The 2021 TSSAA Girls’ State Basketball Tournament is set to begin on Wednesday at the Murphy Center on the campus of Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro.
Three teams from the Upper Cumberland, Macon County, Clay County and Clarkrange will be competing for the ultimate prize in high school basketball. UCR will have complete coverage of all three teams’ journeys throughout the tournament.
To kick off our coverage of the tournament, here is a brief recap of each teams’ season.
Macon County Tigerettes
Record: 23-6
First game: Thursday 10 a.m. vs Covington (25-5)
Players to watch for: Jalynn Gregory and Abby Shoulders
Season story:
The Tigerettes are headed to the state tournament for the fifth consecutive year. Expectations were high for MCHS entering the season. They were looking to replace Miss Basketball Keeley Carter, but still had a star in the form of MTSU signee Gregory. They raced out to a 9-0 start before hitting a speedbump, dropping four out of six games through a difficult portion of the schedule. They bounced back to go 12-2 over their remaining games, including a Region 4/AA championship.
The Tigerettes were in the final four of the state tournament in 2020 before it was cancelled due to COVID-19. They are a tested and experienced group, and are one of the favorites to bring home a gold ball.
Clarkrange Lady Buffaloes
Record: 27-5
First game: Wednesday 4 p.m. vs Summertown (27-3)
Players to watch for: Kassie and Kaylie Monday
Season story:
The Lady Buffaloes are making their fourth straight trip to the state tournament, and their 12th trip since 2004. It was another dominant season for Clarkrange. Their five losses came against teams from upper classifications or a private school. They are undefeated against single-A opponents with their smallest margin of victory being 17 points.
The Monday twins have played at a high level throughout their senior season, with Kassie being named a finalist for Miss Basketball. They boast a strong supporting cast around the guards, and present matchup problems to all opponents. The single-A bracket features eight great teams, but the Lady Buffaloes are the odds-on favorite to win their ninth state title.
Clay County Lady Bulldogs
Record: 20-10
First game: Wednesday 10 a.m. vs Peabody (26-7)
Players to watch for: Katie Arms and Rachel Copass
Season story:
The Lady Bulldogs are going to Murfreesboro for the first time in nine years. In the preseason, Clarkrange and Pickett County dominated the headlines out of District 6/A, but Clay County emerged as a threat as the season progressed.
After a 5-5 start to the season, CCHS rattled off eight straight wins to propel them early in district play. They earned a big two-point win over Pickett County in the district tournament semifinal, and then knocked out Van Buren County on the road in the region tournament. They punched their ticket to Murfreesboro with a hard-fought 60-53 win over Huntland.
The Lady Bulldogs may not be looked at as a favorite in the tournament to many outsiders, but they have weapons, a balanced attack, and poise a big threat to anyone matched up against them. They could be a darkhorse this week in Murfreesboro.