By Michael Lindsay
The first UC Basketball Top 5 Rankings for 2024 are here with Cookeville’s boys and York Institute’s girls holding the top spots. The UC top 5 is revealed each week first on the UCR Basketball Coaches Show Presented by Fire & Vine.
Complete rankings available below:
Girls
1. York Institute (11-3)
The York Institute Dragonettes have won 10 of their last 11 games with the lone loss coming to Class 4A’s Blackman. York has key wins over Seymour, Clay County, Cookeville, Webb School, White County and Cleveland during the stretch. The Dragonettes open District play against Watertown on Friday.
2. Cookeville (12-3)
Cookeville opened 2024 on the right track Tuesday with a 72-46 victory at Stone Memorial for their 6th win in their last 7 games. Senior forward Isabel Garcia posted a pair of double-doubles over the holiday break against Huntingdon and Gatlinburg-Pittman. The Lady Cavs have a week off before hosting Smyrna next Tuesday, Jan. 9.
3. Upperman (14-2)
After suffering back-to-back losses, the Lady Bees rebounded with three straight victories Elizabethton, South Green and Oak Ridge to improve to 14-2. Taylor Dolente averaged 16.8 points for the Lady Bees in 4 games at the Andrew Johnson Bank Ladies’ Classic in Greeneville last week. Upperman opens District 7-3A play Friday in Crossville as they’re set to face Stone Memorial.
Cumberland County (12-4)
After entering Christmas break at 11-1, he Lady Jets went 1-3 in Tampa Bay to make their current record 12-4. Cumberland County was without senior forward Jalynn Baldwin while in Tampa, but freshman Sydney Wilhite picked up the slack with a pair of 38-point and 37-point performances. CCHS hosts Livingston Academy this Friday in District 7-3A play.
White County (17-1)
The White County Warriorettes picked up four wins in California last week to improve to 17-1 overall on the season. White County opens District 7-3A play this Friday as they hit the road to DeKalb County.
Honorable mention: Pickett County
Boys
1. Cookeville (13-3)
The Cookeville Cavaliers remain atop the boys UC Top 5 rankings following a 75-62 victory at Stone Memorial on Tuesday. Cookeville has won 5 of their last 6 and has a week to prepare for their District 7-4A opener against Smyrna next Tuesday.
2. Upperman (11-3)
Upperman has won 6 of their last 7 games including 3 straight to win the Lenoir City Christmas Classic last week. Upperman’s football players have been back in the lineup for a month now as the Bees open District 7-3A play Friday at Stone Memorial.
3. Stone Memorial (10-6)
The 10-6 Stone Memorial Panthers have tested themselves early with contests against defending Class 2A and 3A champions Alcoa and Fulton along with a pair of games against Cookeville. The Panthers are led by junior Cade Capps, who is averaging 29.3 points per game on 49% shooting. The Panthers open District 7-3A play Friday at home against defending champion Upperman.
4. York Institute (8-5)
The York Institute Dragons are rounding into shape after a slow start as the’ve won 5 straight games dating back to Dec. 19. Similar to Upperman, the Dragons were missing multiple starters due to football including forwards Bryson Bilbrey and Will Beaty. Point guard Myles Leffew missed extended time with an injury, but has since returned as the Dragons are 5-1 with him in the lineup. York hosts Watertown in their district opener on Friday.
5. Pickett County (10-4)
Pickett County picked won a rivalry game over Clinton County, KY, Tuesday evening to improve to 10-4 overall this season. Junior point guard Jacob Amonett recently scored his 1,00th-career-point for the Bobcats they’ve won 4 of their last 5. Pickett County travels to Clay County Friday to open District 7-1A play.