Johnny MorganAs brief as it was, the two-year absence from the girls’ state basketball tournament felt more like decades to the McMinn Central supporters.
That “dry spell” ends today when the Chargerettes (28-5) open the Class AA portion of the state tournament against Memphis Craigmont (26-7) at 3:15 EST at Middle Tennessee State University. The winner would meet the winner of the quarterfinal matchup between Grainger (27-6) and Westmoreland (31-6) on Friday evening. and the AA state championship game is set for Saturday at 8.
“That’s something other people might have talked about, but for me and our players, if we’re worried about how long it’s been since we’ve been in the tournament that just means we’re not focused on who we’re playing,” McMinn Central coach Johnny Morgan said. “We had a (sectional) game two years ago where they counted a shot after time expired or we would’ve been back in it that year. So to me it’s only been one year, but it’s always good to get back because you never know when you’ll make it back.
“When we start practice every year this is always our goal. Now we’re back and we have a chance.”
Prior to missing the last two, McMinn Central had reached the state tourney five straight years, including a state championship in 2011 and a runner-up finish in 2010. The program is making its 14th appearance in the state tournament since 1972.