MURFREESBORO – The TSSAA boys basketball state tournament continued on March 20, 2025, with thrilling quarterfinals in the Class 3A and 4A divisions at MTSU's Murphy Center. As the tournament heats up, teams are showcasing their skills in pursuit of the championship.
In the Class 4A quarterfinal, Hillsboro faced off against Maryville, clinging to a 49-42 lead with just 54.2 seconds left on the clock. Tyren Fisher made a pivotal layup off a steal for the Burros, pushing their margin as the tension mounted. Jonathon Woodlee, attempting to close the gap, sank a 3-pointer that brought the Rebels within four points at 45-42 with just 1:40 remaining.
Hillsboro entered the fourth quarter leading 37-31, thanks to significant contributions from Lonny Holland and Cortez Graham-Howard, who both scored nine points by halftime. Hillsboro displayed accurate shooting, going 4-of-9 from the 3-point line while also outrebounding their formidable opponent, Maryville, 17-10. Brody Smith was the standout for Maryville, leading his team with eight points.
On the same day, Bradley Central celebrated a milestone victory, defeating Memphis East 63-48 in their first TSSAA state tournament appearance since 2007. Tyrese Stovall put in an impressive performance, scoring 18 points, while Andrew Walker added another 17. The Bears capitalized on their shooting, ending with a solid 47.2% from the field against Memphis East's 38.3%.
In the Class 3A quarterfinals, Fayette-Ware pulled off a hard-fought victory against Fulton, winning 57-49. After an impressive offensive run, Fayette-Ware now stands at 28-5 and will face Tullahoma in the semifinals. Markylon Terry led Fayette-Ware with 19 points, while Derrick Smith added 16 points for Fulton.
Tullahoma advanced following a notable win over Jackson South Side, with a final score of 68-48. This victory marked a historic moment as it was Tullahoma's first tournament win ever in the TSSAA boys basketball state tournament. Xavier Farrell was the star of the game, scoring an impressive 33 points and securing five rebounds. The Wildcats, under Farrell's electrifying play, forced Jackson South Side into 27 turnovers, converting them into 36 points.
Greeneville also progressed to the semifinals after a 63-46 win over Munford. Trey Thompson was exceptional, tallying 28 points and 12 rebounds. Greeneville will now face Upperman, who defeated Hume-Fogg 54-40, highlighting the competitive nature of the tournament. Ty Cobb starred for Upperman, finishing the day with 28 points and three rebounds.
The Class 3A semifinals, scheduled for March 21, 2025, will see Greeneville match up against Upperman at 4 p.m., while Fayette-Ware will go head-to-head with Tullahoma at 5:30 p.m. In the Class 1A division, the semifinals feature Humboldt against Chattanooga Prep at 9:30 a.m. and Hillcrest meeting Wayne County at 11 a.m.
Additionally, the tournament will follow with championship games on March 22, 2025, with Class 1A starting at 11 a.m. and Class 2A at 1:30 p.m., offering fans an exciting conclusion to an exhilarating tournament.
For those wishing to follow the action live, a subscription to the NFHS Network is available at $79.99 for the year or $11.99 monthly, giving fans access to all TSSAA football and basketball games.
