ROUNDUP: Simmons, Jones, Howard, Hardin, Clark earn TSWA All-State honors

The first Mr. Basketball finalist in Unicoi County boys basketball history was one of five local players to earn All-State recognition from the Tennessee Sports Writers Association. Jackson Simmons, chosen to the 3A All-State team as a junior, made the Class 2A All-State squad as a senior for 2025-26. Simmons finished his career as the Blue Devils' all-time leading scorer at 2,823 points. He currently ranks fourth on the Northeast Tennessee boys basketball all-time scoring list. The Milligan University signee scored 25.5 points per game as a senior while grabbing 5.0 boards and dishing out 2.0 assists — not to mention shooting 62% from the field. Simmons also shot 84.7% from the foul line, fourth best in the area, while hitting 2.3 3-pointers a game. Simmons led Unicoi County to three sectional trips in four years including a run to state his freshman season. Volunteer senior Jeremiah Jones and Tennessee High senior Braden Howard were named to the Class 3A All-State team. Jones, a transfer from Dobyns-Bennett, ranked third in the Tri-Cities at 22.5 points per game. He also grabbed 9.5 boards with 0.5 blocks while leading Volunteer to the District 2-3A title. Howard helped the Vikings reach their first state tournament since 2005, averaging 16.7 points with 4.0 assists and 2.6 steals a game. Unaka junior John Hardin and Hampton freshman Colby Clark made the 1A All-State squad. Hardin, also a repeat honoree, averaged a double-double in helping Unaka earn its first state tournament berth since 2005. His 23.3 points per game ranked second in the Tri-Cities, while his 13 boards led the way. He also averaged 1.4 blocks and a made 3-pointer each game while shooting 71% at the foul line. Hardin also tied Unaka's single-game scoring record with 43 points. Clark averaged 17.1 points a game with 4.3 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 1.5 steals and 0.6 blocks to help Hampton return to the state tournament. BASEBALL Daniel Boone 7, Sullivan East 0 GRAY — The Trailblazers locked up a share of the regular season conference title with the win, and also reached the 20-win mark for the third-straight year. "That's goal number one," Boone head coach Scott Hagy said. "We set out to win the conference title first and that's what we did. Next up is the district tournament." T.J. Leonard, K Ray, and Cole Duncan dominated in the circle, combining for 17 strikeouts and no walks. The trio only allowed four hits in seven innings. Duncan also accounted for three of Boone's four RBI as a team. Catcher Jack Ridley reached in three of his four plate appearances, including a triple. Luke Blevins hit a double as the lone extra-base hit of the game for the Patriots, who will play in the 4/5 matchup in the district tournament on Wednesday. Tennessee High 13, David Crockett 5 JONESBOROUGH — The Vikings also clinched a share of District 1-3A's regular season on Monday, joining Boone and Elizabethton at 8-4 in league play. Dayne Musick, Eli Ragan, and Traye Collette all left the yard for Tennessee High. Collette also drove in four RBI, while Gage Graziano went 3-for-5 with two doubles and three RBI. Lukas Easterling went 2-for-4 and Carson Bradburn tripled for the Pioneers. Unaka 19, Cloudland 2 ELIZABETHTON — The Rangers erupted for 15 runs in the first inning to seize control of the ballgame. Brandon Buckles, Jacob Schaffer, and Rylan Crabtree all drove in three RBI in a balanced Unaka attack. Crabtree and Buckles were the only Rangers to post multi-hit games. Walker Gouge tripled and scored a run from the leadoff spot for the Highlanders. Patrick Henry (Va.) 7, Hampton 6 HAMPTON — Aidan Monahan led the Rebel offense with a three-run home run in the first inning to center field. Cade Brown and Carter Brown both had two-hit games for the visitors and Trajan Cannon drove in a pair of RBI, including the game-winner on a sacrifice fly in the seventh. Eli Henson went 2-for-4 with a pair of runs scored for the Bulldogs and only allowed one hit out of the bullpen in 2 ⅓ innings of work. Colby Clark also had a pair of singles. Rye Cove 19, Council 1 COUNCIL — Hagan Rhoton, Cole Barnette, and Gabe Ramsey combined for a five-inning no-hitter for the Eagles. Barnette recorded six strikeouts in 2 ⅓ innings. Rhoton and Ramsey each drove in four runs on two hits, Tyler Shupe went 4-for-5, and both Will Darnell and Will Rollins had three-hit games. Jacob Ray scored the Cobras' lone run. SOFTBALL Daniel Boone 6, Greeneville 2 GRAY — The Lady Blazers broke a deadlock with four runs in the sixth to earn the win. Payton Guinn had the big blow, a two-run double with one out in the frame. It was the second of her two hits. Laney Britton, Aggie Greer, and McKenzie Shivers all also had multi-hit evenings for the hosts. Emmi Croley only allowed three hits in a complete-game effort. Both Brylee Tullock and Katie Johnson singled and scored a run for the Lady Greene Devils. Unicoi County 3, David Crockett 1 ERWIN — Lela Byrd only allowed one hit while recording nine strikeouts for the Lady Blue Devils. She also had the only two hits of the night for Unicoi County, including a two-run home run in the bottom of the first inning. Bella Blanton had the lone hit for the Lady Pioneers, a double. Madelyn Dulaney struck out a dozen in the circle. Sullivan East 5, Cherokee 4 BLUFF CITY — Audrey Easley had three hits and two runs scored from the leadoff spot for the Lady Patriots. Makynlee Johnson went 2-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored, and P Smith struck out eight and only allowed one earned run. Kenzie Collins hit an RBI double and Lydia Augusta went 2-for-3 for the Lady Chiefs. University High 20, Chuckey-Doak 7 AFTON — Madison Luck went 3-for-5 with a double, four RBI, and two runs scored out of the top of the order for the Lady Bucs. Reece Williams added a four-hit game, Alex Boynewicz hit three singles, and Tyla Barnett drove in four RBI from the bottom of the lineup. Elizabeth Manuel went a perfect 3-for-3 with two runs scored and Hayleigh Seidl drove in three for the Lady Black Knights. Cloudland 18, North Greene 7 ROAN MOUNTAIN — Willow Bennett drove in six RBI for the Lady Highlanders on two hits, including a triple. Reagan Turbyfill also had a strong offensive game, carrying a 3-for-4 line with four runs driven in. Peyton Presswood also had three hits as all but one starter for Cloudland registered at least one knock. Matti Phillips singled once and scored a pair of runs for the Lady Huskies. West Greene 6, Happy Valley 5 MOSHEIM — Victoria Ramsey hit a walk-off single to score Miranda Hunter in the bottom of the eighth inning to win the game for the Lady Buffaloes. Emily Miller tied the game in the seventh inning for the Lady Warriors after a Chloe Cochran single and a West Greene error. Alex Moore had a pair of hits for the visitors in defeat. Johnson County 10, Hampton 0 HAMPTON — Ezzy Barr only allowed two hits and struck out 10 in the circle for the Lady Longhorns. Ella Icenhour scored twice and drove in two RBI and both Karlie Fletcher and Clara Wilson had a pair of hits. Lauren Smith and Lillian Andrews each singled for the Lady Bulldogs.