The struggles continued for the Anderson County High School boys basketball team in its return to the hardwood Friday night.
The new year didn’t reverse the Mavericks’ recent fortunes, as a late rally came up short in a 60-58 loss to Lenoir City in their first game of the 2026 calendar year.
The game — the second meeting between Anderson County and the Panthers this season — was tightly contested early. The teams were tied 11-11 after the first quarter, and Lenoir City held a slim 24-22 lead at halftime.
But the Panthers opened the second half with a burst, scoring the first nine points of the third quarter to seize momentum.
Senior guard drops 57 in dominating win over Harriman
by Ken Lay
Clinton senior guard Bryson Maddox drives in for a layup on a fast break against Harriman on Friday, Jan. 2. Maddox poured in 57 points in the win, setting the Dragons’ single-game scoring record and delivering a historic night for the program. - Tony Cox
A record-setting performance by one of the area’s top players helped the Clinton High School boys basketball team begin the new calendar year on a high note.
Dragons senior guard Bryson Maddox poured in 57 points Friday night, breaking the program’s single-game scoring record and leading Clinton to an 85-62 victory over Harriman at the Don W. Lockard Gymnasium.
“He shot the ball really well,” Clinton Coach Chris Lockard said. “I think he hit nine threes. He shot it really well, and we played really well. Harriman played well too — they were just outmatched.”
Lockard, Clinton’s longtime coach, noted that Maddox has made an impact even when he hasn’t been the team’s top scorer.
“He’s always used to being our top scorer, but when we went up to our tournament in Kentucky, he played well,” Lockard said. “He’s used to being the man, but in Kentucky, he played well when he wasn’t the man. He rebounded well and he defended well.”
Clinton’s girls basketball team captured its third tournament championship of the 2025-26 season over the Christmas break. The Lady Dragons defeated Science Hill 48-35, Powell 52-43, and Oak Ridge 56-54 to claim the title at the Faris McDonald’s Christmas Shootout, hosted by Carter High School. - Tony Cox
The 2025-26 season continued in dominant fashion for the Clinton High School girls basketball team Friday night.
The Lady Dragons, who closed 2025 by winning 16 of their final 17 games, opened the new year with an 82-42 blowout of Harriman at the Don W. Lockard Gymnasium.
Lanee Carmichael led the way with 21 points and seven rebounds. Addi Gamble posted a stat-stuffing night with 19 points, eight assists, six steals, three rebounds and a block.
Caylin Taylor finished with 15 points, six steals, two assists, two rebounds and a block. Josie Moody added 13 points, six rebounds, four steals and three assists.
Friday’s win followed Clinton’s third tournament title of the season.
Anderson County High School football Coach Davey Gillum was recently recognized as the Tennessee Titans Coach of the Week.
Gillum, who has guided the Mavericks to nine consecutive Region 2-4A championships, was honored during the Titans’ 34-26 loss to the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, Dec. 28, at Nissan Stadium in Nashville.
The recognition came after Anderson County’s dramatic 31-30 victory over perennial powerhouse Alcoa in Week 11, the final week of the 2025 regular season.
The win secured the Mavericks’ ninth straight region title despite an earlier loss in region play — their first such defeat in nearly a decade.
Alcoa went on to win the Class 4A state championship, while Anderson County advanced to the state quarterfinals.
Anderson County’s Emerie Bullock had four points and eight rebounds in the Lady Mavericks’ home matchup against Lenior City on Friday night. - Ellie Hatmaker
Offense was hard to come by for the Anderson County High School girls basketball team in its return to the court Friday night.
The Lady Mavericks dropped a 38-33 decision to Lenoir City in a defensive struggle at home in their first game of the 2026 calendar year.
“I’m a defensive-minded coach, and I’m still ready to pull my hair out,” Anderson County Coach Mitch Cupples said. “We struggled, and we made it look a little better because we made a three at the buzzer.
The Lady Mavericks (6-7) scored just two points in the second quarter against the Lady Panthers (6-8).
“We’ve just got to get more consistent scoring,” Cupples said. “We had too many turnovers and we missed some easy shots and we missed a lot of layups. We turned it over too much.”
Senior Macy Basford led the Lady Mavericks with 18 points, including eight in the opening quarter.
Bethany Lowe added nine points, while Emerie Bullock chipped in four points and grabbed eight rebounds.
The Lady Mavericks opened District 4-AAA play Tuesday at Scott High School in Huntsville. Results were unavailable at press time, but Cupples said that the Lady Mavericks would face a stiff challenge in Huntsville.
Oak Ridge junior Justice West rises for a shot over an Alcoa defender during Friday night’s game at Wildcat Arena. The Wildcats defeated the visiting Tornadoes 73-58. - Kyla Carter | ORHS Sports Media
Oak Ridge High School’s boys basketball team rang in the new year with a convincing win over Alcoa, notching a 73-58 victory Friday night at Wildcat Arena.
The Wildcats (5-5) had five players score in double figures in the triumph over the Tornadoes.
Charlie Taubenheim led all scorers with 26 points. Justice West added 14 points, while Ja’Rell Jemerson had 11. Eli Peters and Ethan James each finished with 10 points.
The win marked Oak Ridge’s first game since claiming third place at the Music City Tournament in Nashville during the final week of 2025.
The Wildcats wrapped up the tournament on New Year’s Eve with a 64-51 win over Ravenwood.
Thirteen proved to be a lucky number for Oak Ridge in that contest, as Taubenheim, Jemerson and James each scored 13 points against the Raptors.
In the tournament semifinals on Tuesday, Dec. 30, the Wildcats dropped a 51-46 decision to Page in a defensive battle.
Taubenheim led Oak Ridge with 21 points and reached a career milestone by surpassing 500 points in his high school career. Peters added 10 points, while Jemerson chipped in eight.
Oak Ridge opened the tournament on Saturday, Dec. 27, with a dominant 63-28 win over Whites Creek.
Taubenheim had 16 points, Jemerson scored 11, Peters had nine and West added eight.
An Alcoa defender closes in as Oak Ridge’s Evaiya Mitchell surveys the court for an open teammate during the Lady Wildcats’ game against the Lady Tornadoes. - Kaylin Dimmer | ORHS Sports Media
Oak Ridge High School’s girls basketball team has endured its share of struggles this season amid a rebuilding effort.
But the Lady Wildcats closed out the 2024 calendar year on a high note by winning two of three games in the Faris Family McDonald’s Shootout at Carter High School in Strawberry Plains.
Oak Ridge (3-8) reached the championship game, but fell just short in a 56-54 loss to in-county rival Clinton, which has won 17 of its first 18 games, on Tuesday, Dec. 30.
The Lady Wildcats held a lead against the Lady Dragons.
“That game against Clinton really could’ve gone either way,” Oak Ridge Coach Kevin Tubbs said. “That’s been the case with most of our games. We had a lead against Farragut late, we lost to (Knoxville) Catholic by two, and we lost to Grace in a close game. We’ve been in most of our games, we’ve had leads, and we’ve had chances to win.
“I’m really excited about getting back into district play,” he said.
Oak Ridge opened tournament play with a 63-37 win over Gibbs on Saturday, Dec. 27.
Evaiya Mitchell led the way with 28 points, while Alani Mitchell added 18.
In the semifinals on Monday, Dec. 29, the Lady Wildcats turned in perhaps their most-complete performance of the season, routing Jefferson County 60-32. Evaiya Mitchell scored 26 points as Oak Ridge raced out to a 43-12 halftime lead.
The Lady Wildcats returned to the court Friday night to open the 2026 calendar year but dropped a 70-65 decision to Alcoa at Wildcat Arena.
Evaiya Mitchell scored 39 points and Jenayah Pippins added 10 in the loss to the Lady Tornadoes.
Norris Middle School’s girls basketball team wrapped up the 2025 portion of its schedule by competing in the Maverick Middle School Christmas Classic at Anderson County High School last week.
The Lady Senators, who sit atop their conference standings, went 1-2 in tournament play. They opened the event with a 41-22 loss to Knoxville Halls Middle School on Saturday, Dec. 27.
The Lady Devils are one of the top Class AAA teams in the Knox County Middle School Conference.
Addie Blevins led Norris with nine points, while Kaylee Matchette added five in the opener.
The Lady Senators (13-3) bounced back on Monday, Dec. 29, with a dominant 49-5 win over Huntsville.
Esa Minor led the way with 12 points. Blevins had 11 points and six rebounds. Avery Goehring scored eight, and Matchette finished with four points and 11 rebounds.
Norris closed out the tournament on Tuesday, Dec. 30, with a 26-20 loss to Horace Maynard.
Blevins and Minor scored nine points each, with Blevins pulling down seven rebounds.
The Oak Ridge High School wrestling team resumed competition during the holiday break after illness forced a cancellation of all activities the week before Christmas.
The Wildcats were scheduled to return at the Maryville Invitational — and they did.
But before that, they made a surprise appearance at Anderson County High School on Tuesday, Dec. 30.
Anderson County was hosting Scott in a dual meet and had an opening for a third team.
Oak Ridge Coach Bam Thomas took advantage of the opportunity and brought his squad across the county to Clinton for additional mat time.
Oak Ridge lost both duals against the Mavericks and Highlanders, but Thomas came away encouraged by his team’s performance.
“We went to Anderson County and we didn’t win, but we competed well,” Thomas said.
“We went back and practiced, and it worked well for us. I’m happy with the way we’ve progressed.”
Clinton senior multisport standout Josie Moody is joined by family members as she signs her letter of intent to continue her academic and athletic career at Carson-Newman University in Jefferson City. Pictured are (top, from left) Bailey Story, Heather Story, Freeda Story (Grammie), Felicia Story, Jerry Story and Mason Story. Front row: Skylar Moody, Karrie Moody, mother; Josie Moody; Jason Moody, father; and brother Colby Moody. - Ellie Hatmaker
Clinton High School senior Josie Moody recently finalized her college plans by signing to play volleyball at Carson-Newman University in Jefferson City.
One of the most-decorated athletes in CHS history, Moody is a three-sport standout for the Lady Dragons, excelling in volleyball, basketball and tennis. She may also compete in track and field this spring.
She also considered Tusculum University, but chose Carson-Newman.
“They’ve always been on my radar because they’re close to home, and that’s big for me because I’m a big family person,” Moody said of Carson-Newman. “I went there for a camp, and it felt like home—and that was pretty much it.”
She will enter school as an undeclared major. Ultimately, she chose volleyball over basketball.
“I’ve played basketball since I was five,” Moody said. “I started playing volleyball in middle school, and I loved it. It’s my thing.”
Moody was a dominant presence on the volleyball court for the Lady Dragons, helping lead the program to four consecutive Region 2-AAA tournament appearances. She surpassed 1,000 career kills, 1,000 assists and 1,000 digs during her high school career.
She said competing in college athletics has long been a goal.
“My mom went to Roane State and played basketball,” Moody said. “It’s always been a dream of mine to play in college.”
Joshua Bingham of Anderson County finished 49-1 for the season after defeating Tyson Click of Samuel Everett by major decision, 13-5, in the 215-pound division, clinching the Class A state championship. - Tony Cox
The 2025 calendar year wrapped with major accomplishments for Anderson County’s high school athletes on the wrestling mats and basketball courts.
On the mats, Anderson County and Clinton both saw wrestlers place at the TSSAA state championships in Franklin.
It was a banner season for the Mavericks, who again qualified for the Class A state duals, and claimed a dramatic 33-32 victory over Millington in the second-round consolation match.
That momentum carried into the traditional (individual) state championships.
Senior Josh Bingham won the 215-pound state title, becoming just the second state champion in program history. Eli Bratton also reached the finals at 190 pounds and finished as the state runner-up.
Sophomore Zed Hulet took fourth place in the 120-pound weight class, becoming the first ACHS sophomore to place at state.
Other Maverick state qualifiers included Luke Baldwin (106), Aiden Reed (113), Tripp Haire (126) and Max Wolfley (138).
Lady Mavericks standout Danielle Connors capped her historic season with a fourth-place finish at state.
Competing in its toughest tournament of the season, the Anderson County High School wrestling team had five placers at the Brawl in the Hall at Tennessee High School in Bristol.
Senior Hayden Harrell was the Mavericks’ top finisher, placing third at 113 pounds in a field that included some of the region’s top programs from East Tennessee and across the Southeast.
Senior Deameion Leavell finished fourth at 165 pounds. Aiden Reed (113) and Zed Hulet (138) each placed sixth, while Max Wolfley finished seventh at 150.
“I thought we did OK,” Anderson County Coach Matt Slone said. “This was definitely the toughest tournament we’ve been in all year.
“Pisgah, a team from North Carolina, was there. Dobyns-Bennett was there with its full lineup. Halls and Gibbs were there, and those are two top teams.”
The Mavericks closed out the 2024 calendar year with a 47-36 home victory over Scott on Tuesday, Dec. 30.
Britton Tackett (106), Reed and Wolfley earned wins by forfeit, while Hulet, Harrell, Leavell (175), Edmund Presson (157) and Evan Prewitt recorded pins. Wolfley also won by technical fall.
Anderson County also defeated Oak Ridge, but individual bout results were not available at press time.
Connors wins Bristol title:
Anderson County’s Danielle Connors captured the girls’ 126-pound championship at the Brawl in the Hall. She went 3-0 to claim her second consecutive title at the event.
The Mavericks return to action Thursday with a set of dual meets at Gibbs in Corryton.
