division II on Friday for the 2023 season.

Class AAA
GK: Thomas Fields, Brentwood, Sr.
GK: Logan Nelson, Bearden, So.
F: Lucas Nordin, Bearden, Sr. 
F: Cooper Bailey, Brentwood, Sr. 
F: Brady Hammer, Hardin Valley, Jr. 
MF: Aiden Wilson, Knox West, Sr.
MF: Graham Duncan, Rossview, Sr. 
MF: Jack Raulston, Bearden, Jr.
MF:  Isaiah Neal, Science Hill, Sr.
D: Cole Hutchison, Bearden, Sr.
D: Grayson Cunningham, Dobyns-Bennett, Sr.
D: Gavin Bruce, Station Camp, Sr.

Class AA
GK: Owen Walker, Signal Mountain, Sr.
GK: Mitchell York, Valor College Prep, Sr.
F: Jacob Eubanks, Knox Halls, Sr. 
F: Davin Gleaves, Sycamore, Sr. 
F: Austin Beets, Greenville, Jr.
MF: Drew Shelton, Greeneville, Sr.
MF: Miguel Mata, DeKalb County, Sr.
MF: Christian Sentz, Giles County, So.
MF: Dany Retana, Greenbrier, Jr.
D: Daniel Jimenez, Valor College Prep, Sr.
D: Jad Rahme, Valor College Prep, Sr. 
D: Drew Hillyer, Greeneville, Sr.

Class A
GK: Roy Macias, Madison Academic, So.
GK: Noah Mendenhall, Harpeth, Sr.
F: Donovan Pruitte, Madison Academic, Sr.
F: Jasper Tharpe, Harpeth, Jr.
F: Nick Gilbert, Oneida, Sr.
MF: Gavin Castle, Chattanooga School for the Arts & Sciences, Sr.
MF: Leo Santos, Alcoa, Jr.
MF: Braden Nye, Madison Academic, Sr.
MF: Aidan Jennette, Gatlinburg-Pittman, Sr.
D: Bacon Lauderback, Alcoa, Jr.
D: Wes Hurst, Oneida, Sr.
D: Rio Little, Chuckey Soak, Sr.

Division II-A
GK: Levi Dorsey, Lausanne Collegiate, So.
GK: Hector Larsson, Webb School-Bell Buckle), Jr.
F: Christopher Douglas, Webb School-Bell Bucke), Jr.
F: Mills Wood, Boyd Buchanan, Sr. 
F: Kaue Costa, Lausanne Collegiate, Sr. 
MF: Eli Bailey, Northpoint Christian, Jr. 
MF: Ryan Ruguaru, Lausanne Collegiate, Jr.
MF: Chase Stokely, Christian Academy of Knoxville, Sr.
MF: Hutch Healy, Boyd Buchanan, Sr.
D: Matthew Stone, Boyd Buchanan, Sr. 
D: Chester Evans, University School of Jackson, Jr.
D: Uyi Odeh, University School of Jackson, Sr.

Division II-AA
GK: Hunter Walker, Christ Presbyterian Academy, Sr.
GK: Zach Ubamadu, Baylor School, Sr.
F: Gui Gragnano, Baylor School, Sr.
F: Dylan Capazario, McCallie School, Jr.
F: Pierce Miller, Knox Webb, Sr.
MF: Richard Aylward, Montgomery Bell Academy, Jr.
MF: Hogan Walker, Montgomery Bell Academy, Sr.
MF:  JP Quigley, Knox Webb, Sr.
MF: Phelipe Spielman, Baylor School, Sr.
D: Charlie Duckworth, Christ Presbyterian Academy, Sr.
D: Bennett Tidwell, Montgomery Bell Academy, So.
D: Eli Jackson, Baylor School, Sr.

Softball all-state teams named by TSWA

NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Sports Writers Association announced all-state softball teams for four classes in Division I and two classes in Division II on Thursday for the 2023 season.

Class AAAA
C: Elsa Morrison, Farragut, So.
C: Addison Maurer, Columbia Central, Jr.
IF: Emily Legrand, Green Hill, Jr.
IF: Avary Stockwell, Green Hill, Fr.
IF: Ryan Brown, Independence, Sr.
IF: Maci Masters, Daniel Boone, Sr.
IF: Macy Chastain, Bradley Central, Sr.
IF: Kaylee Bayne, Cleveland, Sr. 
OF: Lauren Johnson, Centennial, Sr.
OF: Saviya Morgan, Columbia Central, Jr.
OF: Addison Pressley, Farragut, Sr.
P: Rylan Smith, Nolensville, Sr.
P: Mackenzie Ventura, Siegel, Fr.
P: Emily Richarde, Arlington, Sr.
UT: Ava Guzowski, Farragut, Sr.

Class AAA
C: Ella Polk, Page, Jr.
C: Jordann Reagan, Gibbs, Sr.
IF: Hallie Meeks, Lincoln County, Jr.
IF: Lynlee Brown, McNairy Central, Sr.
IF: Chanley Price, McNairy Central, Sr.
IF: Macy Meador, Macon County, Sr.
IF: Atiana Stamper, Knox Halls, So.
IF: Grace Hixson, East Hamilton, Sr.
OF: Skylar Gooden, Soddy Daisy, So.
OF: Reese Knox, East Hamilton, Sr.
OF: Hali Phillips, Central Magnet, Sr.
P: Addyson Fisher, Volunteer, So.
P: Laura Walker, Greenbrier, Sr.
P: Bailee Shelton, McNairy Central, Fr.
UT: Lacey Keck, Gibbs, So.

Class AA
C: Olivia Emert, Alcoa, Jr.
C: Morgan Dyer, Union County, Jr.
IF: Esther White, Waverly Central, Jr.
IF: Briley Dover, Loretto, Sr.
IF: Eryca Abbott, Summertown, Sr.
IF: Halle Bailey, Alcoa, Fr.
IF: Macyn Kirby, Forrest, Sr.
IF: Lakyn Rogers, Westview, So.
OF: Hannah Fritts, Johnson County, Sr. 
OF: Maggie Daughirty, Forrest, Jr.
OF: McCall Sims, Westview, So.
P: Lainey Fitzgerald, Meigs County, Jr.
P: Sailor Presley, Kingston, Fr.
P: Braedyn Hazelwood, Westview, Sr.
UT: Ella Baker, Bledsoe County, Jr.

Class A
C: Anna Weems, North Greene, Sr.
C: Shylee Weeks, Cosby, Jr.
IF: Brinli Bain, Eagleville, So.
IF: Kelcie Watts, Gordonsville, Jr.
IF: Allie Spaulding, Dresden, So.
IF: Addison Oliver, Harriman, Sr.
IF: Kaliyah Lucas, Jo Byrns, So.
IF: Keely Williams, Hollow Rock-Bruceton, So.
OF: Anna Garland, Harriman, Sr.
OF: Addyson Linton, Eagleville, So.
OF: Emmaline Whitt, Eagleville, Jr.
P: Kailey Plumlee, Gordonsville, So.
P: Eva Stafford, Dresden, Jr.
P: Ashtyn Danley, Huntland, Sr.
UT: Cambell Gaby, North Greene, Sr.

Division II-AA
C: Riley Oleksik, Baylor School, Jr.           
C: Blair Cherry, Knox Catholic, Sr.
IF: Addie Yates, Baylor School, Jr.
IF: Morgan Sharpe, Baylor School, Jr.
IF: Holly Merritt, Baylor School, Jr.
IF: Chloe Jones, Lipscomb Academy, Sr.
IF: Brooke Harrison, Tipton-Rosemark, So.
IF: Nyla Halfacre, Chattanooga Christian, Fr.
OF: McKamey Bratcher, Girls Preparatory School, Sr.
OF: Addi Lewis, Chattanooga Christian, So.
OF: Lanie Howe, Tipton-Rosemark, Fr.
P: Avery Shamblin, Baylor School, Jr.
P: Hannah Smith, Chattanooga Christian, Fr.
P: Kaylee Snyder, Baylor School, Jr.
UT: Hailey Story, Lipscomb Academy, So.

Division II-A
C: Kacey Pillion, Lakeway Christian, So.
C: McKinley Arnold, Jackson Christian, Sr.
IF: Rose Davis, Middle Tennessee Christian, Sr.
IF: Tori Duval, Columbia Academy, Sr.
IF: Addie Keef, Silverdale Baptist, Sr.
IF: Brooklyn Rader, Davidson Academy, So.
IF: Kate Mullins, Grace Christian Academy-Knoxville, So.
IF: Brooklyn Jones, Goodpasture Christian, 8th grade
OF: Chloe Carter, Columbia Academy, Sr.
OF: Kennedy Stinson, Silverdale Baptist, Jr.
OF: Hailey Brooks, Grace Christian Academy-Knoxville, Jr.
P: Ella Cunningham, Silverdale Baptist, Jr.
P: Anna Brewer, Columbia Academy, So.
P: Katie Fultz, Lakeway Christian, Sr.
UT: Bailey Shepard, Donelson Christian Academy, So.

TSWA announces annual writing contest winners

TSWA 2022 WRITING CONTEST RESULTS
DIVISION 1
GARY LUNDY WRITER OF THE YEAR – 1. Geoff Calkins, Daily Memphian: There wasn’t much separation in the top three places. One writer entered all columns, another two features and a column, and another a mixture of a column, a feature and a news story. Each writer had one entry that stood out, whether it was a column on the 20th anniversary of the Lewis-Tyson fight, a feature on the 10th anniversary of Whitehaven’s state football championship team, or a news story gleaned from obtaining the University of Tennessee’s response to the NCAA about the Vols’ boatload of rules violations. The winner was consistently excellent, able to weave opinions with scenes and memories. 2. Adam Sparks, Knoxville News-Sentinel 3. John Varlas, Daily Memphian.  

BEST COLUMNIST – 1. Geoff Calkins, Daily Memphian: The winner is an excellent example of what a local columnist should be – someone thoroughly connected to his or her city who understands what truly matters to the readership and isn’t afraid to take an unpopular stand. And someone who grabs unique subject matter and knocks it out of the park with a deft writing touch. 2. John Adams, Knoxville News-Sentinel. 3. Adam Sparks, Knoxville News-Sentinel.   

BEST FEATURE WRITER – 1. Adam Sparks, Knoxville News-Sentinel: Winner delivered a trio of fascinating stories from a smartly-written deep dive on Tennessee wide receiver Jalin Hyatt to a wonderfully quirky take of a photobomber from a 1982 picture of a postgame handshake between football coaches Johnny Majors of Tennessee and Bear Bryant of Alabama. 2. Tim Buckley, Daily Memphian 3. Teresa Walker, The Associated Press.

BEST EVENT WRITER – 1. Adam Sparks, Knoxville News-Sentinel: Sometimes as the event unfolds, it grows in so much stature that it can force sensory overload on a writer. The winner of this category didn’t let that happen, particularly with his story of Tennessee’s dramatic football win over Alabama. He inhaled the postgame chaos and weaved it nicely into what he had witnessed the previous 3½ hours. 2. Stephen Hargis, Chattanooga Times-Free Press. 3. Parth Upadhyaya, Daily Memphian.

BEST PREP WRITER – 1. John Varlas, Daily Memphian: Clear-cut winner. This writer’s stories are so full of everything – facts, voices, perspectives, and experienced insight. You can tell this writer writes with enthusiasm and purpose and loves shedding light on subjects that often get overlooked. 2. Stephen Hargis, Chattanooga Times-Free Press 3. Cecil Joyce, Daily News Journal.

BEST INVESTIGATIVE/SERIES – 1. Drew Hill, Daily Memphian: Money well-invested to send this writer to Ja Morant’s hometown to produce the “Becoming Ja” three-part series. There was so much insight, and it was all incredibly well-written. And it had to be because the second and third-place finishers in this category could win a lot of writing contests. 2. Adam Sparks, Knoxville News-Sentinel. 3. Tim Buckley, Daily Memphian.

BEST SPECIAL SECTIONS (ALL DIVISIONS COMBINED) – 1. The Union City Messenger (Kevin Weaks): This section has the extras the others don’t. The graphics are excellent. Headshots of players to watch bordering the left side of the page, the previous season’s results, stat leaders and team stats bordering the right side, and the team schedule along the bottom with a smarty written preview that jumps to a page with a team picture. The area teams in this section must be pleased as well as the newspaper who made a lot of ad revenue off this section. 2. Chattanooga Times-Free Press (Stephen Hargis) 3. Williamson Herald (Charles Pulliam).

NOTE: DID NOT HAVE MULTIPLE ENTRIES TO JUDGE BEST DAILY SECTION, BEST NEWS WRITER, BEST INDIVIDUAL LAYOUT AND BEST OUTDOOR WRITER

DIVISION II and III (COMBINED DUE TO JUST ONE DIVISION II WRITER ENTRANT)
GARY LUNDY WRITER OF THE YEAR – 1. Cecil Joyce, Daily News Journal: A very close call between first and second place in this category. The winner entered three detailed features with plenty of voices and perspectives. The runner-up entered three event stories, including a track story on the girls' 800-meter state champion overcoming severe cramping that stood out as the best individual story among all WOY entries. But as a group of three stories, the winner of this category had a slight edge. 2. Charles Pulliam, Williamson Herald. 3. Kevin Weaks, Union City Messenger.

BEST FEATURE WRITER – 1. Cecil Joyce, Daily News Journal: Three diverse features including a nostalgic look at the 50th-year anniversary of MTSU’s Murphy Center. But what got the writer the win in this category was his deep-dive feature of a one-time runt playing high school football who has become one of the best high school coaches in the state. 2. Charles Pulliam, Williamson Herald. 3. Kevin Weaks, Union City Messenger.

BEST EVENT/NEWS WRITER – 1. 2. Kevin Weaks, Union City Messenger: Two of the winner’s three stories involved conference expansions in the Missouri Valley and the Ohio Valley. These can be complex and confusing, but this writer wrote well-organized, detailed stories with a nice sprinkling of quotes. 2. Charles Pulliam, Williamson Herald. 3. Cecil Joyce, Daily News Journal

NOTE: DID NOT HAVE MULTIPLE ENTRIES TO JUDGE BEST PREP WRITER, BEST COLUMNIST, BEST SECTION AND BEST INDIVIDUAL LAYOUT. A BEST COLUMNIST ENTRY AND A BEST PREP ENTRY WERE MOVED TO DIVISION I.

DIVISION IV
BEST FEATURE WRITER – 1. Graham Hays, Vanderbilt: All three features were thorough but not overwhelming. His standout feature was on Vandy men's golfer Gordon Sargent, an excellent profile that starts with Sargent winning the NCAA individual national championship in a playoff after missing a putt on the 18th hole that could have won it in regulation. Wonderfully descriptive, but not overwritten. 2. Chad Bishop, Vanderbilt 3. Thomas Corhern, Tennessee Tech.

BEST EVENT WRITER – 1. Chad Bishop, Vanderbilt: Each of the winner’s event stories had all the needed elements. Creative ledes, yet the basics (score, team records, when, where, teams involved) were high in the stories. Good story flow. Didn’t get bogged down in play-by-play. Just the right touch of quotes. Took the reader to the scene of the event without overwriting. 2. Thomas Corhern, Tennessee Tech 3. None awarded.

Belmont’s Slaughter, Middle Tennessee’s Swan earn TSWA weekly honors

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Belmont’s Sam Slaughter and Middle Tennessee’s Eriq Swan were named the baseball Player and Pitcher of the Week, respectively, by the Tennessee Sports Writers Association for their efforts in contests from May 8-14.

Slaughter batted .429 (6-for-15) with one double, two home runs, four RBIs and five runs scored in four games for the Bruins. The Smyrna, Tenn., native posted two hits with a walk and two runs scored in a midweek contest against Lipscomb.

The junior doubled and drove in a run in the first of a three-game series versus Valparaiso and belted a two-run homer in the first inning of Saturday’s contest against the Beacons, part of a two-hit day. In the series finale he added a solo home run and scored twice.

For the season Slaughter is hitting .271 with 11 doubles, seven home runs, 23 RBIs and 21 runs scored in 44 games with 36 starts for Belmont.

Swan worked 5.2 hitless innings against UAB, allowing one run with five strikeouts. The Murfreesboro, Tenn., native retired the first 12 batters of the game before issuing a leadoff walk in the fifth, but he induced a doubleplay to erase the runner and faced the minimum through five innings.

The junior righthander set down the first two batters of the sixth before allowing another walk and was pulled from the game. UAB hit a two-run homer later in the inning, with a run charged to Swan. He has struggled through much of this season, posting a 1-6 mark with a 7.41 ERA in 14 appearances covering 51.0 innings, striking out 58 with 37 walks.

2023 TSWA BASEBALL PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
February 21 – Jack Roode, University of the South (Player); Jaden Hamm, Middle Tennessee (Pitcher)
February 28 – Jared Dickey, Tennessee (Player); Chase Burns, Tennessee (Pitcher)
March 7 – Blake Burke, Tennessee (Player); Chase Dollander, Tennessee (Pitcher)
March 14 – Cole Turney, Cumberland University (Player); Jaden Hamm, Middle Tennessee (Pitcher)
March 21 – Gabe Jennings, Middle Tennessee (Player); Hunter Owen, Vanderbilt (Pitcher)
March 28 – Parker Noland, Vanderbilt (Player); Noah Thompson, Lipscomb (Pitcher)
April 4 – Eston Snider, Middle Tennessee (Player); Devin Futrell, Vanderbilt (Pitcher)
April 12 – Austin Kelly, Lipscomb (Player); Logan Van Treeck, Lipscomb (Pitcher)
April 18 – Chris Hall, Lincoln Memorial (Player); Matt Munn, University of the South (Pitcher)
April 25 – Jeremiah Boyd, Middle Tennessee (Player); Jack Keele, Trevecca Nazarene (Pitcher)
May 2 – Christian Scott, Tennessee (Player); James Sells, Middle Tennessee (Pitcher)
May 9 – Joey Parliment, Trevecca Nazarene (Player); Logan Van Treeck, Lipscomb (Pitcher)