Season recap: Area's top high school basketball moments
It was an interesting season for area basketball teams in 2016-17. Here are the top moments that occurred this season:
Riverdale girls win state, national titles
Riverdale's girls basketball team had a dream season in 2016-17. The Lady Warriors went unbeaten (34-0), won their second consecutive Class AAA state title and finished ranked No. 1 by both USA Today and MaxPreps.
Riverdale will take a 42-game winning streak into next season.
Riverdale was tested only a handful of times throughout the season. One of those was in the state title game when the Lady Warriors held on to defeat Memphis Central 66-59.
Following the season Coach Randy Coffman was named Naismith National Coach of the Year.
Anastasia Hayes earns McDonald's All-American, Miss Basketball
While her team was enjoying a perfect season, guard Anastasia Hayes' senior campaign was about as perfect.
Hayes, a 5-foot-7 point guard, signed with the University of Tennessee prior to the season, was named a McDonald's All-American during the season and won the Class AAA Miss Basketball award prior to the state tournament. She was also named Gatorade state Player of the Year, was also named all-american by other publications and was one of the five finalists for the Naismith High School Player of the Year award.
Hayes averaged more than 22 points, five rebounds and five assists a contest this season.
Oakland boys break decade-long state drought
Oakland's boys were already having a stellar season and then got hot at the right time in earning the team's first state tournament appearance since 2007.
Under second-year coach Troy Bond, the Patriots, who finished 24-8, knocked off Blackman 51-39 in the Region 4-AAA finals and ultimately reached the Class AAA state tourney with a sectional win over Walker Valley.
Oakland's season came to an end with a 59-40 loss to Southwind in the state quarterfinals.
Stewarts Creek girls earn first state tournament berth
After reaching the sectional last year, Stewarts Creek's girls took it to the next level this season, reaching the Class AAA state tournament for the first time.
Behind second-year coach Lindy King, Stewarts Creek upset previously unbeaten and second-ranked Bradley Central 55-49 in the sectional to reach the state.
The Lady Red Hawks' season ended in the state quarterfinals, 67-64 in double overtime, to Dickson County.
Oakland girls forced to forfeit 18 wins
Late in the regular season the Oakland girls basketball team was forced by the TSSAA to forfeit all of its wins (18) for playing an ineligible player during those wins.
The player did not meet TSSAA transfer requirements and will be ineligible until late in the 2017-18 season.
Oakland rebounded for a third-place finish in the district tournament before falling at Lawrence County in the first round of the region tournament.
Third-ranked Blackman boys lose final two, denied state trip
Third-ranked Blackman was upset in its final two games to be denied a seventh consecutive trip to the state tournament.
The Blaze were held to 39 points in a setback to Oakland in the region finals, forcing a road trip in the Class AAA Sectional.
East Hamilton proceeded to hit 12 3-pointers and came from behind to defeat the Blaze 72-68 in the sectional to end Blackman's season at 26-5.
Bush resigns as Siegel girls coach
Following a 4-22 season, Siegel High lost the only head girls coach its ever had.
Longtime area coach Alan Bush, who started the program when the school opened in 2003, resigned following the season, citing family obligations as a major factor.
The search for the team's next head coach is under way.
Providence Christian girls win 22 in first season in TSSAA
Providence Christian Academy's girls basketball team made a big splash in their first season in TSSAA.
Competing in Division II-A East/Middle District 2, the Lady Lions earned a region berth before falling 57-46 to FRA in the quarterfinals.
Coach Tara James' squad finished 22-5.