College players of the week honored by TSWA - March 3

March 3, 2026 Forrest Freeman

NASHVILLE – Carson-Newman’s Jack Browder garnered TSWA Men’s Basketball Player of the Week honors, averaging 42.5 points, 9.0 rebounds and 3.5 steals in two games for the Eagles, as announced Tuesday by the organization.

He scored 46 points with seven boards in a win versus Mars Hill, connecting on 12-of-20 field goals with five 3-pointers and 17-for-17 at the foul line. He followed that with 39 points, 11 rebounds and five steals in a loss to Lenoir Rhyne, making eight field goals with two 3-pointers and hitting 21-of-21 free throws (SAC and Carson-Newman record).

The 21-of-21 effort at the line is the third-best mark in NCAA DII history for consecutive free throws made in a game without missing. He has made 38 consecutive free throws. Browder registered his 39th career double-double and 10th career 30-point scoring outing and has 2,068 career points at Carson-Newman.

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL: Vanderbilt’s Mikayla Blakes was voted TSWA Women’s Basketball Player of the Week, posting 34.5 points, 5.0 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game in two outings for the Commodores.

She scored 30-plus points in back-to-back games to help No. 5/5 Vanderbilt cap off the regular season with wins over No. 24/23 Alabama and at Tennessee. She netted 35 points, four rebounds, five assists and four steals versus Alabama, hitting 11-of-21 field goals with six 3-pointers and 7-for-8 at the foul line. She netted 34 points, six rebounds and four assists at Tennessee, making 12-of-23 field goals with six triples and 4-for-4 at the foul line.

Blakes shot 52.3 percent from the floor, going 23-of-44, and made a season-high six 3-pointers in each contest. The guard is the first SEC player this century to have 12 games with 30 or more points in a season, and she concludes SEC play averaging 30.5 points per game.

SOFTBALL: Carson-Newman’s Macauley Bailey and Belmont’s Maya Johnson were named Tennessee Sports Writers Association Softball Player and Pitcher of the Week, respectively.

Bailey batted .560 (14-for-25) in seven games with five multi-hit outings, six doubles, 10 RBIs and seven runs scored. She scored three times in the opener versus Converse College and collected three hits with a double, two RBIs and a run scored in the second game.

She recorded three hits with two doubles and five RBIs at Davis & Elkins and posted two hits versus Lincoln University. Bailey registered two hits with a double and one RBI at West Virginia Wesleyan and tallied two hits with a double and one RBI against Indiana [PA].

Johnson posted a 2-0 record with 31 strikeouts in 12.0 innings of work with just three walks. She allowed one run on three hits with 14 strikeouts in 5.0 innings versus Central Michigan. She then tossed a one-hit complete game against Ohio, giving up one walk with 17 strikeouts.

BASEBALL: UT Martin’s Jacob Sitton was named Tennessee Sports Writers Association Baseball Pitcher of the Week.

Sitton tossed seven scoreless innings against Bradley, tying his career-long for innings pitched as well as strikeouts with eight. He allowed just three hits and held the Braves hitless for four of the seven innings.

2026 TSWA SOFTBALL PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
Feb. 10 | Shay Hollingsworth, Trevecca Nazarene (Player); Maya Johnson, Belmont (Pitcher)
Feb. 17 | Avary Makarewicz, UT Martin (Player); Taylor Long, Chattanooga (Pitcher)
Feb. 24 | Macauley Bailey, Carson-Newman (Player); Kayleigh Smith, Bryan College (Pitcher)
March 3 | Macauley Bailey, Carson-Newman (Player); Maya Johnson, Belmont (Pitcher)

2026 TSWA BASEBALL PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
Feb. 17 | Cohl Proctor, Cumberland University (Player); Tegan Kuhns, Tennessee (Pitcher)
Feb. 24 | Will Curcio, Bryan College (Player); Logan Baskin, Cumberland University (Pitcher)
March 3 | Jacob Sitton, UT Martin (Pitcher)

TSWA/USA Today Network Prep Poll - March 2

March 2, 2026 Forrest Freeman

NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Sports Writers Association and USA Today Network announced the basketball rankings for the 2025-26 season on Monday, March 2. The Top 10 teams in each of the four Division I classifications and Top 5 in two Division II classes were selected by TSWA members and USA Today writers with first-place votes in parentheses and total points based on 10 points for a first-place vote through one point for a 10th-place vote.

BOYS
Division I
Class 1A
1. Eagleville (27-0) – 110 (11). Last Week: Ranked No. 1
2. Jackson County (26-5) – 98. Last Week: Ranked No. 3
3. Pickett County (28-4) – 87. Last Week: Ranked No. 2
4. Humboldt (18-6) – 75. Last Week: Ranked No. 4
5. Richland (20-5) – 63. Last Week: Ranked No. 5
6. Wayne County (21-9) – 50. Last Week: Ranked No. 6
7. Perry County (18-6) – 44. Last Week: Ranked No. 7
8. Booker T. Washington (20-4) – 43. Last Week: Ranked No. 9
9. Gleason (22-5) – 15. Last Week: Ranked No. 9
10. Hampton (22-9) – 9. Last Week: Ranked No. 10
Other who received 10 or more points: None

Class 2A
1. Chattanooga Prep (15-11) – 109 (10). Last Week: Ranked No. 1
2. Tellico Plains (25-4) – 99 (1). Last Week: Ranked No. 2
3. Gatlinburg-Pittman (22-4) – 89. Last Week: Ranked No. 3
4. Westview (19-7) – 69. Last Week: Ranked No. 6
5. White House Heritage (25-5) – 68. Last Week: Ranked No. 5
6. Peabody (23-5) – 51. Last Week: Ranked No. 4
7. East Nashville (20-4) – 39. Last Week: Ranked No. 9
8. Tyner Academy (18-10) – 38. Last Week: Ranked No. 7
9. Memphis Business Academy (11-6) – 22. Last Week: Not Ranked
10. Hillcrest (22-4) – 8. Last Week: Not Ranked
Other who received 10 or more points: Hillcrest (12)

Class 3A
1. Upperman (27-5) – 109 (10). Last Week: Ranked No. 1
2. Tullahoma (23-4) – 100 (1). Last Week: Ranked No. 2
3. Jackson North Side (24-3) – 88. Last Week: Ranked No. 3
4. Fayette-Ware (23-4) – 75. Last Week: Ranked No. 4
5. Fulton (20-9) – 60. Last Week: Ranked No. 6
6. Red Bank (23-7) – 49. Last Week: Ranked No. 7
7. Heritage (23-8) – 43. Last Week: Ranked No. 5
8. Alcoa (18-13) – 40. Last Week: Ranked No. 9
9. Stone Memorial (19-9) – 25. Last Week: No. 10
10. Cumberland County (20-10) – 14. Last Week: Ranked No. 8
Other who received 10 or more points: None

Class 4A
1. Bartlett (27-4) – 110 (11). Last Week: Ranked No. 1
2. Bearden (33-1) – 99. Last Week: Ranked No. 2
3. Maryville (28-3) – 86. Last Week: Ranked No. 3
4. Germantown Houston (20-7) – 74. Last Week: Ranked No. 4
5. Whitehaven (25-7) – 66. Last Week: Ranked No. 5
6. Walker Valley (26-3) – 56. Last Week: Ranked No. 6
7. Beech (29-2) – 47. Last Week: Ranked No. 7
8. Brentwood (27-3) – 34. Last Week: Ranked No. 8
9. Blackman (22-4) – 22. Last Week: Ranked No. 9
10. Kirkwood (23-5) – 9. Last Week: Not Ranked
Other who received 10 or more points: None

Division II-A
1. Providence Christian (27-6) – 55 (11). Last Week: Ranked No. 1
2. Battle Ground Academy (30-7) – 44. Last Week: Ranked No. 2
3. Boyd Buchanan (22-11) – 33. Last Week: Ranked No. 3
4. St. George’s (24-6) – 22. Last Week: Ranked No. 4
5. Harding Academy (18-7) – 11. Last Week: Ranked No. 5
Other who received 10 or more points: None

Division II-AA
1. Briarcrest Christian (25-3) – 55 (11). Last Week: Ranked No. 2
2. Knox Catholic (24-5) – 44. Last Week: Ranked No. 3
3. Pope John Paul II (24-7) – 33. Last Week: Ranked No. 4
4. Montgomery Bell Academy (19-8) – 22. Last Week: Not Ranked
5. Knox Webb (31-3) – 11. Last Week: Ranked No. 1
Other who received 10 or more points: None

GIRLS
Division I
Class 1A
1. Greenfield (26-2) – 110 (11). Last Week: Ranked No. 1
2. Richland (22-3) – 97. Last Week: Ranked No. 2
3. Van Buren County (25-4) – 90. Last Week: Ranked No. 3
4. Wayne County (26-5) – 77. Last Week: Ranked No. 5
5. Jackson County (21-9) – 64. Last Week: Ranked No. 6
6. Gordonsville (26-4) – 53. Last Week: Ranked No. 7
7. Unaka (22-4) – 40. Last Week: Ranked No. 8
8. Pickett County (19-11) – 35. Last Week: No. 5
9. Coalfield (24-7) – 24. Last Week: Ranked No. 10
10. North Greene (26-6) – 14. Last Week: Ranked No. 9
Other who received 10 or more points: None

Class 2A
1. Gatlinburg-Pittman (26-3) – 110 (11). Last Week: Ranked No. 1
2. Huntingdon (25-3) – 94. Last Week: Ranked No. 2
3. York Institute (25-6) – 88. Last Week: Ranked No. 3
4. Westview (22-4) – 82. Last Week: Ranked No. 4
5. Stewart County (26-4) – 64. Last Week: Ranked No. 5
6. Smith County (20-11) – 43. Last Week: Ranked No. 6
7. Gibson County (22-9) – 40. Last Week: Ranked No. 8
8. East Nashville (20-4) – 38. Last Week: Not Ranked
9. Memphis Business Academy (13-3) – 17. Last Week: Ranked No. 10
10. Pearl-Cohn (23-6) – 15. Last Week: Ranked No. 7
Other who received 10 or more points: Hickman County (11)

Class 3A
1. Stone Memorial (27-3) – 109 (11). Last Week: Ranked No. 1
2. Daniel Boone (29-3) – 98 (1). Last Week: Ranked No. 2
3. White County (29-5) – 82. Last Week: Ranked No. 3
4. South Gibson (27-4) – 74. Last Week: Ranked No. 4
5. Cocke County (30-4) – 69. Last Week: Ranked No. 5
6. Jackson South Side (25-5) – 50. Last Week: Ranked No. 7
7. Upperman (24-8) – 49. Last Week: Ranked No. 6
8. Clinton (30-2) – 35. Last Week: Ranked No. 8
9. Alcoa (24-7) – 24. Last Week: No. 9
10. Heritage (26-6) – 7. Last Week: Ranked No. 10
Other who received 10 or more points: None

Class 4A
1. Bradley Central (29-0) – 110 (11). Last Week: Ranked No. 1
2. Bearden (29-3) – 99. Last Week: Ranked No. 2
3. Whitehaven (26-3) – 84. Last Week: Ranked No. 3
4. Cookeville (26-3) – 73. Last Week: Ranked No. 4
5. Blackman (25-3) – 68. Last Week: Ranked No. 5
6. Sevier County (22-5) – 48. Last Week: Ranked No. 6
7. Nolensville (25-4) – 46. Last Week: Ranked No. 7
8. Green Hill (27-3) – 34. Last Week: Ranked No. 8
9. Lebanon (25-6) – 22. Last Week: Ranked No. 9
10. Bartlett (22-10) – 21. Last Week: Ranked No. 10
Other who received 10 or more points: None

Division II-A
1. University School of Jackson (24-5) – 55 (11). Last Week: Ranked No. 1
2. Providence Christian (25-5) – 44. Last Week: Ranked No. 2
3. The King’s Academy (27-8) – 33. Last Week: Ranked No. 4
4. Notre Dame (27-6) – 21. Last Week: Not Ranked
5. Christian Academy of Knoxville (26-6) – 11. Last Week: Ranked No. 4
Other who received 10 or more points: Ezell-Harding (12)

Division II-AA
1. Knox Webb (23-6) – 52 (8). Last Week: Ranked No. 1
2. Christ Presbyterian Academy (26-2) – 47 (3). Last Week: Ranked No. 1
3. Lipscomb Academy (26-7) – 33. Last Week: Ranked No. 3
4. Hutchison School (14-6) – 22. Last Week: Not Ranked
5. Ensworth School (19-6) – 11. Last Week: Ranked No. 4
Other who received 10 or more points: None

Publications that participated in the voting include The Tennessean in Nashville, the Knoxville News-Sentinel, The Commercial Appeal in Memphis, The Daily Herald in Columbia, The Leaf-Chronicle in Clarksville, Five Star Preps, The Daily News Journal in Murfreesboro, The Chattanooga Times-Free Press, The Mirror-Exchange in Milan and Tri-Cities Sports.

TSWA recognizes college players of the week - Feb. 24

February 24, 2026 Forrest Freeman

NASHVILLE – Union University’s Terrence Ringo, Jr., garnered TSWA Men’s Basketball Player of the Week honors, averaging 24.0 points, 13.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists with two double-doubles in a pair of games for the Bulldogs, as announced Tuesday by the organization.

Ringo, Jr., posted 31 points and 16 rebounds on 11-of-15 shooting and 9-for-12 at the foul line in a victory at West Florida. He followed that with 17 points and 11 boards at Valdosta State for his 15th double-double of the season and eighth consecutive contest with a double-double.

Ringo, Jr., is posting 19.0 points and 10.5 rebounds per game in 26 contests this season.

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL: Lincoln Memorial’s Kamil Collier was voted TSWA Women’s Basketball Player of the Week, recording 25.0 points and 10.5 rebounds with one double-double in two outings for the Railsplitters.

Collier registered a career-high 32 points along with 12 rebounds at Mars Hill for her 17th double-double of the season. She connected on 13-of-18 field goals and made 6-for-12 at the foul line. She posted 18 points, nine boards and four assists at 12th-ranked Coker College, hitting 6-of-12 shots and all six free throws.

Collier is averaging 18.1 points and 11.1 rebounds per contest in 25 outings this year.

SOFTBALL: Carson-Newman’s Macauley Bailey and Bryan College’s Kayleigh Smith were named Tennessee Sports Writers Association Softball Player and Pitcher of the Week, respectively.

Bailey batted .500 (10-for-20) in six games with one double, two home runs, 14 RBIs and five runs scored for the Eagles. She posted three hits and four RBIs with a homer in the first game of a doubleheader against Shorter University and added two hits with four RBIs in the second game versus the Hawks.

She recorded three hits with a homer and five RBIs in the first of a twinbill against Barton College, her 50th career homer. Bailey also extended her on-base streak to 34 consecutive games following this weekend.

Smith picked up three wins with three complete games (all one-run games) in 21.0 innings, giving up four earned runs with 15 strikeouts. She allowed three earned runs with four strikeouts in 5-4 win over Georgia Gwinnett and tossed a complete-game no-hitter versus Cumberland University (1-0 victory), striking out seven with two walks.

She finished the week by allowing one run on five hits with four strikeouts in 2-1 win versus UHSP.

BASEBALL: Bryan College’s Will Curcio and Cumberland University’s Logan Baskin were named Tennessee Sports Writers Association Baseball Player and Pitcher of the Week, respectively.

Curcio batted .529 (9-for-17) in five games with six home runs, 14 RBIs and 10 runs scored. He posted three hits with two homers and five RBIs at Cumberland University. He homered and drove in three runs versus Saint Francis [IN] and recorded a two-run homer against Brewton-Parker.

Curcio added two hits and a solo homer in second game versus Saint Francis [IN] and registered two hits with another homer and three RBIs in second meeting with Brewton-Parker.

Baskin tossed a complete-game shutout against Aquinas College, striking out 10 (seven looking) with no walks. He allowed just three hits in seven innings of work.

TSWA/USA Today Network Prep Poll - Feb. 23

February 23, 2026 Forrest Freeman

NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Sports Writers Association and USA Today Network announced the basketball rankings for the 2025-26 season on Monday, February 23. The Top 10 teams in each of the four Division I classifications and Top 5 in two Division II classes were selected by TSWA members and USA Today writers with first-place votes in parentheses and total points based on 10 points for a first-place vote through one point for a 10th-place vote.

BOYS
Division I
Class 1A
1. Eagleville (25-0) – 120 (12). Last Week: Ranked No. 1
2. Pickett County (27-3) – 108. Last Week: Ranked No. 2
3. Jackson County (24-5) – 95. Last Week: Ranked No. 3
4. Humboldt (16-6) – 82. Last Week: Ranked No. 4
5. Richland (18-5) – 68. Last Week: Ranked No. 6
6. Wayne County (20-9) – 51. Last Week: Ranked No. 9
7. Perry County (17-6) – 43. Last Week: Ranked No. 5
8. Booker T. Washington (19-4) – 40. Last Week: Ranked No. 7
9. Gleason (21-4) – 37. Last Week: Ranked No. 8
10. Hampton (21-8) – 16. Last Week: Ranked No. 10
Other who received 10 or more points: None

Class 2A
1. Chattanooga Prep (14-11) – 114 (6). Last Week: Ranked No. 2
2. Tellico Plains (22-4) – 111 (6). Last Week: Ranked No. 1
3. Gatlinburg-Pittman (20-4) – 97. Last Week: Ranked No. 3
4. Peabody (22-4) – 79. Last Week: Ranked No. 4
5. White House Heritage (23-5) – 70. Last Week: Ranked No. 6
6. Westview (17-7) – 54. Last Week: Ranked No. 7
7. Tyner Academy (16-10) – 37. Last Week: Ranked No. 9
8. Cannon County (21-8) – 33. Last Week: Ranked No. 8
9. East Nashville (18-4) – 29. Last Week: Ranked No. 10
10. Huntingdon (15-6) – 13. Last Week: Ranked No. 4
Other who received 10 or more points: Hillcrest (12)

Class 3A
1. Upperman (25-5) – 119 (11). Last Week: Ranked No. 1
2. Tullahoma (21-4) – 109 (1). Last Week: Ranked No. 2
3. Jackson North Side (22-3) – 94. Last Week: Ranked No. 4
4. Fayette-Ware (21-4) – 82. Last Week: Ranked No. 3
5. Heritage (22-7) – 69. Last Week: Ranked No. 7
6. Fulton (18-9) – 52. Last Week: Ranked No. 6
7. Red Bank (22-7) – 50. Last Week: Ranked No. 9
8. Cumberland County (19-9) – 30. Last Week: Ranked No. 10
9. Alcoa (16-13) – 24. Last Week: Ranked No. 5
10. Stone Memorial (17-9) – 18. Last Week: No. 8
Other who received 10 or more points: None

Class 4A
1. Bartlett (25-4) – 120 (12). Last Week: Ranked No. 1
2. Bearden (31-1) – 108. Last Week: Ranked No. 2
3. Maryville (26-3) – 94. Last Week: Ranked No. 3
4. Germantown Houston (19-6) – 83. Last Week: Ranked No. 4
5. Whitehaven (23-7) – 72. Last Week: Ranked No. 5
6. Walker Valley (24-3) – 54. Last Week: Ranked No. 6
7. Beech (27-2) – 53. Last Week: Ranked No. 7
8. Brentwood (26-3) – 37. Last Week: Ranked No. 8
9. Blackman (22-4) – 23. Last Week: Ranked No. 10
10. Knox Central (27-3) – 8. Last Week: Not Ranked
Other who received 10 or more points: None

Division II-A
1. Providence Christian (26-6) – 60 (12). Last Week: Ranked No. 1
2. Battle Ground Academy (28-7) – 48. Last Week: Ranked No. 2
3. Boyd Buchanan (21-11) – 34. Last Week: Ranked No. 4
4. St. George’s (22-6) – 21. Last Week: Ranked No. 3
5. Harding Academy (18-6) – 13. Last Week: Not Ranked
Other who received 10 or more points: None

Division II-AA
1. Knox Webb (31-2) – 60 (12). Last Week: Ranked No. 1
2. Briarcrest Christian (24-3) – 47. Last Week: Ranked No. 2
3. Knox Catholic (22-5) – 33. Last Week: Ranked No. 3
4. Pope John Paul II (23-7) – 23. Last Week: Ranked No. 5
5. Lipscomb Academy (27-4) – 17. Last Week: Ranked No. 4
Other who received 10 or more points: None

GIRLS
Division I
Class 1A
1. Greenfield (25-2) – 120 (12). Last Week: Ranked No. 1
2. Richland (20-3) – 106. Last Week: Ranked No. 2
3. Van Buren County (24-4) – 98. Last Week: Ranked No. 3
4. Wayne County (25-5) – 84. Last Week: Ranked No. 5
5. Pickett County (18-10) – 68. Last Week: No. 6
6. Jackson County (19-9) – 60. Last Week: Ranked No. 7
7. Gordonsville (25-4) – 51. Last Week: Ranked No. 4
8. Unaka (21-4) – 33. Last Week: Ranked No. 8
9. North Greene (25-5) – 25. Last Week: Ranked No. 9
10. Coalfield (22-7) – 16. Last Week: Ranked No. 10
Other who received 10 or more points: None

Class 2A
1. Gatlinburg-Pittman (24-3) – 120 (12). Last Week: Ranked No. 1
2. Huntingdon (24-3) – 101. Last Week: Ranked No. 3
3. York Institute (23-6) – 94. Last Week: Ranked No. 2
4. Westview (21-4) – 93. Last Week: Ranked No. 4
5. Stewart County (25-4) – 68. Last Week: Ranked No. 5
6. Smith County (19-10) – 53. Last Week: Ranked No. 6
7. Pearl-Cohn (21-5) – 51. Last Week: Ranked No. 7
8. Gibson County (21-9) – 42. Last Week: Ranked No. 8
9. Hickman County (22-5) – 16. Last Week: Ranked No. 9
10. Memphis Business Academy (12-3) – 10. Last Week: Not Ranked
Other who received 10 or more points: None

Class 3A
1. Stone Memorial (25-3) – 119 (11). Last Week: Ranked No. 1
2. Daniel Boone (27-3) – 105 (1). Last Week: Ranked No. 3
3. White County (27-5) – 88. Last Week: Ranked No. 2
4. South Gibson (25-4) – 81. Last Week: Ranked No. 4
5. Cocke County (28-4) – 72. Last Week: Ranked No. 5
6. Upperman (23-7) – 68. Last Week: Ranked No. 6
7. Jackson South Side (23-5) – 48. Last Week: Ranked No. 7
8. Clinton (28-2) – 34. Last Week: Ranked No. 8
9. Alcoa (21-7) – 29. Last Week: No. 9
10. Dyersburg (20-5) – 10. Last Week: Not Ranked
Other who received 10 or more points: None

Class 4A
1. Bradley Central (27-0) – 120 (12). Last Week: Ranked No. 1
2. Bearden (27-3) – 108. Last Week: Ranked No. 2
3. Whitehaven (23-3) – 92. Last Week: Ranked No. 3
4. Cookeville (24-3) – 79. Last Week: Ranked No. 4
5. Blackman (23-3) – 75. Last Week: Ranked No. 5
6. Sevier County (20-5) – 52. Last Week: Ranked No. 6
7. Nolensville (24-4) – 43. Last Week: Ranked No. 6
8. Green Hill (25-3) – 39. Last Week: Ranked No. 9
9. Lebanon (23-6) – 29. Last Week: Ranked No. 6
10. Bartlett (20-10) – 23. Last Week: Ranked No. 10
Other who received 10 or more points: None

Division II-A
1. University School of Jackson (22-5) – 60 (12). Last Week: Ranked No. 1
2. Providence Christian (25-5) – 47. Last Week: Ranked No. 5
3. Middle Tennessee Christian (26-5) – 33. Last Week: Ranked No. 2
t4. Christian Academy of Knoxville (25-6) – 13. Last Week: Ranked No. 4
t4. The King’s Academy (26-8) – 13. Last Week: Not Ranked
Other who received 10 or more points: Ezell-Harding (12)

Division II-AA
t1. Christ Presbyterian Academy (22-2) – 54 (6). Last Week: Ranked No. 1
t1. Knox Webb (22-6) – 54 (6). Last Week: Ranked No. 2
3. Lipscomb Academy (24-6) – 34. Last Week: Ranked No. 3
4. Ensworth School (17-5) – 21. Last Week: Ranked No. 4
5. Father Ryan (17-7) – 17. Last Week: Ranked No. 5
Other who received 10 or more points: None

Publications that participated in the voting include The Tennessean in Nashville, the Knoxville News-Sentinel, The Commercial Appeal in Memphis, The Daily Herald in Columbia, The Leaf-Chronicle in Clarksville, Five Star Preps, The Daily News Journal in Murfreesboro, The Herald-Citizen in Cookeville, The Chattanooga Times-Free Press, The Mirror-Exchange in Milan and Tri-Cities Sports.

College players of the week named by TSWA - Feb. 17

February 17, 2026 Forrest Freeman

NASHVILLE – Tusculum University’s Bryce Jackson garnered TSWA Men’s Basketball Player of the Week honors, averaging a South Atlantic Conference-best 27.5 points with 5.5 assists and 6.5 rebounds in two games for the Pioneers, as announced Tuesday by the organization.

In an 88-74 win over Mars Hill, he scored a season-high 29 points to go with five rebounds and six assists, hitting 8-of-14 from the floor with three 3-pointers and 10-for-10 at the line. He followed that with 26 points in an 89-73 victory over Newberry College, connecting on 10-of-11 from the charity stripe to go with eight rebounds, five assists and three steals.

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL: Vanderbilt’s Mikayla Blakes was voted TSWA Women’s Basketball Player of the Week, registering 30.5 points, 4.5 assists and 2.5 rebounds in two games for the Commodores.

The sophomore scored 34 points in an 86-70 win over No. 4 Texas, which marked her fourth straight 30-point performance. Blakes is the first SEC player this century to score 30-plus points in four straight games. It marked her ninth game this season with 30-plus points, which leads all NCAA Division I players.

Blakes scored 27 points on only eight shots in a loss at Georgia. The guard made 19-of-20 from the free throw line, the second-most made free throws in a single game in school history. She also handed out six assists.

Blakes extended her double-digit scoring streak to 46 games, which is the longest active streak in the SEC and third-longest in the nation. The guard currently leads the nation in scoring at 26.3 points per game.

SOFTBALL: UT Martin’s Avary Makarewicz and Chattanooga’s Taylor Long were named Tennessee Sports Writers Association Softball Player and Pitcher of the Week, respectively.

Makarewicz batted .615 (8-for-13) with two doubles, two home runs and nine RBIs. The senior tallied two hits with a homer and three RBIs versus St. Louis and collected two hits with two runs scored against Valparaiso. She added four hits, three runs scored, five RBIs and two doubles in two games versus Mississippi Valley.

Long posted a 2-0 mark in two outings at the Chattanooga Challenge. She struck out eight, giving up two runs in 4.1 innings versus Bellarmine. She made it into the fifth inning with a no-hitter and gave up just three hits against Ohio, striking out 11 for the second time this season in a complete game.

BASEBALL: Cumberland University’s Cohl Proctor and Tennessee’s Tegan Kuhns were named Tennessee Sports Writers Association Baseball Player and Pitcher of the Week, respectively.

Proctor posted a .579 (11-for-19) batting average with seven runs scored, three home runs and 12 RBIs in five games for the Phoenix. He tallied five extra-base hits and 23 total bases in the five contests.

He collected three hits and four RBIs at UT Southern and registered three hits with a double and two RBIs in the second of three games against St. Francis [IL]. He went 4-for-4 with two home runs and six RBIs in the series finale.

Kuhns tossed 6.2 scoreless innings in his first career start in a victory against Nicholls State. The sophomore righthander allowed two hits and one walk while striking out eight to earn his first win of the year. Kuhns retired the first eight batters of the game and set the Colonels down in order in three of his six innings of work.

2026 TSWA SOFTBALL PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
Feb. 10 | Shay Hollingsworth, Trevecca Nazarene (Player); Maya Johnson, Belmont (Pitcher)
Feb 17 | Avary Makarewicz, UT Martin (Player); Taylor Long, Chattanooga (Pitcher)

2026 TSWA BASEBALL PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
Feb 17 | Cohl Proctor, Cumberland University (Player); Tegan Kuhns, Tennessee (Pitcher)