College players of the week announced - Jan. 23

January 23, 2024 Forrest Freeman

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – King University freshman Mikhail Pocknett picked up his second straight double-double in as many games as the Wilmington, N.C., native earned this week’s Tennessee Sports Writers Association Men’s Basketball Player of the Week honor for the week of Jan. 15-21.

Against Barton, Pocknett scored 27 points in the contest, while also collecting 11 rebounds. He also set a new personal best in blocked shots with four. Pocknett shot 11-for-23 from the field and also went 5-for-7 at the free-throw line in 37 minutes of action.

The game was his third double-double of the season.

For the season, the freshman is leading the Tornado with a 16.1-point, 6.9-rebound average, collecting 21 assists, 25 steals and 14 blocks to go along with his .449 shooting percentage.

On the women’s side, Tennessee Tech sophomore Reghan Grimes earned the player of the week nod after scoring a career-best 31 points on an efficient shooting night in the Golden Eagles’ lone action of the week in a 86-81 victory at Tennessee State.

The Nashville native shot 10-for-15 from the floor, including one 3-pointer, while she also hit 10 of her 11 tosses at the free-throw line. In addition to her first career double-double, Grimes also collected four assists and had two steals in the conference victory.

The 31 points is the most scored by a Tech player this season and becomes the first Golden Eagle to score that or better since Jordan Brock against UT Martin on Feb. 6, 2021.

All-state cross country teams announced by TSWA

January 19, 2024 Forrest Freeman

NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Sports Writers Association announced the all-state teams for golf on Friday, with two classes in Division I and two classes in Division II for both boys and girls. Individual results in the state meet determined the all-state teams.

BOYS
Class A-AA
Ridge Bruce, Camden Central, Sr.
DiAngelo Cisto, Signal Mountain, Sr.
Wyatt Boling, Martin Luther King, So.
Ty Brown, Central Magnet, Jr.
Vinny Peck, Central Magnet, Sr.

Class AAA
Miles Ramer, Ravenwood, Sr.
Matteo Tonnos, Farragut, Sr.
Luke Mussard, Dobyns Bennett, Sr.
Asher Oates, Independence, So.
Braden Ebbert, Farragut, Sr.

Division II-A
Joshua Cross, Christian Academy of Knoxville, Sr.
Ty Withrow, Columbia Academy, So.
Jack Hagerman, Lausanne Collegiate, Jr.
Gabriel Karkau, Columbia Academy, So.
Josh Lofton, Columbia Academy, Jr.

Division II-AA
Colin Eckerman, Webb School-Bell Buckle, Sr.
Jack Bowen, McCallie School, Jr.
Keegan Smith, Knox Catholic, Jr.
Luke Thompson, Brentwood Academy, Sr.
Radek Molchan, Knox Catholic, So.

GIRLS
Class A-AA
Sydney Tackett, Liberty Creek, Jr.
Brynn Balturshot, Station Camp, So.
Ava Moody, Anderson County, So.
Maxine Richards, Signal Mountain, So.
Jacie Begley, Volunteer, Sr.

Class AAA
Claire Stegall, Nolensville, Jr.
Jaynie Halterman, Independence, Sr.
Katie Hetzel, Cookeville, Jr.
Emma Cissna, Hardin Valley, Fr.
Leila Hailey, Rockvale, So.

Division II-A
Abby Faith Cheeseman, Webb School-Bell Buckle, Jr.
Janie Reames, Columbia Academy, Fr.
Presley Miller, Columbia Academy, Jr.
Henley Pritchard, Webb School-Bell Buckle, Fr.
Caroline Anthony, Westminster Academy, Fr.

Division II-AA
Lydia Brunner, Father Ryan, Fr.
Maggie Slattery, Father Ryan, So.
Lily Bowen, Harpeth Hall, Jr.
Jazzlyn Garmer, Webb School-Bell Buckle, So.
Gilly Shumate, Girls Preparatory School, Jr.

Golf all-state teams honored by TSWA

January 18, 2024 Forrest Freeman

NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Sports Writers Association announced the all-state teams for golf on Thursday, with two classes in Division I and two classes in Division II for both boys and girls. Individual results from the state tournament are used to determine all-state accolades, which includes Top 5 finishers and ties.

BOYS
Class A
William Bacon, Kingston, Sr.
Carson Daniel, Bolivar Central, Jr.
Jason Cole Campbell, Summertown, Jr.
Hayden Howell, Stewart County, So.
Maddox Butler, Waverly, Jr.

Class AA
Parker Elkins, Clarksville, Sr.
Tucker Wick, East Hamilton, Jr.
Will Pinson, Franklin, Jr.
Jackson Whaley, Collierville, So.
Griffin Law, East Hamilton, Jr.
Kaiser Godinez, Collierville, Sr.
Jackson Herrington, Dickson County, Sr.
Cooper Jones, Clarksville, Jr.

Division II-A
Thatsakon Phothong, Webb School-Bell Buckle, 8th grade
Leo Froio, Battle Ground Academy, So.
Nolan Smith, Jackson Christian, So.
Miguel De Gracia, Franklin Road Academy, So.
Caleb Clifft, Fayette Academy, Sr.
Walker Webb, Franklin Road Academy, Fr.

Division II-AA
Blades Brown, Brentwood Academy, So.
Henry O'Keefe, Briarcrest Christian, So.
Theo Desroches, Baylor School, Sr.
Cooper Solberg, Memphis University School, Jr.
Will Jackson, Montgomery Bell Academy, Sr.

GIRLS
Class A
Karlie Campbell, Summertown, Sr.
Brylee Crouse, Kingston, Sr.
Kailey Lane, Kingston, Sr.
Libby Konig, Summertown, Sr.
Tatyana Greene, Cascade, Jr.
Lorien Sweet, Greenback, Sr.

Class AA
Lauren Slatton, Warren County, Sr.
McKenzie Hauk, Dobyns Bennett, Sr.
Sophie Christopher, Germantown Houston, Sr.
Brooke Bennett, Page, So.
Sophia Gambini, Heritage, Jr.

Division II-A
Caroline Pardue, Providence Christian, Sr.
Boonchita Sriwongngam, Webb School-Bell Buckle, Sr.
Jackie Henderson, Battle Ground Academy, Jr.
Claire Todd, Evangelical Christian, Jr.
Isabella Coughlin, Christian Academy of Knoxville, So.

Division II-AA
Alexandra Crews, Ensworth School, Sr.
Savannah Cherry, Ensworth School, Sr.
Dalton Vaughn, St. Cecilia Academy, Jr.
Justine Emond, Baylor School, Jr.
Carlee Rogers, Baylor School, So.

TSWA honors football all-state award winners in classes 4A-6A

January 17, 2024 Forrest Freeman

NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Sports Writers Association announced the all-state teams for football in Classes 4A-6A in Division I on Tuesday.

CLASS 4A
OFFENSE
QB – Keshawn Tarleton, Pearl-Cohn, Sr.*
QB – Carter Smith, Hardin County, Sr.
QB – Izaiah Hall, Anderson County, Sr.
RB – Rhyan Brown, Melrose, Jr.
RB – Nick Moog, Anderson County, Sr.
RB – Camarion Miller, Haywood, Jr.
WR – A.J. Jones, Marshall County, Jr.
WR – Blake Wolfard, Signal Mountain, Sr.
OL – Richard Bell, Northview Academy, Sr.
OL – Judd Taylor, Carter, Jr.
OL – Kameron Lester, Greeneville, Sr.
OL – Evan Briggs, Upperman, Sr.
OL – Austin Barton, Macon County, Sr.
ATH – Carson Quillen, Greeneville, Jr.
K – Logan Lewis, Lexington, Sr.

DEFENSE
DL – Clayton Harris, Upperman, Sr.
DL – Kobe Smith, Red Bank, Sr.
DL – Mason Ball, Elizabethton, Sr.
DL – Evan Poticher, Northview Academy, Sr.
DL – Dawson Carson, White House, Jr.
LB – Zeion-Lafredrick Simpson, Pearl-Cohn, Sr.
LB – Adam Billingsley, Hixson, Jr.
LB – Amanuel Dickson, Greeneville, Sr.
LB – Chris Sanders, Haywood, Sr.
DB – Javonte Pullom, East Ridge, Sr.
DB – Cameron Miller, Melrose, Sr.
DB – Joshua Sims, Pearl-Cohn, Jr.
DB – Gabe Borders, Macon County, Jr.*
P – Wyatt Joyce, Marshall County, Sr.

CLASS 5A
OFFENSE
QB – Kelvin Perkins, Southwind, So.
QB – Mason Baker, Hendersonville, Sr.
QB – Joshua Keith, Clinton, Sr.
RB – Kayden McCoy, Columbia Central, Sr.
RB – De’Jauvis Dozier, Oak Ridge, Sr.
RB – Dominic Reed, Centennial, Sr.*
WR – Kaiki Baker, Hillsboro, Sr.
WR – Isaiah Cobbs, Munford, Sr.
WR – Brandon Heyward, Oak Ridge, Sr.
OL – Jacob Rathbone, Page, So.
OL – Ty Parker, Walker Valley, Sr.
OL – Otto Van Rensburg, Sevier County, Jr.
OL – Britton Carver, Knox West, Sr.
OL – Hayden Collett, Nolensville, Sr.
OL – Maurice Shirley, Rhea County, Sr.
ATH – Trey Wilhite, Lenoir City, Sr.
K – Grant Chadwick, Tullahoma, Sr.

DEFENSE
DL – Kavion Benton, Southwind, Sr.
DL – Steven Soles Jr., Powell, Sr.
DL – Jhrevious Hall, Columbia Central, Jr.
DL – Conner Phillips, Walker Valley, Sr.
DL – C.J. Smith, Knox West, Sr.
LB – Eric Hazzard, Page, Jr.*
LB – Antoine Keefer, Southwind, Sr.
LB – Caden Marshall, Henry County, Sr.
LB – Landon Feggins, McMinn County, Sr.
LB – Ryan Scott, Knox West, Sr.
DB – D’Mon Marable, Clinton, Sr.
DB – Jordan Lee, Beech, Sr.
DB – Kollin Collier, Munford, Sr.
DB – Bryson Headrick, Sevier County, So.
P – Owen Taylor, Knox Halls, Sr.

CLASS 6A
OFFENSE
QB – Braden Graham, Riverdale, Sr.
QB – Kaleb Martin, Bradley Central, Sr.
QB – Chandler Day, Germantown Houston, Jr.
RB – Daune Morris, Oakland, Jr.*
RB – Damon Sisa, Germantown Houston, Sr.
RB – Geron Johnson, Bartlett, Jr.
WR – Brock Montgomery, Riverdale, Sr.
WR – Ben Hubbard, Ravenwood, Jr.
WR – Joakim Dodson, Collierville, Jr.
OL – Duce Hewitt, Oakland, Sr.
OL – Robert Bourdon, Collierville, Sr.
OL – Austin Hoane, Cookeville, So.
OL – Luke Keith, Bradley Central, Sr.
OL – Alex Boyd, Maryville, Jr.
OL – Trent Tatum, West Ridge, Jr.
ATH – Boo Carter, Bradley Central, Sr.*
K – Daniel Echeverria, Mt. Juliet, Jr.

DEFENSE
DL – Daniel Anderson, Germantown, Sr.
DL – Atticus Fiorita, Mt. Juliet, Jr.
DL – Kam Frierson, Rockvale, Sr.
DL – D.J. Allen, Germantown, Sr.
LB – Korey Smith, Oakland, Sr.
LB – Max Orefice, Brentwood, Sr.
LB – Emmit Newman, Jefferson County, Sr.
LB – Jack Alley, Farragut, Sr.
DB – Devin Rutherford Jr, Bartlett, Sr.
DB – Quentin Groves, Siegel, Sr.
DB – Nigel Maynard, Stewarts Creek, Sr.
DB – Marcus Goree, Bradley Central, Sr.
P – Andrew Bingham, Independence, Jr.

*-Mr. Football finalist

TSWA recognizes college players of the week - Jan. 16

January 16, 2024 Forrest Freeman

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – UT Martin junior Jacob Crews had a tremendous week as the Hilliard, Fla., native averaged 28 points and 8.5 rebounds in two contests to earn this week’s Tennessee Sports Writers Association Men’s Basketball Player of the Week honor.

Crews scored a career-best 35 points on Saturday as the Skyhawks toppled Little Rock 77-72. After UTM trailed by five in the second half, the Skyhawks went on a 14-0 run, keyed by 10 points from Crews. He also had seven rebounds in the game.

Earlier in the week, Crews collected his fifth double-double of the season with 21 points, 10 rebounds and two blocks in a contest against conference newcomer Western Illinois.

For the week, Crews shot .556 from the field, shooting 15-for-27, including 7-for-14 from beyond-the-arc. He was also 19-for-22 (.864) at the free-throw line.

On the women’s side, Middle Tennessee junior center Anastasiia Boldyreva set new personal bests as she helped lead the Blue Raiders to victories over Louisiana Tech and Sam Houston State. Against the Lady Techsters in the overtime victory, Boldyreva scored a career-high 32 points with 12 rebounds and four blocks, shooting 15-of-23 from the field.

Boldyreva also scored the second-most points by a Conference USA women’s player this year.

The Moscow native followed the performance up with 15 points and 10 boards against Sam Houston State to claim her fifth double-double of the year and the first Blue Raider to record back-to-back double-doubles since 2020.

Against the Bearkats, she was 7-for-7 from the field, including one 3-pointer in 22 minutes of action.