The TSSAA denied the appeals of Brainerd and Austin-East high schools during a special called meeting Thursday afternoon. The schools were requesting the state's prep sports governing body to lessen the punishment handed down last week for a brawl that occurred during their boys' basketball game two weeks ago.
With the penalties upheld, both schools' boys' basketball teams will be banned from postseason play this year and next season, and the schools will be fined $3,500 each and will remain on probation through the 2019-20 school year.
"This is consistent with the punishment we have handed down in numerous other cases in which a brawl took place," TSSAA executive director Bernard Childress said. "We appreciate administrators from both schools taking full responsibility for what happened and recommending several self-imposed penalties. But while we have accepted those recommendations, our board has also determined to uphold the postseason ban for both."
Both teams were ranked among the state's top five in Class AA, but once the regular season ends neither will not be allowed to continue playing.
With 2:20 remaining before halftime of the Jan. 27 game at Brainerd, a fight broke out with both benches clearing and fans coming out of the stands and onto the court.
Pryor named Grace coach
Grace Academy has promoted Stephen Pryor to head baseball coach after two years as an assistant with the program.
Pryor is a former major league pitcher who played high school at Friendship Christian in Lebanon, Tenn., and continued his career at Cleveland State and Tennessee Tech before being taken in the fifth round of the MLB draft by the Seattle Mariners. He played professionally for six years before injury ended his career.
His first big-league win came in a six-pitcher no-hitter for Seattle.
Ferrel signs with Trevecca
Grace Academy's Maddie Ferrel, a three-year team captain, has signed a soccer scholarship with Trevecca Nazarene University in NCAA Division II.
As a five-year varsity starter, she scored 23 goals and had 24 assists in her prep career.
CCS duo has college grants
Chattanooga Christian School's Olivia Hoffman has signed to play soccer at Cedarville (Ohio) University, joining Kylan Nash as a CCS recruit for college sports. Nash signed a golf scholarship with Tennessee Wesleyan in November.
Hoffman is a two-sport athlete who also excels in track, having helped the CCS 4x200 relay team earn a state championship. Last season she helped the soccer Lady Chargers win district and region titles and finish state runners-up in Division II-A.
Baylor runners honored
The Baylor girls' cross country team has been recognized by the TSSAA as a recipient of the Distinguished Scholastic Achievement Award, marking the third consecutive year the Lady Red Raiders have received the honor.
This year's squad posted an aggregate grade point average of 3.84 on a 4.0 scale last fall. In addition, 92 percent of the team earned the Student-Athlete Award of Merit, given for maintaining a GPA of 3.5 or higher while in the competitive season.
Baylor won three prestigious meets in 2017 - the Tennessee Classic, the McCallie Invitational and the Front Runner Championship - and, led by all-state performances by freshman Emrick Garrett and junior Sydney Cansler, finished fourth at the state meet.
Baylor takes aim at repeat
Baylor will be trying to repeat its TISCA swimming and diving championships today and Saturday in Knoxville. Baylor won the boys' and combined titles last year and finished third in the girls' standings.
McMinn will host region
McMinn County High School is hosting the Region 4-AAA wrestling tournament Saturday in Athens, and admission costs $10. Only TSSAA and TACA cards will be accepted as passes.
Doors will open at 8 a.m. and weigh-ins are set for 9. Competition will commence at 10.