Bracket Preview: 4-AA
After losing their appeal to TSSSA 11-0, Austin-East is conclusively banned from the 2018 postseason. Austin-East might not be the best team in 4-AA, but they certainly challenge perennially for the District Championship.
District 4 AA District Tournament pic.twitter.com/aZwaQFORW8
— alcoasports (@alcoasports) February 12, 2018
Without the Roadrunners involved District 4-AA becomes a simple four team tournament. No byes and no play-in games are needed.
Fulton’s Falcons (18-7, 7-1) are the heavy favorite. Look for scoring from Edward Lacey, Trey Davis, or Deshawn Page. A Friday night fight with Scott County (8-19) barely looks challenging on paper. Luckily Scott County gets to play Fulton away from their Falcon nest at 5:30 PM. Kingston hosts the entire district draw.
Kingston was crushed twice by Fulton during the regular season. Early December the Falcons buried the Yellowjackets 73-39 and the return to Kingston barely improved, 69-46. If Alcoa slips up against Kingston, Fulton should coast into the regional after sweeping KHS.
The Falcons own AA State Championships: 2008, 2009, 2016.
Falcons will play Scott County this Friday at 5:30 pm at Kingston High School in the district tournament semi-finals. Come show your support our program as we take on the Highlanders! #FalconHoops #FultonFamily
— FultonBasketball (@FultonBBall) February 12, 2018
Alas the Alcoa Tornadoes (17-9) are a team worth fretting over. Alcoa boasts regular season wins against Grace Christian, Maryville, Marshall County, and Rossville Christian. Look closer at those four teams and you will see three mid- to high-major players. Maryville’s Joe Anderson (2020) just won District Player of the Year. Marshall County’s KJ Johnson continues to earn offers and evaluations and Malik Riddle should wind up playing D1 basketball by fall ’18.
Ideally Fulton and Alcoa will clash for the third time. Tuesday February 20th would be a fantastic time to see the two District 4-AA powers collide.