Mavericks head into district tournament with momentum

February 19, 2025 by Ken Lay

The 2024-25 regular season ended on a high note for Anderson County High School last week as the Mavericks notched three wins, and now head into the District 4-AAA tournament with momentum.

Anderson County (18-9, 9-1 District 4-AAA), which shared the regular-season district title with crosstown rival Clinton, will be the No. 2 seed in the tournament, set to take place at Union County High School in Maynardville.

The Mavericks have won the tournament in back-to-back seasons, defeating the Dragons in both championship games.

Both Anderson County and Clinton have already secured berths in the Region 2-AAA tournament, and will receive first-round byes in the district tournament.

The Mavericks clinched a share of the regular-season district championship with an 82-61 victory at Cumberland Gap on Tuesday, Feb. 11.

Anderson County and Cumberland Gap were tied at 15 after the first quarter, but the Mavericks took control with an 18-5 second-quarter run, building a 33-20 halftime lead. They never trailed again.

Brandon Dake posted a double-double, scoring 25 points and grabbing 11 rebounds to lead a balanced offensive effort. Cam Lawson added 14 points, four assists and three steals.

Ethan Nelson, Hayden Craig and Trent Strickland each finished with 13 points. Nelson also tallied five rebounds, four assists and two steals. Craig contributed five steals, while Strickland recorded six rebounds, two assists and a steal.

Anderson County followed up with a 77-64 home victory over South-Doyle on Thursday night. The Mavericks trailed 32-28 at halftime but used a strong second half to secure the win.

Dake led the way with 30 points. Craig notched a double-double with 17 points and 10 rebounds. Nelson finished with 12 points, while Lawson had nine points, four rebounds and two assists. Strickland chipped in seven points and five assists.

The Mavericks capped their regular season Friday with an 85-63 win over Northview Academy on Senior Night, honoring their seven seniors before the game.

The senior class includes Strickland, Dake (the program’s all-time leading scorer), Craig, Nelson, Dylan Hopper, Judson Ayers and Gavin Higgs. They will look to lead Anderson County to a third-consecutive district title.

“It’s a great class of guys,” third-year Coach Jordan Jeffers said. “There’s seven of them, and they’re such good people. They’re good players, but they’re even better people.”

Dake scored 24 points and grabbed five rebounds as the Mavericks overcame a 21-20 deficit to avenge an earlier loss to Northview Academy.

Nelson added 18 points, Craig had 14, and Strickland finished with five points and 11 rebounds.

Anderson County now turns its focus to the District 4-AAA tournament, with its sights set on another deep postseason run.