TSWA recognizes college players of the week - Jan. 30

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – John Zhao had an incredible week for Carson-Newman as he averaged 32 points across two games last week, leading the Eagles to a pair of victories and this week’s selection as the Tennessee Sports Writers Association’s Men’s Basketball Player of the Week.

In a 106-99 overtime win over Emory and Henry, the junior guard from Sevierville led all scorers with 38 points as he went 15-for-17 from the field and 8-for-9 from 3-point range. The point tally was the seventh-most in program history, while also matching the Eagles’ single-game record for 3-point percentage at an 88.9 completion rate.

He followed that performance up leading all scorers again as C-N defeated Coker 120-81 in a matchup between two 7-3 teams in the South Atlantic Conference. Zhao was efficient once again, knocking down 11 of his 14 shots, while also pulling down seven boards.

On the women’s side, UT Martin sophomore forward Anaya Brown was selected as the women’s player of the week as she averaged a double-double with a 13.5-point and 12.5-rebound pace for the week, while also collecting seven blocks and two assists.

The Lexington, Ky., native recorded 14 points and 20 rebounds in a 52-44 victory over Ohio Valley Conference foe Southeast Missouri, becoming only the third Skyhawk player in program history to collect 20 or more caroms in a single game. It was the highest total by an OVC student-athlete this season, earning an ‘Elite Performance’ nod by the NCAA.

Brown continued her double-double effort with 13 points and 12 rebounds as she played all 40 minutes in a 73-68 loss to Lindenwood.

MEN’S BASKETBALL
11/14 | Jack Browder (Carson-Newman)
11/21 | Mikhail Pocknett (King)
11/28 | Jordan Sears (UT Martin)
12/5 | Reed Kemp (Maryville)
12/12 | Jalen Page (Trevecca)
12/19 | John Zhao (Carson-Newman)
1/3 | Nick Brenegan (Carson-Newman)
1/9 | Nick Brenegan (Carson-Newman)
1/16 | Jacob Crews (UT Martin)
1/23 | Mikhail Pocknett (King)
1/30 | John Zhao (Carson-Newman)

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
11/14 | Kendal Cheesman (Belmont)
11/21 | Maya Buckhanon (Fisk)
11/28 | Jordyn Cambridge (Vanderbilt)
12/5 | Sacha Washington (Vanderbilt)
12/12 | Maya Buckhanon (Fisk)
12/19 | Jada Guinn (Chattanooga)
1/3 | Faith Wilken (Trevecca)
1/9 | Rickea Jackson (Tennessee)
1/16 | Anastasiia Boldyreva (Middle Tennessee)
1/23 | Reghan Grimes (Tennessee Tech) 
1/30 | Anaya Brown (UT Martin)

College players of the week announced - Jan. 23

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – King University freshman Mikhail Pocknett picked up his second straight double-double in as many games as the Wilmington, N.C., native earned this week’s Tennessee Sports Writers Association Men’s Basketball Player of the Week honor for the week of Jan. 15-21. 

Against Barton, Pocknett scored 27 points in the contest, while also collecting 11 rebounds. He also set a new personal best in blocked shots with four. Pocknett shot 11-for-23 from the field and also went 5-for-7 at the free-throw line in 37 minutes of action. 

The game was his third double-double of the season. 

For the season, the freshman is leading the Tornado with a 16.1-point, 6.9-rebound average, collecting 21 assists, 25 steals and 14 blocks to go along with his .449 shooting percentage. 

On the women’s side, Tennessee Tech sophomore Reghan Grimes earned the player of the week nod after scoring a career-best 31 points on an efficient shooting night in the Golden Eagles’ lone action of the week in a 86-81 victory at Tennessee State. 

The Nashville native shot 10-for-15 from the floor, including one 3-pointer, while she also hit 10 of her 11 tosses at the free-throw line. In addition to her first career double-double, Grimes also collected four assists and had two steals in the conference victory. 

The 31 points is the most scored by a Tech player this season and becomes the first Golden Eagle to score that or better since Jordan Brock against UT Martin on Feb. 6, 2021. 

MEN’S BASKETBALL
11/14 | Jack Browder (Carson-Newman)
11/21 | Mikhail Pocknett (King)
11/28 | Jordan Sears (UT Martin)
12/5 | Reed Kemp (Maryville)
12/12 | Jalen Page (Trevecca)
12/19 | John Zhao (Carson-Newman)
1/3 | Nick Brenegan (Carson-Newman)
1/9 | Nick Brenegan (Carson-Newman)
1/16 | Jacob Crews (UT Martin)
1/23 | Mikhail Pocknett (King) 

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
11/14 | Kendal Cheesman (Belmont)
11/21 | Maya Buckhanon (Fisk)
11/28 | Jordyn Cambridge (Vanderbilt)
12/5 | Sacha Washington (Vanderbilt)
12/12 | Maya Buckhanon (Fisk)
12/19 | Jada Guinn (Chattanooga)
1/3 | Faith Wilken (Trevecca)
1/9 | Rickea Jackson (Tennessee)
1/16 | Anastasiia Boldyreva (Middle Tennessee)
1/23 | Reghan Grimes (Tennessee Tech) 

All-state cross country teams announced by TSWA

NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Sports Writers Association announced the all-state teams for golf on Friday, with two classes in Division I and two classes in Division II for both boys and girls. Individual results in the state meet determined the all-state teams.

BOYS
Class A-AA
Ridge Bruce, Camden Central, Sr.
DiAngelo Cisto, Signal Mountain, Sr.
Wyatt Boling, Martin Luther King, So.
Ty Brown, Central Magnet, Jr.
Vinny Peck, Central Magnet, Sr.

Class AAA
Miles Ramer, Ravenwood, Sr.
Matteo Tonnos, Farragut, Sr.
Luke Mussard, Dobyns Bennett, Sr.
Asher Oates, Independence, So.
Braden Ebbert, Farragut, Sr.

Division II-A
Joshua Cross, Christian Academy of Knoxville, Sr.
Ty Withrow, Columbia Academy, So.
Jack Hagerman, Lausanne Collegiate, Jr.
Gabriel Karkau, Columbia Academy, So.
Josh Lofton, Columbia Academy, Jr.

Division II-AA
Colin Eckerman, Webb School-Bell Buckle, Sr.
Jack Bowen, McCallie School, Jr.
Keegan Smith, Knox Catholic, Jr.
Luke Thompson, Brentwood Academy, Sr.
Radek Molchan, Knox Catholic, So.

GIRLS
Class A-AA
Sydney Tackett, Liberty Creek, Jr.
Brynn Balturshot, Station Camp, So.
Ava Moody, Anderson County, So.
Maxine Richards, Signal Mountain, So.
Jacie Begley, Volunteer, Sr.

Class AAA
Claire Stegall, Nolensville, Jr.
Jaynie Halterman, Independence, Sr.
Katie Hetzel, Cookeville, Jr.
Emma Cissna, Hardin Valley, Fr.
Leila Hailey, Rockvale, So.

Division II-A
Abby Faith Cheeseman, Webb School-Bell Buckle, Jr.
Janie Reames, Columbia Academy, Fr.
Presley Miller, Columbia Academy, Jr.
Henley Pritchard, Webb School-Bell Buckle, Fr.
Caroline Anthony, Westminster Academy, Fr.

Division II-AA
Lydia Brunner, Father Ryan, Fr.
Maggie Slattery, Father Ryan, So.
Lily Bowen, Harpeth Hall, Jr.
Jazzlyn Garmer, Webb School-Bell Buckle, So.
Gilly Shumate, Girls Preparatory School, Jr.

Golf all-state teams honored by TSWA

NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Sports Writers Association announced the all-state teams for golf on Thursday, with two classes in Division I and two classes in Division II for both boys and girls. Individual results from the state tournament are used to determine all-state accolades, which includes Top 5 finishers and ties.

BOYS
Class A
William Bacon, Kingston, Sr.
Carson Daniel, Bolivar Central, Jr.
Jason Cole Campbell, Summertown, Jr.
Hayden Howell, Stewart County, So.
Maddox Butler, Waverly, Jr.

Class AA
Parker Elkins, Clarksville, Sr.
Tucker Wick, East Hamilton, Jr.
Will Pinson, Franklin, Jr.
Jackson Whaley, Collierville, So.
Griffin Law, East Hamilton, Jr.
Kaiser Godinez, Collierville, Sr.
Jackson Herrington, Dickson County, Sr.
Cooper Jones, Clarksville, Jr.

Division II-A
Thatsakon Phothong, Webb School-Bell Buckle, 8th grade
Leo Froio, Battle Ground Academy, So.
Nolan Smith, Jackson Christian, So.
Miguel De Gracia, Franklin Road Academy, So.
Caleb Clifft, Fayette Academy, Sr.
Walker Webb, Franklin Road Academy, Fr.

Division II-AA
Blades Brown, Brentwood Academy, So.
Henry O'Keefe, Briarcrest Christian, So.
Theo Desroches, Baylor School, Sr.
Cooper Solberg, Memphis University School, Jr.
Will Jackson, Montgomery Bell Academy, Sr.

GIRLS
Class A
Karlie Campbell, Summertown, Sr.
Brylee Crouse, Kingston, Sr.
Kailey Lane, Kingston, Sr.
Libby Konig, Summertown, Sr.
Tatyana Greene, Cascade, Jr.
Lorien Sweet, Greenback, Sr.

Class AA
Lauren Slatton, Warren County, Sr.
McKenzie Hauk, Dobyns Bennett, Sr.
Sophie Christopher, Germantown Houston, Sr.
Brooke Bennett, Page, So.
Sophia Gambini, Heritage, Jr.

Division II-A
Caroline Pardue, Providence Christian, Sr.
Boonchita Sriwongngam, Webb School-Bell Buckle, Sr.
Jackie Henderson, Battle Ground Academy, Jr.
Claire Todd, Evangelical Christian, Jr.
Isabella Coughlin, Christian Academy of Knoxville, So.

Division II-AA
Alexandra Crews, Ensworth School, Sr.
Savannah Cherry, Ensworth School, Sr.
Dalton Vaughn, St. Cecilia Academy, Jr.
Justine Emond, Baylor School, Jr.
Carlee Rogers, Baylor School, So.

TSWA honors football all-state award winners in classes 4A-6A

NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Sports Writers Association announced the all-state teams for football in Classes 4A-6A in Division I on Tuesday.

CLASS 4A
OFFENSE
QB – Keshawn Tarleton, Pearl-Cohn, Sr.*
QB – Carter Smith, Hardin County, Sr.
QB – Izaiah Hall, Anderson County, Sr.
RB – Rhyan Brown, Melrose, Jr.
RB – Nick Moog, Anderson County, Sr. 
RB – Camarion Miller, Haywood, Jr.
WR – A.J. Jones, Marshall County, Jr.
WR – Blake Wolfard, Signal Mountain, Sr.
OL – Richard Bell, Northview Academy, Sr. 
OL – Judd Taylor, Carter, Jr. 
OL – Kameron Lester, Greeneville, Sr.
OL – Evan Briggs, Upperman, Sr.
OL – Austin Barton, Macon County, Sr.
ATH – Carson Quillen, Greeneville, Jr.
K – Logan Lewis, Lexington, Sr.

DEFENSE
DL – Clayton Harris, Upperman, Sr.
DL – Kobe Smith, Red Bank, Sr.
DL – Mason Ball, Elizabethton, Sr. 
DL – Evan Poticher, Northview Academy, Sr.
DL – Dawson Carson, White House, Jr.
LB – Zeion-Lafredrick Simpson, Pearl-Cohn, Sr.
LB – Adam Billingsley, Hixson, Jr.
LB – Amanuel Dickson, Greeneville, Sr. 
LB – Chris Sanders, Haywood, Sr.
DB – Javonte Pullom, East Ridge, Sr. 
DB – Cameron Miller, Melrose, Sr. 
DB – Joshua Sims, Pearl-Cohn, Jr.
DB – Gabe Borders, Macon County, Jr.*
P – Wyatt Joyce, Marshall County, Sr. 

CLASS 5A
OFFENSE
QB – Kelvin Perkins, Southwind, So.
QB – Mason Baker, Hendersonville, Sr.
QB – Joshua Keith, Clinton, Sr.
RB – Kayden McCoy, Columbia Central, Sr.
RB – De’Jauvis Dozier, Oak Ridge, Sr.
RB – Dominic Reed, Centennial, Sr.*
WR – Kaiki Baker, Hillsboro, Sr.
WR – Isaiah Cobbs, Munford, Sr.
WR – Brandon Heyward, Oak Ridge, Sr. 
OL – Jacob Rathbone, Page, So.
OL – Ty Parker, Walker Valley, Sr. 
OL – Otto Van Rensburg, Sevier County, Jr.
OL – Britton Carver, Knox West, Sr.
OL – Hayden Collett, Nolensville, Sr.
OL – Maurice Shirley, Rhea County, Sr.
ATH – Trey Wilhite, Lenoir City, Sr. 
K – Grant Chadwick, Tullahoma, Sr. 

DEFENSE
DL – Kavion Benton, Southwind, Sr.
DL – Steven Soles Jr., Powell, Sr.
DL – Jhrevious Hall, Columbia Central, Jr.
DL – Conner Phillips, Walker Valley, Sr.
DL – C.J. Smith, Knox West, Sr. 
LB – Eric Hazzard, Page, Jr.*
LB – Antoine Keefer, Southwind, Sr.
LB – Caden Marshall, Henry County, Sr. 
LB – Landon Feggins, McMinn County, Sr. 
LB – Ryan Scott, Knox West, Sr. 
DB – D’Mon Marable, Clinton, Sr.
DB – Jordan Lee, Beech, Sr.
DB – Kollin Collier, Munford, Sr. 
DB – Bryson Headrick, Sevier County, So.
P – Owen Taylor, Knox Halls, Sr.

CLASS 6A
OFFENSE
QB – Braden Graham, Riverdale, Sr.
QB – Kaleb Martin, Bradley Central, Sr.
QB – Chandler Day, Germantown Houston, Jr.
RB – Daune Morris, Oakland, Jr.*
RB – Damon Sisa, Germantown Houston, Sr.
RB – Geron Johnson, Bartlett, Jr.
WR – Brock Montgomery, Riverdale, Sr.
WR – Ben Hubbard, Ravenwood, Jr.
WR – Joakim Dodson, Collierville, Jr.
OL – Duce Hewitt, Oakland, Sr.
OL – Robert Bourdon, Collierville, Sr.
OL – Austin Hoane, Cookeville, So.
OL – Luke Keith, Bradley Central, Sr.
OL – Alex Boyd, Maryville, Jr.
OL – Trent Tatum, West Ridge, Jr. 
ATH – Boo Carter, Bradley Central, Sr.*
K – Daniel Echeverria, Mt. Juliet, Jr.

DEFENSE
DL – Daniel Anderson, Germantown, Sr.
DL – Atticus Fiorita, Mt. Juliet, Jr. 
DL – Kam Frierson, Rockvale, Sr.
DL – D.J. Allen, Germantown, Sr. 
LB – Korey Smith, Oakland, Sr.
LB – Max Orefice, Brentwood, Sr.
LB – Emmit Newman, Jefferson County, Sr. 
LB – Jack Alley, Farragut, Sr. 
DB – Devin Rutherford Jr, Bartlett, Sr. 
DB – Quentin Groves, Siegel, Sr.
DB – Nigel Maynard, Stewarts Creek, Sr. 
DB – Marcus Goree, Bradley Central, Sr.
P – Andrew Bingham, Independence, Jr.

*-Mr. Football finalist