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Murray County girls out to finish championship mission

Athletic teams often take on the personality of their coach.

By Lindsey Young March 4, 2025

Staff photo by Matt Hamilton/ Freshman point guard Blaklee Ledford, left, has been a key piece of the Murray County run to the GHSA Class AA championship game Thursday in Macon.

‘Selfless’ Vols seeking to extend their late-season surge

The Tennessee Volunteers began January as the No. 1 team in college basketball and ended that month with a 4-4 record in Southeastern Conference.

By David Paschall March 4, 2025

Tennessee Athletics photo by Andrew Ferguson / Senior guard Chaz Lanier and the Tennessee Volunteers were 4-4 in Southeastern Conference play entering this Feb. 1 game against Florida, but they've been 7-1 since.

With 5 teams in the top 12, Dawn Staley says winning stacked SEC tourney will be tougher than ever

Dawn Staley has won eight Southeastern Conference Tournaments since taking over as head coach at South Carolina in 2008.

By STEVE REED / AP Sports Writer March 4, 2025

South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley directs her team against Florida during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in Columbia, S.C., Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)

Mavericks star Kyrie Irving has a torn ACL and is out for the season

Dallas Mavericks star Kyrie Irving has a torn ACL in his left knee and will miss the rest of the season, the biggest setback in a season full of them for a team that traded superstar Luka Doncic.

By SCHUYLER DIXON / AP Sports Writer March 4, 2025

Dallas Mavericks' Kyrie Irving holds onto his leg after suffering an unknown injury as teammates stand by in the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Sacramento Kings in Dallas, Monday, March 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Lauren Hurst leads Lady Blue Raiders into region championship against nationally-ranked Bearettes

Cleveland High School girls basketball head coach Bianca Hensley's nerves were on high alert in the first half of Monday's Region 3-4A semifinal home contest against Ooltewah, thanks in large part to Lady Owls' freshman guard Aleigha Taylor.

By Patrick MacCoon March 3, 2025

Staff photo by Matt Hamilton/ Ooltewah (1) Kaylin LeBlanc defends as Cleveland High (11) Lauren Hurst drives to the hoop during their game at Cleveland High School on Monday, March 3, 2025.

Gainey continues to be a stepping-up machine for Vols

Coaches since the dawn of mankind have stressed to their backup players to make the most of their opportunities whenever they're presented.

By David Paschall March 3, 2025

Tennessee Athletics photo by Andrew Freguson / Tennessee senior guard Jordan Gainey scored 18 points in 29 minutes during Saturday's 79-76 topping of Alabama inside the Food City Center.

Okpara perfect from the floor as Vols dump LSU

Everything that Felix Okpara put up went in Tuesday night.

By David Paschall February 25, 2025

Tennessee Athletics photo / Tennessee senior guard Jahmai Mashack goes up for a shot during the first half of Tuesday night's victory at LSU.

Jenkins leads Soddy Daisy girls to first district title since 2007

Soddy Daisy sophomore point guard Emma Rutherford tossed the basketball as high in the air as she could as the final buzzer sounded in Tuesday's 41-29 District 6-3A championship victory over host Signal Mountain.

By Patrick MacCoon February 25, 2025

Staff photo by Matt Hamilton / Soddy Daisy defenders surround Signal Mountain (45) Lucy Provonsha during their game at Signal Mountain High School on Tuesday, February 25, 2025.

Heritage, Dalton fall in Elite Eight games; Murray County moves on

Heritage and Dalton lost in excruciating ways in Tuesday night's GHSA girls Elite Eight basketball games, one mostly self-inflicted and the other determined by an official's whistle.

By Lindsey Young February 25, 2025

Staff file photo by Robin Rudd / Camdyn Carter (20) scored a team-high 20 points, including 11 in the fourth quarter, but it wasn't enough as Heritage lost 50-49 to Baldwin in Tuesday night's GHSA Class AAA Elite Eight game in Ringgold.

Keys to three NW Georgia girls’ quarterfinal games

The GHSA basketball playoffs have reached the Elite Eight, and four area teams head into Tuesday's games with title hopes still alive.