Upperman’s Season Ends In Semifinal Round Of State Tournament

The Upperman Bees’ 2020-2021 basketball season came to an end in a 47-41 loss against the Greeneville Greene Devils in the semifinal round of the state tournament on Friday in Murfreesboro.

The Greene Devils closed the game on an 8-0 run to secure the win as the Bees’ season ended one game short of their ultimate goal.

“I thought we played pretty well,” said UHS head coach Bobby McWilliams. “We would’ve liked to have shot it a little better from the perimeter, but Greeneville’s really good. We just couldn’t get on a little bit of a run in the second half. I’m just really proud of our team.”

The two Class AA powerhouses battled from the opening tip. Collin Gore made a jumper with 2:58 to play in the opening frame to start an 8-2 UHS run to end the frame.

The Greene Devils answered in the second quarter, tying the game at 18 with a layup by Mr. Basketball finalist Jakobi Gillespie. Jace McWilliams then buried a three and Gore made a layup to give the Bees a 25-21 lead at halftime.

Greeneville increased their defensive pressure in the third quarter, and it proved beneficial as they forced several turnovers. They ended the third on a 12-2 run to regain the lead at 33-37.

“It was a little different in the second half,” said McWilliams. “They went to a zone and it took us a few possessions to get dialed back in… it turned the momentum of the game a little bit.”

Alex Rush scored the opening eight UHS points of the fourth quarter as the Bees took a 41-39 lead, but they would not score again as Gillespie scored six straight to propel the Greene Devils to the win.

“It is what it is,” said McWilliams. “That was two good teams. Unfortunately, someone’s got to lose.”

Rush scored 16 points and eight rebounds. Jace McWilliams added 10 points and five rebounds. Gore and Jaxon Fox each tallied six and AJ Nash scored three for Upperman.

The game marked the final contest for Upperman’s record-breaking senior class. They won over 100 games and made two state tournaments.

“These (seniors) are going to be very special adults,” said McWilliams. “They’re so close and they’re so unselfish. You get very few groups like that. Just proud of them.”

The Bees end the season with a 27-6 record. They were the District 8/AA regular season and tournament champions. It was their seventh trip to the state tournament in school history.

Photos by Noah McKay:

4F0A64204F0A64214F0A64224F0A64234F0A64244F0A64264F0A64274F0A64284F0A64294F0A64314F0A64344F0A64364F0A64374F0A64394F0A64404F0A64434F0A64464F0A64474F0A64484F0A64504F0A64534F0A64554F0A64574F0A64584F0A64614F0A64634F0A64644F0A64654F0A64664F0A64674F0A64704F0A64714F0A64724F0A64734F0A64744F0A64754F0A64774F0A64794F0A64814F0A64824F0A64834F0A64854F0A64884F0A64894F0A64914F0A64924F0A64944F0A64964F0A64974F0A64984F0A65004F0A65014F0A65034F0A65044F0A65054F0A65074F0A65084F0A65104F0A65124F0A65134F0A65144F0A6515