TSSAA boys basketball tournament: Storylines, red-hot teams and playoff watch list
Tennessee high school boys basketball's Division I district tournaments begin this week while the DII programs enter the region tournament.
As we move closer to next month's state tournaments, here's a look at the Nashville area's top storylines, teams with red-hot momentum entering the TSSAA basketball playoffs and names to watch.
Five red-hot teams in the TSSAA basketball playoffs
Centennial
The Cougars have lost only two games since the new year, both to teams that were featured in the Tennessean Large Class rankings and ranked in the Associated Press high school basketball poll. Entering this week, Centennial has won nine of its last 11 games.
Columbia Academy
The Bulldogs have saved its best basketball at the right time. Clarksville Academy beat Battle Ground Academy in last week's District 3 tournament semifinal and then knocked off Providence Christian in double overtime to capture the district championship.
Hillsboro
A Class 4A state tournament team last year, Hillsboro has controlled District 11-4A this season finishing the regular season with a 10-0 record. The Burros have won eight straight with its last loss coming at the hands of Division II-AA foe Pope John Paul II. The trio of Arnez Anderson, Cortez Graham-Howard and Ty Fisher has been supplemented by the play of forward, Xavier Washington.
Independence
Independence's four-game stretch of three losses, in late January, may have put doubt in the team's ability to return to the Class 4A state tournament. But the Eagles have course-corrected with six straight wins to finish the regular season led by Southern Miss signee Jett Montgomery who is averaging 20.8 points, 4.2 rebounds and three assists.
Upperman
The Bees returned from the Christmas holidays and suffered a District 7-3A loss to Stone Memorial. But that was their last loss as they wrapped up the regular-season league title with a 9-1 record and holding a 12-game win streak.
Three storylines to watch in TSSAA basketball playoffs
Does Brentwood Academy have enough?
The Eagles are looking to defend their Division II-AA state title and have the state's returning Gatorade Player of the Year and 2024 Mr. Basketball finalist, Tyler Tanner who is averaging 26 points. Brentwood Academy had an off night, shooting, in a 44-42 loss to MBA. Since then coach Andy Blackston's team hasn't lost as it holds the No. 2 seed in the DII-AA Middle Region tournament.
Goodpasture's daunting week
Like Brentwood Academy, Goodpasture in DII-A is trying to repeat as state champs. But the Cougars face a huge test against BGA in the first round of the Middle Region tournament Wednesday. Forward Jayden Jones is a Mr. Basketball finalist and if Goodpasture wins, a potential semifinal showdown with 2-seed Providence Christian would loom on Friday.
The Whites Creek turnaround
The Cobras are only four years removed from a 1-24 season and is looking to make its deepest run since 2017-18. That's the last time the Cobras advanced to a Class 2A sectional and the state tournament. Tyron Robertson had led the resurgence averaging 15 points this season.
10 must-see players to watch
Fred Bailey, Pope John Paul II: Bailey has led the Knights this season, averaging 17.4 points, 5.5 rebounds and 3.7 assists.
Odell Bradley IV, Beech: The Bucs senior averages 18 points, four assists, four rebounds and two steals. He recently surpassed 1,000 career points.
Christian Brown, Franklin: The 6-foot-8 center is averaging 17.4 points and 10.1 rebounds for an Admirals team that won 10 straight games during a four-week period this season.
Daniel Cochran, Brentwood: While Brentwood has struggled, losing five of its last seven games, Cochran is still a load to handle. He's averaging 22.4 points, 9.3 rebounds, 1.3 blocks and a steal.
Ty Fisher, Hillsboro: While Fisher only averages 9.2 points, the 6-foot-4 combo guard controls the offense often playing point while averaging 7.8 rebounds and 4.8 assists.
Jeremy Jackson Jr., Columbia Academy: Jackson is averaging 15 points, 9.6 rebounds and 4.4 assists. He was named All District 3 and district tournament MVP in Division I-A.
BASKETBALL POSTSEASON TSSAA basketball brackets: District tournament schedule, scores for Nashville area
Kavien Jones, BGA: The Mr. Basketball finalist has been efficient in the post, shooting, 68.4% from the field while averaging 20.6 points, 9.8 rebounds, two blocks and also shooting 36% from the 3-point line.
Tylan Lewis, Independence: While Montgomery earns the lion share of attention, Lewis has been the glue for the Eagles, averaging 13.4 points, 5.3 rebounds and 4.1 assists.
George MacIntyre, Brentwood Academy: MacIntyre, a 5-star Tennessee football commit at quarterback, has been a rim protector and an inside scoring threat who can stretch defenses with his outside shot.
Auden Slaughter, Santa Fe: Slaughter has been one of the best scorers in the state, averaging over 35 points this season. He poured in 46 points in last week's game against Culleoka last Friday.
Reach sports writer George Robinson at georgerobinson@theleafchronicle.com and on the X platform (formerly Twitter) @Cville_Sports.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: TSSAA basketball: Nashville area playoff storylines, teams to watch
