UC Top 5 Presented By TLTSports Performance – December 19, 2022

Each week during the 2022-23 high school basketball season, UCR’s Rusty Ellis, Michael Lindsay and Noah McKay will release the UC Top 5. The lists will feature the top 5 girls’ and boys’ basketball teams in the Upper Cumberland, according to them.

Please note this list is 100% opinion-based and will change throughout the season.

December 19, 2022

UC Top 5 Girls’ Teams

  1. Cookeville (LW: 1)

The Lady Cavs’ grip on the top spot got a little tighter this week after a strong win on the road against Warren County. The young CHS guards are continuing to emerge and provide a boost for Jordan Gillies and Cassie Gallagher. Jamie Gillies is known for welcoming all challengers, and while that should serve CHS well, it is the only reason they are not undefeated right now.

2. White County (LW: 3)

The Warriorettes have earned the two-spot this week. Despite losing Celeste Reed to an injury during the DeKalb County game, they are still blowing past quality opponents. Nia Powers is dominating, and the Warriorettes are one of the favorites in a stacked Frank’s Christmas Shootout field.

3. York (LW: 2)

The Dragonettes dropped their second game of the season on Tuesday with a competitive loss at Cookeville. There’s no shame in that, they simply fall one spot due to the recent dominance of Sparta. They bounced back with an impressive win over Clay County, and now have an opportunity to improve their resume in a stacked field in Sparta at the Frank’s Christmas Shootout.

4. Upperman (LW: 4)

The Lady Bees hang on to the four spot after two wins at an event in Florida. Generally we do not put much stock into wins or losses out of state due to lack of information, and that remains true here.

5. Livingston (LW: 5)

On most lists, LA would be number one, that is how stacked the girls’ basketball is in the UC. The Lady Cats have won six in a row, including three straight blowouts and are playing good basketball. they’ll have an an opportunity to move up the list early in the new year when we get into District 7/AAA play.

Honorable Mentions:

Cumberland County:

Pickett County

UC Top 5 Boys’ Teams

  1. Upperman (LW: 1)

The Bees lost their first game of the season to an undefeated team in Florida. As previously mentioned, we do not put much stock into those games due to complete lack of knowledge on opponents. Tbe Bees hang on to the top spot by nature of what they’ve done in the state of Tennessee this year, but the gap between the top two did shrink.

2. Cookeville (LW: 3)

The Cavaliers have an argument for the top spot, and if they continue to stack wins they will have a shot to take it, but they do move up a spot this week by nature of wins over York and Warren County. While they were not dominant, they were clearly the better team in both matchups and Josh Heard is playing the best basketball of anyone in the Upper Cumberland.

3. Stone Memorial (LW: 2)

The Panthers had a less-than-stellar week as they escaped Cumberland County with a four-point win before knocking off Apostolic Christian at home. They are 10-1 and certainly capable of returning to the top spot, but there are things coach Capps will want to correct before District 7/AAA play ramps up.

4. Livingston (LW: 4)

The Livingston Academy Wildcats are 7-0 and continue to pass every test. They haven’t played the toughest schedule, but all you can do is play who is lined up across from you, and that’s exactly what LA has done. They’ll look to continue their strong play in a couple of holiday tournaments before turning their attention to district play.

5. White County (LW: 5)

The Warriors survived a test at DeKalb County before rolling past Van Buren County enroute to 7-2. They’ll have an opportunity to move up the list in a good Frank’s Christmas Shootout field that features teams like East Nashville and York.

Honorable Mentions:

Monterey

Pickett County