Anderson County’s Deameion Leavell fends off Stone Memorial’s Cade Radcliffe on the opening kickoff during Friday night’s second-round playoff game in Clinton. The Mavericks rolled to a 44-14 win and will travel to Greeneville on Friday, Nov. 21, for the Class 4A quarterfinals. - Tony Cox
Anderson County looked every bit like a team hitting its postseason stride Friday night.
One week after a sluggish opening-round performance, the Mavericks delivered a complete effort and cruised past Stone Memorial 44-14 in the second round of the Class 4A state playoffs at ACHS. Coach Davey Gillum had said his team needed a sharper outing than it showed in a 37-21 win over Volunteer. He got exactly that.
The Mavericks (9-2) erupted for 23 first-quarter points and never allowed the Panthers to gain traction, punching their ticket to the state quarterfinals.
“It was a good win against a good Stone Memorial team. The defense played lights out all night,” Gillum said. “We kept pressure on their quarterback and had him running for his life from the get-go.
“Lane LaRue, Rocky Brown, Jackson Davis and Yashawn Campbell all had sacks. Reese Russell and Deameion Leavell both had interceptions. The defense got Stone off the field quickly and gave the offense plenty of time to score points.”
The Anderson County defense set the tone early. With 9 minutes, 55 seconds left in the first quarter, the Mavericks took a 2-0 lead when Stone quarterback Kyle Hinch was tackled in his own end zone for a safety.
Keenan Hoskins takes the top position to control his opponent during Saturday’s Dan Dugger Preseason Tournament at Karns High School. - Tony Cox
The 2025-26 wrestling season got its first spark Saturday as Clinton High School stepped onto the mats for the Dan Dugger Preseason Tournament in Northwest Knox County.
The Dragons were one of several teams that made the trip to Karns High School, where Clinton sent 12 wrestlers into live action for the first time under new head coach Carl Nielsen. Nielsen replaces former coach Channing McDonald, who stepped down after the 2024-25 campaign.
While the preseason tournament offered a low-stakes environment, the Dragons delivered a spirited debut—especially with several athletes experiencing competitive wrestling for the first time.
“I thought we exceeded my expectations,” Nielsen said. “You can learn about moves in the wrestling room and then when the whistle blows for a real match, you forget everything. I don’t focus on wins and losses. I concentrate more on performance. I had four wrestlers that were wrestling for the first time ever and it’s like I told the parents, you need to be proud of those guys.”
Anderson County’s Zed Hulet controls Clinton’s Keenan Hoskins from the top position during action Saturday at the Dan Dugger Preseason Tournament at Karns High School. - Tony Cox
The 2024-25 high school wrestling season unofficially got underway over the weekend as Anderson County High School hit the mats at the Dan Dugger Preseason Tournament at Karns High School.
The Mavericks brought nine boys to the preseason event, while the Lady Mavericks were represented by standout Danielle Connors, a returning state qualifier.
Several experienced wrestlers saw early action in the preseason tune-up, including Aiden Reed (113 pounds), Zed Hulet (138), Hayden Harrell (144), Max Wolfley (152), Edwin Presson (157), Evan Prewitt (175), and Henry Linkes and Gabe Smith, who both competed at 190 pounds. Newcomer Daniel Massengill (132) also made his preseason debut for the Mavericks.
The tournament served as an early test for a program that has become a fixture on Tennessee’s wrestling scene. Anderson County has reached the state duals in each of the past two seasons and had multiple individual state qualifiers last year. That included one state champion and another finalist.
Shea Rainey returns to the Mavericks swim team for the 2025 season but has been re-classified and will compete as a freshman. - Tony Cox
The 2025-26 swim season has jumped off the blocks for Anderson County High School, though the Mavericks and Lady Mavs will have a brief lull before they dive back into competition in mid-December.
Anderson County fields a small but experienced roster this year, and coach Stephanie Coker believes the program’s four returning athletes can still make waves despite their limited numbers. The boys’ side features just one competitor: freshman Shea Rainey, who returns to the pool after reclassifying. While he is ineligible for the state meet this season, Coker said the year offers him a chance to build strength and sharpen his technique.
“He swam for the Mavs last season but he’s re-classified and will compete as a freshman. Thus, he’ll not be eligible for the state meet,” Coker said. “Shea will not be eligible for the state meet since he re-classified, so he’s going to use the season to work and train.”
For the first time in recent memory — and perhaps ever — Oak Ridge High School will field its own wrestling team.
Bam Thomas, an Oak Ridge assistant football coach and former South-Doyle wrestler, is charged with building the program from the ground up. Until now, student-athletes in Oak Ridge participated in the sport through a co-op arrangement with Bearden. Thomas said it was time for the Wildcats to have a home of their own on the mat.
“That’s why we’re doing this,” he said. “We have about 40 kids out and we owe it to the community to have wrestling at the school.”
ORHS entered the week with 35 athletes in the new program, including 30 boys and five girls. For a school with one of Tennessee’s most tradition-rich athletic histories, Thomas said the goal is not just participation — it’s to build a contender.
Norris Middle School’s boys basketball team is off to a fast start and the Senators remained undefeated as they toppled Huntsville, 38-10, on Thursday at home.
They were also the recipients of some good fortune on Monday, Nov. 10 as they edged Cherokee, 37-36, to open the week.
In that game, Norris was trailing, 36-35 late in the contest, when Cherokee was called for a technical foul.
Following the infraction, Cooper Downs converted a pair of free throws and propelled the Senators into the win column.
“Cherokee got a technical foul at the end and Cooper Downs made two clutch free throws late,” Norris coach Trey Bingham said. “We were about to lose the game.”
Norris Middle School’s girls basketball team kept its perfect record intact with a pair of wins last week.
The Lady Senators improved to 6-0 with victories over Huntsville and Cherokee.
On Thursday, Norris routed Huntsville, 52-2 as Montgomery Bingham scored a game-high 11 points. Kaylee Matchette added seven points and Addie Blevins finished with six.
The Lady Senators opened the week with a 39-26 victory over Cherokee on Monday, Nov. 10.
Sadie Housley and Addison Willoughby scored nine points each and Emerson Irwin finished with seven.
The Clinton Lady Hawks split their two-game week, dropping a district matchup to Horace Maynard on Monday before responding with a dominant 47–20 road win at Jefferson Middle School on Thursday.
Despite a monster performance from Shelby Carroll, who posted an 11-point, 13-rebound double-double, Clinton came up short in a 40–28 loss to district foe Horace Maynard. Clinton trailed 23–20 before the Lady Devils used an 8–0 run to create separation in the second half.
The Lady Hawks controlled the second quarter, outscoring Horace Maynard 8–7, and battled well inside with 25 total rebounds and three blocked shots — all from Carroll. Myla Queener added eight points, Tora Beeler scored four, Ceci Brooks finished with three, and both Caroline Jones and Rae Britton chipped in a point apiece.
Clinton bounced back in emphatic fashion two days later, improving to 3–3 with a 47–20 win at Jefferson. Caroline Jones and Kailyn Martin each scored 13 points, and Clinton never trailed in the contest. A 17-0 run spanning the second and third quarters helped the Lady Hawks stretch a 20–12 lead into a commanding 32–12 halftime advantage.
Clinton tallied 15 assists on 19 made baskets, with Queener directing the offense for seven assists and nine points. Carroll again anchored the interior with six rebounds and six points. Ceci Brooks scored four, and Lilly Scheffers added two.
“The girls said they were ready to prove we’re a good team, and did exactly that tonight,” head coach Jason Love said. “It was a great all-around performance and a big win for us moving forward.”
8th grader Jayden Bounds shoots a free throw at Jefferson on Nov. 13.
The CMS Hawks wrapped up a split week of competition, falling to district opponent Horace Maynard on Monday before notching a hard-earned 43–38 victory Thursday at Jefferson Middle School. Clinton sits at 3–3 overall.
Clinton built a 24–17 halftime lead on the road but couldn’t hold off Horace Maynard’s late surge, eventually falling 39–34. The Hawks led 30–21 before the Red Devils put together an 11-0 run to flip the game in the second half.
Deacon McGhee led the Hawks with 14 points. Clinton dominated the glass with 35 rebounds, including 11 from Victor Barrett. Levi Braden hit a pair of threes and finished with eight points. Canyon Long added seven, Bryce Slaven scored three, and Barrett chipped in two. CMS also recorded four blocked shots in the loss.
The Hawks responded with a resilient performance Thursday, securing a 43–38 win at Jefferson behind 12 points and five assists from Deacon. Clinton used a 15–2 run in the first half to build momentum and led 21–10 at the break. After Jefferson briefly took a 37–36 lead with a 10-0 fourth-quarter run, the Hawks regrouped and closed out the game with strong defense and timely scoring.
Clinton shot 16-of-30 inside the arc and assisted on 10 of its 17 field goals. Canyon Long grabbed five rebounds, while Levi Braden, Victor Barrett, Jayden Bounds, and Pierson Lollar each added six points. Long added three.
“It was a hard-fought team win tonight,” head coach Matt McGhee said, on the Jefferson win. “We grew up a little in the second half. Things weren’t going our way, but we persevered and came away with the ‘W.’ We still have areas to improve, but we’re slowly coming together.”
The CMS Hawks and Lady Hawks are on the road this week, traveling to Webb School on Monday, then to Northview in Kodak for a district showdown on Thursday.
