Basketball coaches in the Upper Cumberland often stress the immense challenge of winning road games due to the intimidating home atmospheres across the area.
But whose home-court advantage is the best?
UCR’s Noah McKay, Rusty Ellis and Michael Lindsay give their opinions:
Rusty’s Top 3:
3. Clarkrange
I think this one has as much to do with the prestige of the Lady Buffaloes program as it does with the dimensions of the gym. It’s tight and compact, and it feels like everyone in the crowd is right on top of you. It’s got an old-school feel to it, and once you add in the packed student section and the pep band, there aren’t too many places that can match the ‘Range.
2. York Institute
The atmosphere alone last year when York welcomed back girls coach Michael Green was one of the best environments I’ve ever been in as a journalist. I love the design of the gym and think that it’s one of the loudest to play in across the state. Unlike Clarkrange, it’s a little more spacious but the sound just bounces back and forth off the walls and there are few fanbases as loud and passionate as the Dragon/Dragonette faithful. It’s called the Dragon Pit, need I say more?
1. Upperman
I don’t think there’s a tougher place to play in the entire UC than Baxter. As with Clarkrange, a lot of that is the pedigree of the program across the floor from you, but the student section at Upperman is hands down the best in the area. They’re packed from the moment the girls game tips off to the moment the boys game ends, and very few schools can claim that. The pregame intros are elite as well, and the support from the community is second to just about none.
Honorable mentions: Pickett County, White County
Noah’s Top 3:
Michael’s Top 3:
3. Upperman
If you win a game at Upperman make sure to take a picture; it doesn’t happen often. The Bees and Lady Bees have a ridiculously high winning percentage on Dana McWilliams Court thanks to their combo of prestigious basketball programs and rocking student section. Upperman goes all out with video boards, light shows and really good basketball. A trip to Baxter is no easy task.
2. White County
When I first arrived on the Upper Cumberland I was told multiple times to see a White County home game, and I was blown away the first time I visited Sparta. Their home crowd is electric and there’s an energy at Sparta you can’t quite explain. One thing you can explain: that place is LOUD. The sellout crowd, packed student section and amazing band makes White County’s home court advantage one of the best in Tennessee. Both sides of the lower level are filled with Warrior fans who make their presence felt early and often. Last Friday’s game against Cookeville showed just how electric Roy Sewell Gymnasium can get.
1. Clarkrange
There’s not a home environment in Tennessee quite like Clarkrange’s. Don’t let the small 1A school in a town with one red light fool you; their home-court advantage is unmatched. Their small, compact gym puts fans and benches on the playing floor (literally), and the Clarkrange community fills that place to the brim every time the doors are open. The court’s smaller dimensions affect how teams can press and run their transition offense. Few floors actually affect game plans; Clarkrange’s does. Not to mention the girls team you’re playing against is one of the most prestigious in Tennessee with 8 state championships and the winningest coach in state history, Lamar Rogers.
Clarkrange’s combination of fan support, compact design and prestigious program make the ‘Range my toughest environment on the Upper Cumberland.
Oh, and dress cool; it’ll probably be 85° in there.
Honorable Mentions: Stone Memorial, Livingston Academy, York Institute