Carson-Newman signs Grundy star

Grundy County's Haley Coffelt was one of three early-signing-period recruits announced Friday by Carson-Newman College women's basketball coach Mike Mincey. The others were Sevier County point guard Carly Pippin and William Blount shooting guard Tatum Burstrom. "The first time I saw all three of these players, they were playing AAU ball together, and I knew I would like to have all three," Mincey said in the Carson-Newman release. "They already know each other and have a good chemistry together." Specifically of the 6-foot-1 Coffelt, a National Honor Society member, he said, "Haley is a good size post who runs the floor well and has a nice touch around the rim. Not only is she effective around the rim, but also she has the ability to step out on the perimeter and make 3s. Haley is also a good passer and a fundamentally sound player. One of the best things I like about Haley is her toughness and willingness to battle with anybody. Her toughness and her ability to score both inside and out will provide her with an opportunity to compete for early playing time."

• ATHENS, Tenn. -- Bryan College whipped Cincinnati Christian 80-62 but host Tennessee Wesleyan lost 67-64 to Brescia in the Dwain Farmer Round Ball Classic on Friday. Rob Riley scored 20 points and Lavonte Henderson and Tim Fortenberry added 14 and 13 for Bryan (3-5), while Dion Fair had 10 points and six assists. Jared Allen, the other starter, led the Lions with eight rebounds. Quincy Scates had 21 points and 10 rebounds and Desmond Crisp scored 17 points for TWC (2-3), which got eight rebounds from Matt Harper. Myron Christian led Brescia with 16 points.

• HARROGATE, Tenn. -- Going 6-for-9 on 3-point shots, Ishmael Sanders from Cleveland scored 18 points, one fewer than teammate Antoine Davis, and added a team-high four assists as Carson-Newman beat Hiwassee 81-58 in a basketball game Friday night at Lincoln Memorial. David Layne had 15 points and Justin Browner added 11 plus four assists for Hiwassee (3-6).

• Tickets for tonight's Howard basketball games at Arts & Sciences go on sale at 5 p.m. The girls' varsity game tips off at 6, followed by the boys at 7:30, and tickets are $6 each. Both boys' teams are preseason favorites in their respective districts and both are state-tournament contenders, so a sellout crowd is expected.

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