2019-2020 Knoxville Catholic Fighting Irish
Head Coach Mike Hutchens
Record 25-4
Best Players: B.J. Edwards and Akeem Odusipe
The 2020 team lost to nationally ranked IMG and Gonzaga College Prep out of Washington DC in their own Christmas Tournament. Beat Kennedy Chandler and Briarcrest (the 2019 state champions) 50-47 in the state championship game. All 5 of Knoxville Catholic's starters signed with DI schools: guard BJ Edwards (6'3), 4 star recruit, signed with Tennessee (now at SMU); post Akeem Odusipe (6'9), 3 star recruit, signed with Vanderbilt (transferred to Kent State, now at Tusculum College), center Handje Tamba (6'11) 3 star recruit signed with Tennessee (now at Weber State); guard Blue Cain (6'4) 4 star recruit now at Georgia and guard Presley Patterson (5'11) walk on at Auburn. Other notable Irish squads were the 2016-17 Knoxville Catholic team, finished the season 31-2, TSSAA Class AA state runner-up, team was led by Belmont guard Luke Smith and ETSU post Brock Jancek, they had a 28 game winning streak, lost to Maplewood 60-57 in the championship game. This team averaged 76 ppg and gave up 44 ppg. The 2021-22 Fighting Irish team was 28-4, nationally ranked as high as 17th. Led by BJ Edwards and Blue Cain. Team lost to undefeated Christian Brothers in the title game, 79-72 (defeated unbeaten Brentwood Academy in the state semi-finals). Edwards played with a broken foot in the state tournament which he injured in the MUS game, in the state quarter finals. 3 of their 4 losses were to Memphis teams CBHS, Memphis East, Bartlett, and national power IMG.