Throughout the 2021-2022 high school basketball season, UCR’s Noah McKay, Rusty Ellis and Kailee Means will put out their top five boys’ and girls’ basketball teams in the Upper Cumberland as part of the UC Top 5 Presented by TLTSports Performance.
December is here! Last week saw some huge games, and we are inching closer to the start of district play. No new teams are in the top-5 as we are starting to get some clarity on who the top teams are, but it is still early in the season. Let’s get into this week’s list!
UC Top 5 Girls’
- Cookeville (LW: 2)
We have a new number one for the first time this season. The Lady Cavs earned the spot with their overtime win at White County. CHS is 6-0 and have a very impressive early-season resume. Cassie Gallagher is playing at an elite level, and KK Graves and Jordan Gillies have been great as well, but it has been the ascension of Bailey Gillies and Chay Cunningham that has turned the Lady Cavaliers into a powerhouse. They have another tough week with York and Stewart’s Creek. If they leave this week 8-0 we need to have a discussion as to whether or not this team has a ceiling.
- White County (LW: 1)
There’s no shame in losing to one of the top 4A teams in the state, and the Warriorettes gave CHS all they could handle. They erased a double-digit deficit in the second half and nearly stole the game to protect their undefeated record. There is a real question when it comes to the WCHS guard play, as they hit zero threes against CHS, and they’ll have to make free throws, but this is still a great team. They open district play on Friday with a huge game at Sparta against the Lady Bees and their top defense.
- Upperman (LW: 3)
The Lady Bees continue to impress with a win at Oakland. Jayla Cobb tallied her career high in the matchup and if she can continue to emerge it will be a big boost to the UHS offense. They are one of the stingiest defensive teams in the state, and while there may be some concerns about their depth, the wins continue to stack up. Their matchup with Sparta on Friday will tell us a lot about District 7/AAA, and about what the order of the top three should be.
- Livingston Academy (LW: 4)
Another strong week for the Lady Wildcats as they handed Pickett County their first loss before obliterating Lighthouse Christian. The Lady Wildcats are stacked, and while White County and Upperman may steal some headlines, LA is very capable of winning District 7/AAA. With a core of stars and great depth, the Lady Wildcats are building something special in Livingston.
- York (LW: 5)
The Dragonettes took care of business last week with wins over both Crossville schools. They stay at five because of the dominance of the teams above them, but a win over Cookeville on Tuesday would present an opportunity for them to rocket up the rankings. Reese Beaty is rounding into form, and that’s a terrifying prospect for teams facing York in the coming months. They are a favorite in 2A to win a state title.
Honorable Mention:
Pickett County
UC Top 5 Boys’
- Clay County (LW: 1)
A quiet week for the Bulldogs who routed Macon County on Tuesday. They’ve been great in their four games, but will their lack of activity hurt them later on in December against teams with more games under their belt? Time will tell, but for now the Bulldogs are still our unanimous number one.
- Pickett County (LW: 2)
Another week with two wins against teams from larger classifications for the Bobcats. Outside of a narrow loss against Cookeville (without Zach Amonett), PCHS has been dominant. We’ll have to wait until January 7 for their matchup against Clay County, but they’ve got an interesting matchup on Friday at Gordonsville. Is it too early to predict PCHS vs CCHS for a gold ball in March?
- Cookeville (LW: 4)
The Cavaliers opened the week with a disheartening loss at Station Camp, but bounced back with an impressive win at White County. They move up to the number three spot because of that win and because of the return of Colin Ayers. He provides a big boost for the CHS offense as an elite shot creator for his teammates at the point guard position. As the Cavs continue to get healthy, we expect them to get better. They’ve got a big home matchup with York on Tuesday.
- White County (LW: 3)
The Warriors opened the week with a huge win at Warren County, then dropped their matchup with CHS and were closing in on a win at Van Buren County before the game was declared a no contest due to leaking pipes on the floor. They fall a spot due to the H2H loss against Cookeville, but they’re still enjoying a nice start to the season. The emergence of Thomas Paul has given them a go-to scorer, and Japheth Richmond has begun to rise as an upcoming star. They’ve got a big road test at Upperman on Friday night.
- York (LW: 5)
The Dragons went 2-0 last week with wins over the Crossville schools. They have an opportunity to ascend to the top-three of the list on Tuesday with their road game at Cookeville. Nic Smith has been sensational to start the season, and the Dragons are the odds-on favorite to win their district. We’re watching them closely this week.
Honorable MentionS:
DeKalb County
Jackson County