Tournament time is special for players

As this is being written, high school basketball tournaments have begun in East Tennessee. After a season of highs and lows for many teams, tournament time brings excitement and drama for the coaches, players, and fans. The hard work players put in, beginning back on November 1st with pre-season practices, pays off this time of year. Coaches want their teams playing their best for the tournaments. For those teams with poor records, it is a chance for them to redeem themselves with some wins in the district and regional tourneys. There are usually several upsets across the state in the early rounds. It is not an easy road to the state tournament. A team must play about six or seven games, including a win in the sub-state game, to get to the final eight at Middle Tennessee State Univ. in Murfreesboro, site of the boys and girls state tournaments. For players and fans, there is nothing more exciting than being a participant at the state. In the past few years Sevier County has sent several teams to the state tournament. In fact, Sevier County’s girls won the state in 2002. In 2001 the Seymour boys team went to the semi-finals of the state, beating Dyer County before losing to a Memphis team. Seymour’s Lady Eagles went to Murfreesboro in 2003 and 2004, twice losing in the semi-finals. In their loss to McMinn Central last year, Seymour’s Brooke Johnson tied a state tournament record with 42 points. She broke a state record with 18 field goals, including 10 consecutive, another state record. The dreams of high school players across the state are still alive for many of them. In the end, only the best survive and make it to Murfreesboro. The journey is dangerous, but the reward is great for those who get there.