Fighting Cocks bring ‘attacking mindset’ into this season
JAKE NICHOLS sports editor
NEWPORT — Since his promotion to head coach in 2020, Casey Ragan’s Cocke County basketball teams have seen consistent improvement.
But he will be the first to admit that last season — 11-18 overall with an unexpected loss to Seymour in the District 3-AAA Tournament play-in game — did not go as expected.
“It was disappointing,” Ragan said ahead of this season. “I felt like we underachieved, and I mentioned it again on our first day of practice. That’s the last time I’m going to mention it, but we know as a group that we had an underachieving season for our standard, which is where it should be.
“I think the guys are hungry, they’ve responded well, and I think them seeing the girls make a run last year made them think about the fact that we were in so many games last year.”
Still, for the Fighting Cocks to make good on that hope, Ragan said some things had to change.
“I think they see the potential is there, but our habits had to change,” he said. “We’ve taken a more attacking mindset in the weight room, in conditioning, and in drills. Probably the most competitive I’ve seen in years in practices so far.
“They are getting after each other, and the good thing is that we have a pretty talented and deep roster. Nobody can get complacent.”
Indeed, between experienced veterans and younger players who saw time last year, that roster is quite possibly the deepest and most experienced that Ragan has had.
A whopping 13 players lead the varsity team as juniors and seniors, and this season, CCHS will look to use that experience to move further than they did last year.
They are looking to win their first region game since 2008, which is when Ragan was in high school.
To do that they will look to Kyler Hayes, Ethan Fine and Oren Hazelwood, who spearhead the senior class with Hayes and Fine earning All-District honors last year. Hayes also scored his 1,000th point last November, and he brings the most experience of any on this veteran-heavy team. It seems like forever ago that he came in as a freshman,” said Ragan. “Two or three weeks in, he took over that starting spot and hasn’t looked back. He’s hungry
to get this team where we think we can go.”
As far as his skillset, Hayes has always been a solid scorer and rebounder, anchoring the Big Red in the post.
But Ragan noted that he wants to see him take the next step, which involves understanding and anticipating his defensive setup more, as well as showcasing leadership this year.
“He’s seen where to be on the defensive side, just hasn’t gotten there in time before,” said Ragan.
“But he’s been around, and these guys know that. They’ll have questions and will look to him. So whether he’s ready for it or not, he’s been thrust into that role.”
Fine, meanwhile, has emerged as a consistent shooting threat over the last two seasons.
“When youthink you have doneenough, do alittlemore, becausesomeoneout thereisworking harderthan you.” Larr yBird
BACKWOODS BARGAINS
Now, though, he has a chance to utilize his tall body to score in multiple ways on the floor.
“He’s got a lot of respect about how well he shoots from outside,” said Ragan. “But he also has size and length where he can get to the rim and be explosive.
“Then defensively he’s a matchup problem, can guard almost one through five. When Ethan wants to be, he can be one of the best players on the floor.”
Hazelwood, nicknamed “Ol’ Steady” by Ragan as he spoke, will run the point guard position when he comes back from a lingering hamstring injury.
But given the depth and his improved shooting, Hazelwood can also slide over to the 2 if needed.
He has also been a solid off-ball defender, but Ragan said he needs to be better on-ball.
For Jerome Cofield, the opposite is true. And offensively, he can create too, with Ragan calling him a shifty “spark plug” who will rotate with Hazelwood and junior Maddux Carter for time at point guard.
Brady Calfee is the team’s “do-it-all guy,” in Ragan’s words, willing to dive on the floor for loose balls, while fellow senior Tucker Hembree could be a factor at shooting guard or small forward given his improved shooting
In the junior class, Will Sutton brings back a strong year of experience as a sophomore, filling multiple roles for the Big Red.
“We asked him to do an awful lot as a sophomore,”
448EasternPlaza , Newpor t, TN 37821
Hours: 10 am -5 :30pmMon-Friday 10am -2pmSaturday
said Ragan. “He had nights where he was fantastic and nights where he struggled. So his biggest challenge going into this year was to be consistent every day. When he does that, he’s capable of being one of the best on the floor, if not the conference.” Maddox Holt returns with an impressive size and makeup that will help in the paint, as well as an improve shooting stroke that can make him a threat on the wing.
Eli Roberts brings a strong work ethic and is “capable of scoring from anywhere” according to Ragan, while Carter offers a unique quickness that is valuable on both ends of the floor.
He will be part of a versatile defense this season, with Ragan noting that he and his staff — Craig Roberts, Darrell Lane and the new addition of Brett Kickliter — will likely tinker with
several different defensive options given their depth.
The same could be true offensively, as CCHS has several players who can play above the rim.
Those options will be vital for a team that will be missing one of its most explosive players, as senior Raeshon Palmer is out for the year with a torn ACL he suffered during football season.
But he will remain on the bench this season in a student-assistant role, helping CCHS in a different way this year.
The junior class continues with Jackson Williams and Waylon McGaha, who complement each other’s styles given their height.
Williams plays more on the inside, serving as a rim protector and a “bruiser” in Ragan’s words, while Waylon McGaha will look to put his strong work ethic to use more on the perimeter.
Finally, Devin Caldwell is what Ragan called a “rat on acid” in the way he flies around, while Spencer Moore Jr. is a “matchup nightmare” with his size, able to defend one through five.
In total, Ragan indeed has a bevy of options from which to choose.
“We talked on day one about our first five, and we told them the first day it’s wide open,” he said. “We’ll find out, but I think we could play 1 through 12 and not have a problem with it.“
And if that depth works in the way Ragan hopes, CCHS will make another push in region play.
“Hopefully we get there this year,” he said. “We talk about it, that whatever we do, it’s done to help us win basketball games.
“I’m excited for this year. I think we’ll fly around and have a lot of fun.”
PHoTo by JaKe nICHoLs
The 2024-25 Cocke County Fighting Cocks. Front row, left to right: donovan Campos, spencer moore, Kason stewart, oren Hazelwood, eli rober ts. second row:
Will sutton, raeshon Palmer, Logan bowlin, devin Caldwell, Jerome Cofield. Third row: ayden burke, maddux Carter, brady Calfee, Zach Williams, Tucker Hembree. Fourth row: ethan Fine, Waylon Fox, Parker Ford, maddox Holt, Kyler Hayes, Jackson Williams.
PHoTo by JaKe nICHoLs
Casey eagan leads Cocke County’s boys basketball program in his fifth season at the helm. CCHs last won a region tournament game in 2008, and ragan is looking to bring his team back to that point this season with a bevy of experienced players.
PHoTo by JaKe nICHoLs returning all-district selection Kyler Hayes will be a focal point for the CCHs on both ends this year, as his height, wingspan and vertical leap make him tough to defend.
oren Hazelwood will lead the Fighting Cocks as their senior point guard this season. He is
k nown for his steadiness and calm approach on the floor.
Lady Red ‘not satisfied’ after historic run last season
JAKE NICHOLS sports editor
NEWPORT
— Setting
a new level of expectation can be hard for any basketball program, especially with a first-year head coach.
But the season after that, those raised expectations create more pressure to perform.
Boddie Bible and his Cocke County Lady Red will encounter that plenty this season, coming off their first state tournament appearance since 1988 and first Final Four run since 1957.
The former assistant coach took the Lady Red to Mur freesboro by way of a program-best 29-9 record, including a 12-game win streak, as they stormed back to beat Heritage before losing to Dyersburg in the state semifinals.
Along the way, they notched plenty of program-altering wins, inc luding a transformative experience at the Andrew Johnson Bank Ladies’ Classic in Greeneville.
That run proved to Bible’s team that they could beat anyone they faced, pushing them toward a hardened confidence going into the back half of the year.
But Bible and assistants Rick Sinard and Katie Jo Knight have been quick to remind players that, with a schedule that includes multiple high-profile tournaments, CCHS will not be o verlooked at all this time. That will be relevant in a big district game like Northview, but it will also be top-of-mind against teams like Daniel Boone, Farragut and Oak Ridge.
“Last year, especially after Christmas, we knew we weren’t sneaking up on anybody, and that’s
especially true this year,” Bible said. “Anytime you play a program that was in Murfreesboro the previous year, you’re thinking that could be a big win for your program. We want to do our best to make sure that doesn’t happen. We’ll play as hard as we can every night.”
But as they work to achieve those goals this season, the Lady Red will be playing with heavy hearts after the loss of teammate Hayden Carter. The rising sophomore was set to contend for
the starting point guard spot this season after the departure of Maryville College freshman Halle Kitchen.
But Carter’s death on July 30 sent shockwaves through the community, as both basketball programs have grappled with her loss.
“S he’s always on their minds,” Bible said. “Her locker is the first one when you go in, and she’s a big part of us. Each day will be different in however we need to handle that, but we will certainly
keep her with us. And I’ll be there to support our girls.“
In their Big Red Madness entrance on Nov. 19, the L ady Red honored Carter by carrying out her jersey.
This winter, CCHS will look to utilize that closeness on the floor as much as they have grown together off it.
“They experienced something you don’t ever dream of experiencing, and they came together as a family,” Bible said. “They have really come together
through this, and they’ll play hard to make her proud.”
Part of that includes filling in the gap at point, where junior Javin Campbell will slide into the role this season.
“She’s our most improved player,” Bible said plainly. “She wants to be on the floor, and she can take care of the ball and get us into our offense.”
Bible communicated with Kitchen on every possession last year, and he said people can expect the
same with Campbell.
“Last year it felt like every other word I said was ‘Halle,’ and it will be the same with Javin this year,” he said. “I’ve coached her off and on since she’s been seven years old, so I know what makes her click.
“She’s the leader of our team when she’s running point. I look for her to really play well in that role.”
Speaking of roles, this year’s seniors include Abby
The 2024-25 Cocke County Lady red. First row from left to right: amelia ellison, abby n iethammer, Carsie ellison, Chloe n iethammer second row: Javin Campbell, Loretta Kickliter, blakelyn Clevenger, brookelyn Clevenger. Third row: Georgia Knight, shakyra reed, Karmine Carmichael, ellie Proffitt, ava Wheeler.
In his first season as head coach, boddie bible led the Cocke County Lady red to their first state tournament appearance since 1988. They are looking for another trip to mur freesboro this season but will face plenty of tough opponents on that journey.
Karmine Carmichael returns for CCHs after becoming the first freshman in school history to earn all-state honors. she was also the district 3-3a Player of the year, playing a heavy role in Cocke County’s state run.
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Cody ready to lead new-look Eagles in first season as head coach
JAKE NICHOLS
s ports e ditor
COSBY — In early November, Kurry Cody walked to the
He
mater.
“It’s kind of snuck up on me, because we’ve been in the weight room since August,” Cody said. “Now that we’re actually practicing, it feels more real.”
Aside from Cody’s presence on the floor in practice, one glance around the Cosby locker room will reveal that change as well.
There is a lot of newness: a brown leather love seat in the cor ner, blue lights on the wall, nameplates above each locker hook, and signs reflecting the Eagles’ new player-picked principles — togetherness, accountability, purpose — mounted on the wall next to the uniforms.
Beyond that, a whiteboard on the door reflects the number of days until the first game (one), and a small Tennessee-esque sign — I will give my ALL f or Cosby today! — hangs near the District 2-A Tournament championship plaque that was ear ned this past season. Nearby, a few team photos hang along the wall in the entryway, and there is a picture for each Cosby player who has gone on to play at the college level.
Cody ’s photo is the most recent, as he won a National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) DII national title at Johnson University in 2021 before returning to Cosby to coach and teach. The locker room ideas and playing experience have aided Cody in preparing for this moment, and so have his three years as an assistant coach — one under Cody Lowe with the girls program and the past two under f ormer coach Brian Stewart.
“But,” Cody admitted, “I never thought it would happen this early.”
Still, in gearing up for his first season, Cody knows what people expect from a program with nine state tournament appearances.
And he feels ready to deliver another one.
“What I’ve established so far is what I think this community would like to see,” he said. “People love basketball here, and I want to do everything I can to bring state
That’s the reason behind all this.”
That has been a clear message from his first day, with Cody and his assistants — Travis Sane, former Cosby great Eric Coggins and former standout Hayden Green — emphasizing a defense-centered message that hinges on pressure and strong transition play.
“I’m still preaching the same thing I preached this summer: improve halfcourt defense,” Cody said.
“To beat a good team, you have to man up and stop the guy in front of you and box out and finish with a rebound.”
He also noted he wants to pursue a full-court pressure look given the
way Cosby performed in that last season.
“The kids seem to understand it,” Cody said. “We’ve got a long way to go, but I definitely want to be a defensive-minded team. Then offensively I really want to get out in transition, shoot the three, and get as many transition buckets as we can.”
That offense will take another page out of Tennessee’s book, as Cody plans to r un the same kind of motion plays that Rick Barnes has run with the Vols.
“I was really bought in when he got hired,” said Cody, a longtime UT fan. “The year that Grant Williams, Jordan Bone, and Admiral Schofield
were all there, they ran a motion offense that was really good. I definitely took that out of his playbook.”
To make this click the way Cody wants, Cosby will need a bevy of different playmakers.
The y lost quite a bit in the past senior class, especially in the likes of sharpshooter Peyton Raines, big man Mack Holt and do-it-all guy Cyler Davis. But they also return plenty of experience, the driving force of which will be junior point guard Cruz Coggins. While he is now entering his third year as a star ter, Coggins burst onto the scene as a freshman after Green’s life-altering ATV injury. He grew into an All-Region selection that year, then bec ame the District 2-A Player of the Year as a sophomore. So with all of that already done, what does Coggins’ third year in the program look like?
“I think the next step for him is getting to the state tournament,” Cody said. “All-District last year, and I think All-Region is on the table this year too. But individual accomplishments aside, if you ask him, I think he wants to get to a state tournament.” Coggins has acted that way so far, filling more of a leadership role than he has the past two years. That style has been necessary since Cosby has only one senior — albeit a valuable one in the versatile Devonte Wigfall, who helped lead the Eagles’ football team to their first ever region title this season.
tour nament appearances back to Cosby basketball.
The 2024-25 Cosby eagles. Front row left to right: drake Woodson, draiden sneed, Cruz Coggins, d evonte Wigfall, Cody strange, easton Whitlock. second row:
Head coach Kurry Cody, Christian Walsh, Haiden mcmahan, Cooper davis, eli Gilliam, Cornelius Carr, ezra spurgeon, assistant Travis sane not pictured: assistant coach eric Coggins, statistician/assistant coach Hayden Green.
Kurry Cody enters his first year as head coach of the Cosby boys basketball team. Cody called the job “a dream come true” when he was hired, as he will be leading a program he played for from 2013 to 2017.
rising junior Christian Walsh will look to make an impact down low this year, having put on plenty of muscle this off-season to aid his 6-foot-4 frame.
see CODY, B7
Lady Eagles taking ‘hunger’ into 2024-25 season
JAKE NICHOLS
S ports Editor
COSBY — In his seven years leading the Cosby Lady Eagles, Cody Lowe has revitalized the program he took over in 2017.
Five straight district tournament titles, five region semifinal appearances, one sectional appearance and a 63-game district win streak have all been part of Lowe’s tenure.
The program also reached 19 wins or more in each of his first four seasons, the best one coming in 2019 — a 27-6 record overall, 14-0 in district play, and a mere five-point loss from just the fourth state tournament appearance in school history.
Lately, though, things have not looked quite as bright.
The district win streak skidded to a halt on Feb. 7, 2023, as up-and-coming Washburn defeated Cosby 53-52.
The Lady Pirates took down Cosby again for that year’s district title, then did the same thing this past year to start a streak of their very own — two straight district championships and three straight wins over the Lady Eagles.
No one around the Cosby program has forgotten that this off-season, especially not after an 11-19 record.
“That sticks in people’s craws, especially mine,” Lowe admitted.
“Not saying you take it for granted, but this has given us some hunger.
“Last year didn’t go how we wanted it to. Being here, we’ve got a tradition of excellence, and we’re ready to see the fruits of our labor.”
They are primed to do so with weapons of different ages, making this one of the most versatile and deep teams that Lowe has had at his disposal.
Six freshmen highlight an impressive young group, while five seniors and one junior provide upperclassmen leadership.
They gelled this summer during summer camps across East Tennessee, and now, they form a chemistry that has Lowe ready to hit the floor for the first game Nov. 21 against Cloudland.
“It would be easy for some of these older girls to come in and feel threatened by freshmen,” Lowe said. “But they’re ready to win and don’t care what it takes. It’s going to be really exciting, I think. Really fun.”
At the top of this revamped roster is senior sharpshooter Shylee Shelton, who came back to the team this summer after stepping away last December.
Before that, she was the youngest player in Cosby history to hit the 1,000point mark, doing so in the 2023 season as a sophomore.
Before continuing her career at Johnson University, Shelton has her eye set toward Cosby’s alltime scoring record, as well as the 2,000th point of her career.
But she is also intent on winning, a sentiment shared by fellow seniors Addy Woods, Chloe Hance, Alexis McGaha and Maddy Miller.
“You can really tell they want it,” said freshman Azariah Spurgeon. “It’s their senior year, and they feel like they need this because they’ve gotten robbed of it.”
To find those wins, Lowe and assistant Bethanie Williams will start by utilizing Shelton at her true position of small forward. In her previous stint,
Shelton played quite a bit at shooting guard, while also handling the ball some since Cosby did not have a true point guard. Now, though, the Lady Eagles will see freshmen Matisse Bible and Spurgeon take over ball-handling duties. That will allow Shelton to branch out more, as she did on the camp circuit this summer.
“They will really help spell her in the backcourt,” said Lowe. “(Shelton) is a true small forward. She can shoot and rebound, and now we’ve got guards who know how to find her. It’s really encouraging.”
Bible, who joined Cosby out of Newport Grammar, can dish out passes and finish strong on each side with each hand.
Spurgeon, meanwhile,
comes to Cosby after averaging 23 points per game for Smoky Mountain Elementary last year.
Despite wearing cochlear implants, she has quickly established herself as a hard-nosed defender whose ability to press will make her an essential part of this team.
“I’ve never coached a kid like her,” said Lowe. “The most comparable is Leia Groat. She was probably the best defender I’ve ever coached, and Azariah has a lot of that in her.
“She’s a ballhawk and a pest on the floor.
“That’s what we’ve been lacking,” he said. “We have not had somebody to get deflections and turn people over, and that’s the way I like to play.
“In high school we don’t get to recruit, but if I were a college coach, I would find athletic, quick guards and would play extremely fast and press. We’ll get back to more of that this year. That’s the way I like to coach.”
This year, that style will include several defensive options, plenty of pressure, and a quick pace on both ends — similar to what Lady Vols Kim Caldwell has begun to implement at Tennessee. To do that successfully, Cosby will need the kind of athleticism offered by seniors Woods and Hance, who have brought their leadership to the hardwood after starring on the soccer pitch in the fall. McGaha will provide depth at shooting guard, as she continues to work her way back from an ACL tear in the spring of her junior year.
And Miller will likely be a corner threat once more this season, as she stepped up in the paint and on the perimeter after Shelton’s departure last season.
People talk about how well she can score, but she gets a lot of those because of what she does defensively.” Indeed, Spurgeon went coast-to-coast several times this summer, showcasing exactly the kind of damage she can do — and exactly the kind of basketball Lowe wants to play if he has his druthers in game-planning.
The 2024-25 Cosby Lady Eagles. Front row left to right: Sophia Summerlin, Azariah Spurgeon, Alexis McGaha, Addy Woods, Matisse Bible, Kinnlea Norwood. Back row left to right: Head coach Cody Lowe, Katey Moore, Zayli Spencer, Allie O ttinger, Maddy Miller, Chloe Hance, Shylee Shelton.
Cosby girls basketball coach Cody Lowe and his Lady Eagles are hungry for more this season, having dropped the last two district championships to Washburn after winning ve straight titles in Lowe’s tenure.
Cosby’s M addy M iller lled in for Shelton last season after her departure, and M iller will be essential again this season for a Lady Eagle team that relied on her perimeter scoring and paint presence last year.
See COSBY, B7
Niethammer, Carsie Ellison and Shakyra Reed.
Niethammer served as a consistent sixth person last year, coming off the bench in crucial moments as a shooting guard and small forward.
“She played a big role for us last year and had an unbelievable state tournament,” said Bible. “She plays hard, and we look for her for senior leadership. She played a lot of minutes in a lot of games, and man, she competes.”
Fellow senior Carsie Ellison has battled back from a couple of injuries, but Bible noted that she will look to lead the team in multiple ways as an upperclassman.
Rounding out the senior class, Shakyra Reed battled through the loss of her mother last season while establishing herself as a tough presence for CCHS on both ends of the floor.
She has typically occupied the power forward spot, but she may slide over to small forward some this year due to depth issues.
Regardless of where she plays, though, Bible was emphatic about her impact.
“She’s the hardest-playing kid I’ve ever been around,” he said. “She’s our spark plug. Every day at practice I tell her that she could lead these girls. They feed off her energy.
“She might be the best on-ball defender in the state. I’d hate for her to guard me. She’ll always guard the other team’s best player and make life hard on them.”
In the junior class, shooting guard Blakelyn Clevenger brings back the most experience.
“She was one of our top contributors last year, and I look for her to be one of our leaders,” said Bible. “She doesn’t panic in tight situations, and we’ll be playing a really young lineup at times. So she’ll have to be there to do that for them.”
Clevenger’s twin sister, Brookelyn Clevenger, has also returned to the team this year, and she will be extremely versatile.
“She can play pretty much 1-4,” Bible said. “She’s an all-around really good player, really good offensively. We look forward to her production.”
In the sophomore class, Karmine Carmichael and Ellie Proffitt will complement each other in the post this season.
Carmichael had a monster freshman season, becoming the youngest player in school history to earn All-State recognition.
She is also the reigning District 2-3A Player of the Year, as she helped lead CCHS to history after scoring 90 points in her first four games.
Knowing her output and the way teams responded once they caught on, Bible
expects Carmichael to have gritty encounters in the post again this season.
“Teams will really make it hard on her this year,” he said. “They will be as physical as they can, and she will have to be the first person down the floor every possession. If she does that, they will never be able to guard her.
“So we’ll be trying to get her a chance to score in transition, and in the halfcourt, she can catch the ball face-up. She’s also an unbelievable defender, which is how she creates a lot of her points. We’re
expecting another big year out of her.”
Proffitt saw more playing time as the year went on last season, and she is primed to take a larger step this year.
“She has improved tremendously since we have started,” Bible said. “She works hard and is very coachable, and she’s the strongest kid we’ve got on the team.
“A great rebounder too, and as much attention as Karmine will draw, Ellie can pick up a lot of points around the basket. She will see a lot of playing
time this year.”
He noted that Proffitt brings a bit more height as compared to Carmichael or Reed, and that she is learning to become more physical.
Another possible post contributor will be Chloe Niethammer, the youngest sister of Abby Niethammer and former CCHS standout Paige Niethammer.
“We have three returning post players, so we’re looking for another to fill some minutes,” Bible said.
“She scores the ball with both hands and reminds
me a lot of Paige when she was a freshman, who was obviously a great player for us. And Chloe has the same skill set.”
Fellow freshman Georgia Knight is coming off an injury as an eighthgrader, but she can knock down mid-range shots in way that most post players cannot typically do.
Bible also noted the work ethic of Amelia Ellison and Loretta Kickliter, and he said that Ava Wheeler could vie for plenty of time too as a member of a strong class.
“She does every drill the
right way,” he said, “and she could push to start on this team. She’s a great shooter, a great competitor. She’s got a chance to really make an immediate impact. We’re looking for a lot of production out of her.”
Overall, Bible is also looking for a lot of production out of his team, namely because of raising the bar last year.
“Our girls are winners,” he summarized.”They’re not satisfied. The last thing we ever want to do is settle, and they aren’t satisfied with last year.“
All-District pick Blakelyn Clevenger comes back as a junior sharpshooter for CCHS, as she provided several key buckets last season.
Shakyra Reed brings her gritty style to the Lady Red for one more season, having become one of the better defenders in the area.
“She’s one of the best shooters we’ve got on the team, and she had some big games last year when we needed them,” said Lowe.
Speaking of offense, Ottinger will be vital down low again this season, as the junior can use her length to her advantage.
“If you could mold a perfect basketball player, that’s who you would build,” he said. “Long and lanky, she can run like a deer. Good defender and rebounder.
“But I would love to see her take the next step on the offensive end. If she can find that next year,
she can take off.” Then aside from Bible and Spurgeon, four other freshmen round out the Lady Eagles’ newest class.
Zayli Spencer poses a strong presence inside, as Lowe said that she can “very well win the job at the 5 spot.”
“In my opinion she’s in our top 6, 7 or 8 right there,” he said. “She’s an excellent rebounder, and if she can get to where she can finish around the basket, it will be hard to keep her off the floor.”
He offered similar thoughts on Sophia Summerlin — “probably the biggest sleeper,” per Lowe — and added that Katey Moore’s shooting and Kinnlea Norwood’s drive
have impressed thus far. In short, Lowe knows things have not gone the way he would have liked the past couple of years — especially considering the high expectations his players have helped to create.
But with the combination of hunger and chemistry he has seen out of this team, expectations are back where they belong.
And at some point, he wants to turn those expectations into even more.
“We want expectations to be high, and we want to make it back to the state tournament,” he said. “I’m not saying that will be this year, but that’s our goal every year. Anything shy is a disappointment.”
“I remember watching Devonte at the elementary tournament when he was at Bridgeport,” said Cody. “I think I was still in college, but I remember thinking, ‘Wherever this kid goes, he will be really special.’
“And he has turned out to be exactly what I thought he would be: a special talent, a special athlete, and he has really matured and grown in his communication.”
Cooper Davis will provide another weapon out of the junior class, as Cody called him a “mismatch problem” since he can post up, shoot from the outside or blow by defenders when necessary.
Christian Walsh will be getting his first full year of varsity minutes as a junior, but at 6-foot-4, he provides a unique and dangerous presence given his size and the muscle he has added this off-season.
Cody Strange rounds out the junior class, with Cody noting his midrange ability and maturity.
Haiden McMahan leads the sophomore class, having established himself as an explosive player who can score at all three levels.
Cody did note that McMahan needs to improve defensively, but that he is excited to see how he develops.
Cornelius Carr brings a similar athleticism as Wigfall, which is fitting since they are brothers. He also boasts a
“tremendous basketball I.Q.,” Cody said, and has rebounded well in the preseason.
Eli Gilliam, Jayden Holt, Brody Stooksbury and Colton Jenkins finish off the sophomore class for the Eagles. The team also features plenty of freshmen, two of whom will factor in immediately at the varsity level.
Ezra Spurgeon poses another presence in the paint and on the perimeter, having used his size for Smoky Mountain Elementary last year.
Draiden Sneed, a Parrottsville product, will be another weapon given
his strong shooting and his understanding of the game.
The Eagles start their season on Thursday, Nov. 21, as they will host Cloudland for Cody’s debut as head coach.
And that night, when Cody steps foot on the Cosby bench for his debut, he said he expects the feeling to sink in even more.
“It will be surreal,” he said. “Playing here, it was always a pleasant experience walking onto that floor to play.
“Now that I’m the coach, I’m sure it will be a different feeling. I’m not exactly
sure what it will feel like, but it will be emotional for sure.”
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Cosby will be led by senior Shylee Shelton, who rejoined the team this o -season after stepping away last December. She scored 1,000 points as a sophomore and could break Cosby’s all-time scoring record this season.
Reigning District 2-A Player of the Year Cruz Coggins will lead the Eagles as a third-year starter at point guard. He brings plenty of experience but has also worked on his leadership coming into his junior season.
Sophomore Haiden McMahan o ers three-level scoring for the Eagles, as he came onto the scene as a freshman and turned heads in a hurry.
Cody From B4
Devonte Wigfall is the sole senior for the Eagles, as he brings the same leadership and athleticism that helped Cosby win its rst ever region title in football in the fall.
Cosby basketball summer
Cosby coach Cody Lowe instructs his team during a summer scrimmage prior to the 2024-25 high school basketball season.
Cosby’s Addy Woods drives into the lane during a summer scrimmage at Bearden High School.
Cosby’s Sophia Summerlin pushes the ball down the oor during a scrimmage at Bearden High School.
Cosby’s Devonte Wigfall watches his shot during a summer scrimmage at Northview Academy.
Cosby point guard Azariah Spurgeon looks to pass during a scrimmage at Bearden High School.
Cosby point guard Cruz Coggins makes a move on a defender during a scrimmage at Northview Academy.
Cosby coach Kurry Cody points to deliver instruction during a summer scrimmage at Northview Academy.
Cosby’s Haiden McMahan gets set on defense during a scrimmage at Anderson County.
CCHS summer basketball photos
Cocke
Cocke County’s Blake Clevenger pushes the ball down the oor at Webb School of Knoxville.
Cocke County’s Ellie Pro tt goes up for a shot against a defender at Webb School of Knoxville during the summer.
Cocke County guard S hakyra R eed looks to
at
S chool of Knoxville.
Cocke County’s Waylon M cGaha goes up for a shot during a scrimmage at Northview Academy.
Cocke County boys basketball coach Casey Ragan instructs his team during a timeout in a scrimmage at Northview.
Cocke County’s Tucker Hembree puts up a oater against a defender at Northview Academy this summer.
Cocke County defenders guard the ball during a scrimmage at Webb School of Knoxville.
The 2024-25 Smoky Mountain Elementary Bears. Back row (left to right): Nate Webb, Cayson Hall, Braxton Worley, Huell Baker, Sammuel Crampton, Gabriel Tincher. Front row (left to right): Jayden Seymour, Justice Brooks, Titus Spurgeon, Levi Webb, Bryan Worley.
The 2024-25 Smoky M ountain Lady B ears. Left to right: A aliyah Baker, Jovie B easley, M ycelia Baker, Haven Ramsey, Delilah Depaola. Not pictured: Tynleigh Fine.
Front row left to right: Olivia Shaver, Jaylyn S outherland, Emma M orse, Tegan R ea, Alyciana Thompson. Back row: Emma Calfee, Allie R ymer, Kaydence Penton, Josie Shaver, Haidyn Penton, Tenley Blazer.
The 2024-25 Centerview Falcons. From left to right: Ian Bible, Joseph Perry, Braxtyn Sams, Colton Hurst, Mason Watkins, Nolan Bible. Back row: Zander Pro tt, Chase Harris, Ben Lewis, Ethan Helton, Peyton Phillips, Shane Patterson, Owen Turner.
The 2024-25 Parrottsville Parrotts. Back row left to right: Jamison Tate, Braelyn Talley, Tristan Brown, Gavin Hartsell, John Dillion R amsey, Hudson Hall. Front: Jase Williams, Jude R amsey, Daxtin Sneed, Braelyn Bowlin, Abe Kickliter.
The 2024-25 Parrottsville Lady Parrotts. Back row left to right: Molly Kate Peters, Kailynn Ward, Addison Norman, Kinsley Nease, Ella Grace Roberts. Front row: Emma Layman, Emery Presnell, Canyon Ward, Ella Beth Kickliter.
The 2024-25 Grassy Fork Lady R avens. Back row left to right: Mylee Messer, Emma Harman, Ripley Groat, Stella Raines, Kathrine M artinez. Back row: Kenzie Ledford, Paislee Clark, B ella Stanton, Audrie Clifton.
The 2024-25 Grassy Fork R avens. Back row left to right: Hudson Clark, Benjamin Laws, R iley Leatherwood, Xavier Koutsos. M iddle row: Kooper S helton, Jackson Young,Tyson Co eld, Waylon Mcgaha, Issac Jenkins, Chris Gore Sterlin Clark, Harrison McGaha. Front row: Kammdyn Buckner, Tucker Faison, and Corbin Hance.
The 2024-25
del r io Trojans. back row from left to right: bentley Jones, abram Woody, Levi Turner. s econd row: r ylan Tanner, Caiden r amsey, Henry Freeman, Leland d ockery, dillan Haney. Front row: coach danny shelton, andrew Ireland, eljah mcGraw, Jorell sawyer.
The 2024-25 del r io Lady Trojans. back row from left to right: scarlett mullins, Karigen ellison, ella Woody, Jacey Jones. Front row: assistant coach april bullington, abby douglas, elizabeth Cooper, skylar mullins, aubree Fine and coach brooke Fox. not pictured: sophie Collins
The 2024-25 bridgeport rockets. Front row left to right: r yder m iller, Colton Holt, Logan mantooth, marcus Paulette, skylar ricks, nolan Gray. back row: eli smith, Jordan ball, Jace Johnson, Caden Hall, Isaac Hill.
The 2024-25 bridgeport Lady rockets. Front row left to right: m adison Gee, maddy Gray, Taylor donley, Carleigh Posey, mia mcCarter. back row: Jesslyn ashby, Hazel Williams, Lexie Webber, Kennidi blankenship, savannah ball, Zoe sexton.
Front row L to r: Cam brannon, Kaiden Farley, Hank Williams, Zaidon buckner, Caden Gray, Kaden yarbrough. back row: Zion Guthrie, r ylee Gilliam, malakhai blanton, noah saul, brantley spann, Kade norris. Head coach Casey Gilliam, assistant Jeremy norris.
The 2024-25 Cosby elementary Lady eagles. Front row left to right: Krisily shepherd, belinda Gonzalez, Kobi stewart, mcKynlee Williams. back row: samantha anders, Jazz Grooms, Payton southerland, Piper Whaley, Walela Lambert, Zoey Grooms, Lorelei dennis, Haddlee Williams.
The 2024-25 northwest Lady Patriots. Front row left to right: Jonazi Hall, June Lloyd, natalee bolin. back row: Ta’shawna r ay, Kya Williford, m ia Hernandez, mcKinley bolin, Karma massaros and head coach Trent mathis.
The 2024-25 northwest Patriots. Front row left to right: Jae’sean stewart, TJ r ay, Colt mcafee, Tyden spears. m iddle: Kayden m ahoney, m ason bolin, elijah Jarvis. back: d e’m arcus stewart, Jace summerville, Corbyn Pate, Christian styles. not pictured: damian Widdowfield.
The 2024-25 edgemont Lady Panthers. First row left to right: Gracie ramsey, mary dunn, Carson reed, mia martinez. back row left to right: arianna Herrera, stevie Thomas, essence biggs, Chloe Walker, Kennadie meyers, Gabby brown, Kalixx stewart, mia Gordan. not pictured: abby o wens.
The 2024-25 edgemont Panthers. Front row left to right: Quinlen r amsey, simeon Chambers, Jasper biggs, Josiah Cofield, Tyson Lackey, a ndrew Williams, aymen Williams. back row: Zae Gudger, Harlan bennett, Jackson moss, dakota Fine, austin Williams, Carter smith, silas Chambers, Jaxson naillon, easton robinson.
The 2024-25 newport Grammar Warriors. Front row left to right: Ty Lewis, spencer reed, Jeremiah Hall, eli sisk, r obie Fish. back row: r ylan Thornton, Kolby Fine, r ylan Parton, Colton oury, Cam Lewis, brody Holloway.
The 2024-25 newport Grammar Lady Warriors. Front row left to right: mcKenna Webb, Harper Graham, Cambree Clevenger back row: Carlie Chiasson, b ella burke, Izzy Tomlinson, Jaylee Lane, brooke broyles, bentleigh morris.
Shelton sees work pay off with Johnson signing
COSBY — At 4:28 p.m. Monday, Cosby senior Shylee Shelton gave a small smile and leaned in to hug her father, Brian.
10 minutes later, as she signed her National Letter of Intent with Johnson University, her mother Trish offered four words: “Hard work pays off.”
Indeed it does for Shelton, who has been committed to Johnson since October after being offered when she was just a sophomore.
That year, she became the youngest player in Cosby history to score 1,000 career points.
She has her eyes set on more production as a senior, as she is 246 points away from breaking the alltime scoring record held by Becky Flatford.
That should come in due time, as will the wins Shelton and her teammates want to see this season.
On Tuesday, though, she was focused on the completion of a dream she has worked for since her days of winning championships at Grassy Fork Elementary.
“It feels amazing,” she said. “It’s something I’ve always wanted, and now that I’ve got it, I’m just going to work harder and become better.”
“I’m happy for her but not surprised,” added Lady Eagles coach Cody Lowe, who has now seen four of his players move on to play in college. “Terrific player and a terrific work ethic. She’s going to a great program. I’ve known Coach (Bryon) Lawhon for a long time, and she will learn a lot of basketball there. I think she’s got a chance to be part of something special.”
Her recruitment with Johnson technically began her sophomore year, but Shelton made a crucial connection as an eighth-grader when she began playing travel basketball under Tennessee Trotters coach Richard Heifner.
And when Heifner was added to the Johnson staff as an assistant, he maintained the connection that led to Lawhon’s offer.
With Shelton’s skillset, Lawhon said she should be a perfect fit in their system.
“The way we play, we play a fast pace and are averaging almost 90 points per game right now,” he said. “To play at that pace, every one of our players can handle, can shoot, can pass, and she fits that mold.
“She’s a long wing, can handle the ball, and can score in bunches. Defensively, her length and the way we play our man-to-man defense, it’s more of a team concept and her length will help her there too.”
Conversely, Shelton also likes what she has seen of the Royals’ program, which is at the NAIA level.
“I like the way they teach the game, and they play really fast and hard,” she said. “And they always put God first, and I love that.”
To that end, Lawhon spoke to Shelton’s character, which has been reinforced in her return to Cosby.
But when she walked away from the Lady Eagles last December, that did throw her recruitment into a bit of a flux.
“Obviously it was a huge deal,”
Ray Proffitt
much.”
JAKE
NICHOLS Sports Editor
n the 1960s, Mike Prof-
Ifitt suited up for the Cocke County football program, just as his three brothers did.
But what you may not know is that they come from athletic lineage in their father, Ray Proffitt.
The elder Proffitt and his future brother-in-law, B.H. Teague, were two of the survivors in the Cocke County football truck wreck that occurred on the way to Pennington Gap, Virginia, in 1934.
Two people died as a result — James Susong of head injuries and Jakie Holt four days later, having “never regained consciousness,” according to the remembrance pamphlet Proffitt gave me.
“A lot of people that were with them, or the ones that hadn’t passed away, would come here and sit and talk at the house,” Proffitt said. “But they never did talk much about the wreck
After surviving the wreck, Ray Proffitt went on to find success later in life.
And oddly enough, that success began by trimming trees near his house in Newport.
That was how then-Clemson
coach Jess Neely — a Vanderbilt halfback and future AD who went on to coach football and baseball at multiple schools — and his assistants found Proffitt in the mid-1930s.
Proffitt, like many athletes, used the help of Dr. Hobart Ford in his journey to college football.
“He knew coaches from everywhere,” Mike Proffitt said of Ford. “He was very well-known.”
That day, Ford directed Neely and his staff to Proffitt, and their recruitment worked.
So in the fall of 1937, Ray Proffitt left his girlfriend, Cordelia Teague, and went to South
Elementary hoops update for Monday, Nov. 18
JAKE NICHOLS Sports Editor
On Monday night, elementary basketball teams across the county took the floor to begin the fifth week of action in the 2024-25 slate.
Here is how everything went down, starting with Parrottsville’s matchups against Cosby.
Lawhon said. “There were conversations had. But when (Lowe) took her back, it was like, ‘Okay, it’s water under the bridge for us as well.’ I’ve known him a long time, and if it was enough for her to come in and apologize and he said she was good, it was good enough for me.
“She’s a kid and made a mistake, and she redeemed herself. I think that says a lot about somebody’s character, when they make a mistake and they come back and own that. For me, we talk about our kids’ accountability, and that characteristic will fit with me very well.”
So will Shelton’s toughness, which he said is a calling card of every player he has recruited from Cocke County.
That includes former CCHS standout Camryn Halcomb — currently a guard with the Royals — as well as players like Jordan Self, who went to Cosby and played under Lawhon at Bryan College.
“You get kids from this area, you know they’re tough,” Lawhon said. “They have been coached and can take coaching. You’re not going to rattle those kids. They come in and they want to work. They don’t expect anything to be given to them, and they’re just lunch pail kids.”
For Shelton, that mindset has been honed on and off the court, as she is one of six kids.
She has also developed the approach through travel ball, as she and her parents went across the
The schools split the matchups, as the Lady Eagles took the girls game 37-26.
Piper Whaley led the way with 14 points, followed by nine points for Kobi Stewart, eight points for Haddlee Williams and three points apiece for Payton Southerland and Zoey Grooms.
Ella Beth Kickliter led Parrottsville with 18 points, while Addison Norman put up eight points of her own.
Parrottsville won the boys game 40-21, fueled by 14 points from John Dillon Ramsey. Tristan Brown added nine points, Abe Kickliter scored seven, and Braelyn Talley and Braylin Bowlin had five points apiece.
Cam Brannon led Cosby with six points, Noah Saul scored five, and Malakhai Blanton put up four.
Rylee Gilliam, Zion Guthrie and Kade Norris had two points each.
In the Northwest-Edgemont contests, the Panthers came away with two wins.
The Panthers edged the Lady Patriots 45-41, led by 21 points from Dakota Fine and 13 points from Tyson Lackey.
Austin Williams scored six points, Jasper Biggs had four, and Silas Chambers scored one point.
For Northwest, Corbyn
Pate scored 20 points, De’Marcus Stewart added 14, and Kayden Mahoney and Jace Summerville scored five and two points, respectively.
In the girls matchup, Edgemont won 43-6. Kailixx Stewart scored 19 points, Chloe Walker added 12, and Essence Biggs, Kennadie Myers and Gabby Brown scored six, four and two points, respectively.
TaShawna Ray scored four points for the Lady Patriots, and Mia Hernandez added two points.
In the games between Centerview and Grassy Fork, the Ravens claimed two wins.
The Lady Ravens beat the Lady Falcons 50-29 behind 16 points from Ripley Groat and 11 from Stella Raines. Paislee Clark had nine points, Bella Stanton scored eight and Emma Harmon accounted for six.
Josie Shaver led Centerview with 15 points, and Olivia Shaver and Allie Rymer scored five and four, respectively. Kaydence Penton scored three points, and Emma Calfee had two.
On the boys side, Grassy won 45-26. Tyson Cofield scored 15 points, Waylon McGaha added 11, Tucker Faison had 10, and Jackson Young scored seven with Sterlin Clark adding two. Ben Lewis scored 16 points for Centerview, Ethan Helton added eight points and Zander Proffitt scored two points. Finally, in the Bridgeport-Smoky matchups, the Rockets won both games. The Lady Rockets won 40–16 behind 14 points
Ray Pro tt, center, is the father of Mike Pro tt and his four siblings. He and his journey through college football are the subject of this week’s “Pro tt’s Pondering.”
Cosby senior Shylee Shelton smiles for a photo alongside her parents, Brian and Trish Shelton, after signing to continue her basketball career with Johnson University on Monday, Nov. 18, 2024. Behind Shelton and her parents are Cosby Athletic Director Levi Cooper, Johnson girls basketball coach Bryon Lawhon and Cosby girls basketball coach Cody Lowe.
Carolina to play defensive end under Neely. At the time, the Tigers donned the same leather helmets as everyone else, and — if pictures serve correctly — they wore brown pants and purple jerseys with orange numbers. It was not exactly the comfortable, sleek Nike gear shown today, and there was no giant Tiger paw on the side of the headgear, either.
Still, if Proffitt had stayed, perhaps he would have played alongside one of the best Clemson players to ever don the uniform: Banks McFadden.
He was the Tigers’ version of Johnny Majors, playing tailback, quarterback and providing punts and interceptions.
He was also a top scorer for their basketball team — but Proffitt was not there long enough to find out.
“When he went to Clemson, some boys put their girlfriends’ pictures on the wall and asked him to choose which was the prettiest,” said Mike a Proffitt with a chuckle. “He said, ‘Neither one of them are too good-looking.’”
Of course, that comment started a fight between Proffitt and his new teammates.
What the Clemson players didn’t know, however, was that Ray Proffitt was not just a skilled football player.
He was also an experienced boxer.
“And I believe they probably wished they hadn’t started that,” said Mike Proffitt. “They didn’t do enough research on him.”
Proffitt won the fight, but he realized this was not a place he wanted to be.
He transferred to Tennessee Wesleyan in Athens, Tennessee.
There, the Bulldogs went 5-3 overall in 1938.
After he left school, Proffitt went to work at the aluminum company in Alcoa.
Eventually he came back to Newport, and he went on to have five kids with his wife, Cordelia Teague Proffitt.
And he raised his family in a house within a mile of where he grew up.
“It’s kind of ironic,” said Mike Proffitt, “for them to be that close to each other.”
Lady Vols, NC State to open 2025-26 in Greensboro
UTSports.com
GREENSBORO, N.C.
— The Gazelle Group is pleased to announce that women’s college basketball is coming to the First Horizon Coliseum in Greensboro, North Carolina, next season, as the NC State Wolfpack and the Tennessee Lady Volunteers will tip off the season on Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025.
“We are excited to bring this marquee matchup to Greensboro and look forward to adding this to the city’s college basketball inventory”, said Rick Giles, President of Gazelle Group.
“We are excited to partner with Gazelle Group to bring another marquee college basketball game to First Horizon Coliseum,” said First Horizon Coliseum General Manager Scott Johnson. “As the host of 24 ACC women’s basketball tournaments and six NCAA women’s basketball regionals, Greensboro has a long history of supporting
Shelton From B12
Southeast with the Trotters.
women’s college basketball and we look forward to having a packed house next season for this terrific ACC-SEC clash.”
TENNESSEE LADY VOLUNTEERS
Tennessee, the winningest program in women’s basketball history and the only school to appear in every NCAA Tournament, is led by first-year head coach Kim Caldwell. She has the Lady Vols off to a 2-0 start in 2024-25 with a high tempo attack on both ends of the floor. That exciting brand of basketball has enabled Caldwell to forge a 219-31 career record (87.6 pct.) in her ninth season as a head coach, and her teams have earned eight NCAA Tournament bids, appeared in two NCAA DII Final Fours, won a 2022 NCAA DII national title, claimed seven conference championships and captured five conference tournament trophies.
“We’ve been everywhere,” said her dad, Brian Shelton. “We gave her every opportunity and she took it. Gave up more birthday parties, sleepovers, nights away — that stuff didn’t exist in her life because she was in the gym.
“And she had extreme coaching and extreme players she was doing against too. At that point you have to put up or shut up.”
Everywhere she went, everywhere she has played, Shelton has been driven by her desire to be the best.
So through hurdles big and small, she arrived at the Cosby library Monday amidst a crowd
Update From B12
from Alexis Webber, six from Jesslyn Ashby, four each from Maddy Gray, Taylor Donley and Carleigh Posey, and two apiece from Zoe Sexton, Mia McCarter, Savannah Bell and Kennedi Blankenship.
Haven Ramsey had 12 points for the Lady Bears, followed by four for Mycelia Baker.
In the boys game, the Rockets won 65-24 behind a widespread effort. Logan
CockeCountyBoardof Educ ation hasopenings forthreefull-timeschoolbusdriversand isacceptingapplications
Qualifications: Applicantsmusthave ahighschooldiplomaorGED pass abackgroundcheck,haveacleanmotor vehicle repor t, andbe able to pass aDOT drugandalcohol test Candidatesforemploymentwillbe required to have orobtain a commercialdriver’s licenseclass Aorclass Bwith AirBrake,P,and S, endorsements,pass aDOT physical,pass aDOT substancescreening, andpass aTennessee State School BusDriver Certification. Youmay contactthe Transportation Departmentfor applicationsandinformation.
Chris Norton Transportation Department 255 Bailey Street Newpor t, TN37821 423-623-2757 transportation@cocke.k12.tn.us
NC STATE WOLFPACK
NC State women’s basketball is led by head coach Wes Moore who is currently in his 12th season at the helm. He has led his team to seven straight NCAA appearances, highlighted by the team’s Final Four last season, as well as five Sweet 16 appearances and two Elite Eight berths. Coach Moore has guided the Pack to three ACC Championships, including the 2020 ACC Tournament Championship, which was the first for the program in 29 years. NC State continues to rebuild and reload, bringing in a top 10 recruiting class for the second straight season. The Pack is currently ranked No. 13 in the AP poll.
More events details to come. For the most up to date information, follow Gazelle Group on X @ Gazelle_Events.
ABOUT GAZELLE GROUP
The Gazelle Group is a sports marketing firm, specializing in event
of her siblings, teammates and family friends.
With jerseys from each of Shelton’s teams around her and a picture of Heifner in the corner since he could not be there, Shelton signed her name for her next chapter.
Then she hugged her parents one more time, reinforcing her appreciation for their part in her journey.
“I’m tickled for her future and to get to see her play college basketball, because that is a dream,” said Brian Shelton. “And she has taken God’s will and talent to get her where she is. I’m going to put that moment in my back pocket and keep it for the rest of my life.”
Mantooth had 16 points, Jayce Johnson scored 10, and Skylar Ricks, Jordan Ball, Ryder Miller and Caden Hall scored six apiece.
Marcus Paulette had five points, followed by Isaac Hill and Colton Holt with four. Eli Smith had two points.
production and management, client representation, and sponsorship consulting. Gazelle produces numerous nationally recognized college sports events, such as the Empire Classic, Legends Classic, Gotham Classic, Sunshine Slam, College Basketball Invitational, Kwik Trip Holiday Face-Off, Deacon-Wolverine Challenge, Boardwalk Battle, Jersey Jam, and Holiday Hoopfest as well as on-campus events at Duke, Kentucky, Ohio State, Marquette and other institutions across the country. For more information on the Gazelle Group, please visit gazellegroup.com.
ABOUT
FIRST HORIZON COLISEUM
First Horizon Coliseum (formerly Greensboro Coliseum), the iconic 22,000seat arena at the heart of the Greensboro Complex, has a long history of hosting prestigious sporting events and providing world-class live entertainment. In addition to
hosting NCAA Men’s and Women’s Basketball Tournaments more than 20 times, including the Men’s Final Four in 1974, First Horizon Coliseum has hosted the ACC Men’s and Women’s Basketball Tournaments a collective 53 times, the most of any venue for both tournaments. For more information: FirstHorizonColiseum.com.
About Visit Greensboro
The Greensboro Area Convention and Visitors Bureau is an independent, non-profit governmental authority whose mission is to aggressively market Greensboro’s assets, maximizing economic impact while providing excellent visitor service.
Travel and tourism generated nearly $1.7 billion in Guilford County in 2023, employing more than 11,000 in travel-related jobs, according to “The Economic Impact of Travel on North Carolina Counties” study prepared for Visit North Carolina by Tourism Economics.
For Smoky, Brian Worley and Titus Spurgeon had 10 points apiece. Jayden Seymour had three, and Levi Webb scored one.
On Thursday, Bridgeport will visit Grassy Fork, Edgemont will play at Parrottsville, and Northwest will play at Cosby in a day game.
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• Container Ser11iceA11ailallle!
Shylee Shelton signed with Johnson University on Monday, cementing a process that began her sophomore year of high school when Johnson extended an o er.
