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.
January 30, 2023
UC Top 5 Girls’ Teams
1. Cookeville (LW: 1)
Another spotless week by Cookeville (21-3, 5-0) sees the Lady Cavs remain atop the UC Girls Top 5. District play continues this week as Cookeville hosts Lebanon and Mt. Juliet; two teams they’ve already defeated by double digits.
2. Livingston Academy (LW: 2)
Livingston Academy’s (21-3, 8-0) stranglehold over District 7AAA continues as they picked up wins at Macon County and DeKalb County last week. The Lady Wildcats’ competition ramps up this week as they host Cumberland County on Tuesday before traveling to White County on Friday.
3. York Institute (LW: 3)
York Institute (20-2, 4-0) grew their winning streak to 15 games last week with district wins over Bledsoe County and at Sequatchie. The Dragonettes host Oneida on Monday before two games against Jackson County later in the week.
4. Upperman (LW: 4)
A quiet week for the Lady Bees (21-3, 6-2) saw them take care of business against Macon County on Friday. Upperman gets a taste of Crossville this week as they travel to Stone Memorial on Tuesday before hosting Cumberland County on Friday.
5. Clay County (LW: 5)
A pair of wins by Clay County (19-4, 5-0) last week keeps them firmly in the UC Top 5 as they prepare for a showdown at Clarkrange this week.
Honorable Mentions:
Cumberland County (18-5, 6-2)
Clarkrange (18-6, 4-2)
UC Top 5 Boys’ Teams
1. Stone Memorial (LW: 1)
The Stone Memorial Panthers (19-3, 9-0) picked up wins over rivals Cumberland County and White County last week to push their perfect district record to 9-0. This week, Stone Memorial welcomes Upperman to Crossville, a team that beat them on their home court last year.
2. Clay County (LW: 2)
Clay County’s dominant season continues as they currently sit at 18-3 overall and 6-0 in district play. The Bulldogs wrap up district play this week with a trip to Clarkrange on Tuesday before hosting Gordonsville on Friday.
3. Upperman (LW: 3)
The Upperman Bees (16-5, 6-2) fell to the Tennessee Heat on Tuesday before rebounding against Macon County on Friday. Upperman can shake up district play on Tuesday as they travel to #1 Stone Memorial.
4. York Institute (LW: 5)
York Institute (14-8, 4-0) has won 10 of their last 11 games and gets a chance at revenge against Oneida on Monday. This week has massive District 5AA implications as they face Jackson County twice in 4 days.
5. Jackson County (LW: NR)
Jackson County (15-5, 5-0) makes their way to the UC Top 5 this week as they’ve won 13 of their last 14 games. The Blue Devils can take control of District 5AA as they face York Institute twice this week.
Honorable Mention:
Livingston Academy (20-3)