The postseason is here! Seasons are on the line and teams are hoping to play their best basketball right now.
This week was, by far, the toughest to put the top five together. The fact is there are six girls’ teams in the Upper Cumberland who deserve a spot in the top five. Another list may have the team we have as an honorable mention as their second-ranked team, and they aren’t wrong. We’ll do our best to explain our reasoning.
Let’s get into this week’s UC Top-5 Presented by TLTSports Performance!
UC Top 5 Girls’
- Cookeville (LW: 1)
The Lady Cavs wrapped up a 26-0 regular season with a blowout over Wilson Central. With the first undefeated season in school history, they have already left a legacy, but the goal for this team is clear… Bring a gold ball to Cookeville.
- Upperman (LW: 4)
The Lady Bees ended the regular season on a seven game winning streak, including a huge home win over Livingston on Tuesday. They then avenged their earlier season loss against DeKalb County with a 30-point win over the Lady Tigers. The UHS defense stifles opponents, and while they may not have scoring depth, they were in every game they played this season. They are inarguably the most dangerous four-seed in the state, and they jump up to the second spot due to the chaos on the list below.
- York (LW: 5)
The Dragonettes continued their winning ways as they rolled to the District 5/2A title. They won 11 out of their last 12 games, and each of the wins came by double-digits. Led by Reese and Gabby Beaty and a fantastic supporting cast, we will be surprised if the Dragonettes do not make the state tournament.
- Cumberland County (LW: HM)
Statement made. The Lady Jets swept White County to earn the one-seed in the District 7/AAA tournament by nature of their tiebreaker over Sparta and Livingston. Emery Baragona is a star, and the CCHS defense presented proplems for Sparta on Friday and Saturday. Credit the Lady Jets, while everyone was talking about Upperman, Livingston and Livingston, it was CCHS who captured the district title.
- White County (LW: 2)
First off, all of our thoughts and prayers are with Braydyn Taylor. Life is more important than basketball.
It was a rough week for White County, on and off the court, but their strong play early in the season set them up to be able to still be tied for first place in the district. CCHS presented matchup problems with their athletic guards. The Sparta lineup is huge, but they’ll have to be able to protect the basketball better if they want to go on a deep run. They’ll have an opportunity to bounce back on Tuesday against Stone Memorial.
Honorable Mention:
Livingston
Livingston deserved to be on the list, but they were the odd team out this week by nature of their loss against Upperman on Tuesday and Sparta last week. It was very close.
UC Top 5 Boys’
- York (LW: 1)
The Dragons rounded out the regular season at 21-6, on an 11-game winning streak and as the Region 5/2A champions. They are as hot as any team in the state, and appear to be poised to go on a deep run. They maintain the top spot.
- Jackson County (LW: 3)
The Blue Devils had an up-and-down week, dropping a home matchup with Smith County, but bouncing back with a road win over Clay County. The totality of their resume gives them the edge as they move back up the list to second. Now they’ll see if they can solve how to beat York in the district tournament.
- Clay County (LW: 2)
The Bulldogs drop a spot due to their loss against Jackson County, but it was another successful regular season for the defending champs. A 17-6 overall record and a District 7/A title has given the Bulldogs a strong position moving into the postseason. Enjoy watching Grant Strong for the next month. Players like him do not come around often.
- Smith County (LW: 5)
The Owls move up a spot with their win over Jackson County, despite their narrow rivalry loss at Trousdale County on the next night. A 23-5 overall record and a district title should give the Owls confidence that they can bring a gold ball to Carthage if they play to the level they are capable of.
- White County (LW: HM)
Here come the Warriors. They ended the season on a five-game winning streak including a sweep over Cumberland County. There is little doubt they are playing their best basketball at the right time, and now they’ll turn their sites towards a run to the District 7/AAA tournament championship.
Honorable Mention:
Pickett County