UC Top 5; Jan. 16, 2023

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 16, 2023

 

UC Top 5 Girls’ Teams

1. Livingston Academy (LW: 3)

A statement week by the Livingston Academy Lady Wildcats (15-3, 5-0) propels them to #1 following wins over White County on Tuesday and a massive 47-38 victory at Upperman Friday. Livingston hasn’t lost to a team from Tennessee since November and has defeated Cookeville, White County, Upperman and Cumberland County in a 16-day stretch. LA also has wins over Pickett County, Creek Wood and Clarkrange.

2. Cookeville (LW: 1)

The Cookeville Lady Cavaliers (16-3, 2-0) cruised through a week of District 9-4A play by defeating Green Hill, 52-28, and Lebanon, 60-35. Cookeville is firing on all cylinders as they’ve won 6 of their last 7 with the lone loss coming to Livingston. The Lady Cavs hit the road to Mt. Juliet on Tuesday before a massive back-to-back slate with Blackman (19-1) on Friday and Warren County (14-5) on Saturday.

3. York Institute (LW: 2)

The York Dragonettes (17-2, 1-0) added two more impressive wins to their resume this week: a road victory at Clay County and a neutral site win over Page on Saturday. York missed out on a district game Friday due to weather, but the Dragonettes return to 5AA play Tuesday with a trip to Monterey. York falls a spot this week due to Livingston’s jump to #1.

4. Upperman (LW: 4)

The Upperman Lady Bees (18-3, 3-2) fell at home to a red-hot Livingston Academy team Friday evening following a 41-25 win at Cumberland County on Tuesday. The defending 3A champs stay in the comfort of their home gym this week with district games against DeKalb County and White County.

5. White County (LW: 5)

White County (17-5, 4-1) split two District 7AAA games last week as they fell to #1 Livingston Academy before defeating Macon County, 74-44. White County faces another gauntlet week as they host Cumberland County on Tuesday before a trip to Upperman Friday. The Warriorettes could make a statement with two big rivalry wins.

Honorable Mentions:

Clay County (15-4)

Pickett County (13-6)

 

UC Top 5 Boys’ Teams

1. Livingston Academy  (LW: 2)

No surprise here as the undefeated Livingston Academy Wildcats (17-0, 5-0) jump back atop the UC Boys Top 5 following victories over #5 White County and #4 Upperman. There’s no resting on their laurels, however, as LA travels to #2 Stone Memorial (15-3, 5-0) Tuesday for a showdown atop District 7AAA.

2. Stone Memorial (LW: 1)

Stone Memorial (15-3, 5-0) slides back to #2 following #1 Livingston’s win at #4 Upperman and the Panthers falling at home to Webb on Thursday. Stone welcomes their most important test to date as the undefeated Livingston Academy Wildcats visit Crossville on Tuesday with first place in District 7AAA on the line.

3. Clay County (LW: 4)

The Clay County Bulldogs (14-3, 3-0) avenged one of their only losses earlier this week as they defeated York, 59-47. Clay County has won 5 straight and travels to Gordonsville (14-4, 3-0) on Tuesday for their biggest district game to date.

4. Upperman (LW: 3)

The Upperman Bees (12-4, 3-2) drop a spot this week following their narrow loss to #1 Livingston Academy, 58-56. Upperman keeps their district slate going this week with home games against DeKalb County and #5 White County.

5. White County (LW: 5)

White County (12-8, 2-3) remains at #5 this week after they split last week’s games against #1 Livingston and Macon County. The Warriors have revenge on their minds this week as they travel to #4 Upperman on Friday, who beat them in overtime earlier this season.

Honorable Mentions:

Gordonsville (14-4)