The TSSAA held its boys’ state basketball tournament draw Saturday morning and on the surface, the two local teams in Class A were paired against favorable opponents.
Arts & Sciences and Grace Academy each open the tournament against opponents with 10 losses and who are not traditional state contenders. But coaches for both local schools must warn their players about the dangers of overconfidence.
When the tournament begins Wednesday with the Class A bracket, Arts & Sciences (27-7) will play Harriman (21-10) in the first game of the day at 11 a.m. (Eastern). Harriman is back in the tournament for the first time since 1995. Grace Academy (22-7) will play Oliver Springs (22-10) in another quarterfinal Wednesday at 4:15. Oliver Springs is back in the state tournament for the first time in 11 years.
The AA portion of the tournament also begins Wednesday with two games, including Tyner (24-6) taking on ninth-ranked Marshall County (26-5). Tyner is one of just two unranked teams in the eight-team AA bracket. On Thursday, second-ranked Howard (26-4) opens against fifth-ranked Liberty (27-8) at 12:45. The semifinals for all classes will be Friday.
Area teams in the boys’ state basketball tournament
At Middle Tennessee State University
(All times Eastern)
Class A
Wednesday
Arts & Sciences (27-7) vs. Harriman (21-10), 11 a.m.
Grace Academy (22-7) vs. Oliver Springs (22-10), 4:15
Class AA
Tyner (24-6) vs. Marshall County (26-5), 6
Thursday
Class AA
Howard (26-4) vs. Liberty (27-8), 12:45