How Karmine Carmichael helped Cocke County basketball win first state tournament game since 1958

MURFREESBORO — Karmine Carmichael had Cocke County girls basketball’s fate in her hands. 

The freshman forward went to the free-throw line after being fouled while battling for an offensive rebound. Cocke County was trailing Heritage by a single point with 18.6 seconds left in the game.

Carmichael’s first high-arcing shot filled the net cleanly for the tie. The 54% free-throw shooter released the second one, her mind blank during the attempt, she said.

The shot only touched nylon again, giving Cocke County the lead.

“There’s no moment too big for her,” Cocke County coach Boddie Bible said. 

Cocke County outlasted Heritage 55-53 at Middle Tennessee State’s Murphy Center on Thursday, advancing to the TSSAA Class 3A state semifinals. Its appearance in the state tournament is the program’s first since 1988 and the last time it won a game was in 1958, which was its only previous victory. 

Cocke County (29-8) will play Dyersburg (29-4) on Friday at 8:15 p.m. ET.

Carmichael finished with 13 points, eight rebounds, five steals and a block for Cocke County. Sophomore Blakelyn Clevenger had 16 points, three assists and two steals. She also made 7-of-7 free throws. 

Junior Carsyn Swaney had a game-high 21 points to lead Heritage (30-4). Junior Chloe Heath had 19 points, two blocks and two steals. This was the first time since 2000 Heritage appeared in the state tournament.

Carmichael said she wouldn’t have dreamed that in her first year of high school basketball, she would be playing in the state tournament and winning the program’s first tournament game in 66 years. 

“I’m really glad that I got to experience this as a freshman,” Carmichael said. 

Carmichael’s composure didn’t only shine in her free throws. With two minutes remaining in the game, she pressured Heath and dived for a steal that was ruled out of bounds. She crashed into the base of the scorer's table head-first. 

She was shaken up and managed to stand and walk off on her power. Returning from the timeout that followed, Carmichael again swiped for a steal and was successful. On the ensuing offensive possession, she scored in the paint to give Cocke County a two-point lead. 

The toughness Carmichael displayed is emblematic of the team’s philosophy, Bible said. 

“I told them every timeout that we’re the toughest team in the state,” Bible said. “We may not be the most talented … I know one thing for a fact, we won’t ever go out without a fight.”

Bible said one of Carmichael’s best attributes is her composure in high-pressure moments. 

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“Karmine just makes big play after big play late in games,” Bible said. “As the year went on, it’s gotten harder on her because people figured out she can play and she’s really stepped up and started to, sometimes, put us on her back.”

Heritage players and coaches said that her mobility and 6-foot-1 size made her a challenge. They also said she they're confident this won't be the only year she'll lead her team to the state tournament.

“It’s hard to get a shot over her,” the 6-2 Heath said. “She’s a good athlete, she’s gonna be a good player.”

Toyloy Brown III is a Knox News sports reporter. Email toyloy.brown@knoxnews.com. On X, formerly known as Twitter, @TJ3rd_.