2025 Class 2A State Tournament

[mas1821]

3 hours ago, knightsfan said:

This logic isn’t the best, as different matchups for different style teams.
 

While this is true, Tullahoma turned it up a whole other level during postseason. Wasn’t the same team from the regular season, because I had them going out in the region tournament to stone memorial for this exact reason.  
as for Upperman, they turned it up a whole other level come state tournament time too. 
 

one other thing to add, Tullahoma and Lawrence county is a rivalry game for the 2 due to how in recent/prior years Lawrence county had knocked out Tullahoma. So that game was going to be close just from the mental component of it alone. 
 

I think we have to take in consideration the injuries on Loretto that weren’t there when the played Lawrence prior.

All of this to say I’d have loved to see loretto vs Tullahoma and Upperman. I think they would be close games. I think maybe they beat Tullahoma, but if they played in state tournament I think they lose to Upperman. Upperman is just a whole other beast in the state tourney. 

Loretto vs Lawrence Co is a much bigger rivalry that Lawrence Co. vs Tullahoma.

Yes, Tidwell was hurt at State and had to play a different style.  I understand your thinking, but I've seen all of these teams play a Lot this season.  Upperman is a great team, but they rely on a LOT of production from their Star player, Cobb.  Cobb would have had to dealt with Reynolds the entire game.  Reynolds limits every star player.  IMO, the only way Upperman beats Loretto, even with a limited Tidwell, is if they're able to get Corben in foul Trouble.  Even then, it would be a good game (not a blow out like some other haters mentioned earlier).

 

Alcoa, to me, is 10 points better than Upperman.  Loretto was able to knock them off with an injured Tidwell, in a physical game, where Reynolds was in foul trouble early.  Alcoa had this set up perfectly to take the 3peat, and Loretto was still able to pull it off.  Mind blowing to me because I wasn't super confident based on how things were playing out, but Loretto still pulled it off.

Edited March 24 by mas1821

[knightsfan]

39 minutes ago, mas1821 said:

Loretto vs Lawrence Co is a much bigger rivalry that Lawrence Co. vs Tullahoma.

Yes, Tidwell was hurt at State and had to play a different style.  I understand your thinking, but I've seen all of these teams play a Lot this season.  Upperman is a great team, but they rely on a LOT of production from their Star player, Cobb.  Cobb would have had to dealt with Reynolds the entire game.  Reynolds limits every star player.  IMO, the only way Upperman beats Loretto, even with a limited Tidwell, is if they're able to get Corben in foul Trouble.  Even then, it would be a good game (not a blow out like some other haters mentioned earlier).

 

Alcoa, to me, is 10 points better than Upperman.  Loretto was able to knock them off with an injured Tidwell, in a physical game, where Reynolds was in foul trouble early.  Alcoa had this set up perfectly to take the 3peat, and Loretto was still able to pull it off.  Mind blowing to me because I wasn't super confident based on how things were playing out, but Loretto still pulled it off.

I could definitely see it turn out that way. The problem is no one really stopped Ty Cobb all year. So Reynolds very well might've slowed him down, but I personally can't say it would happen til someone actually does it. 

 

As for Alcoa, them and Upperman have a common opponent in Greeneville. Both played about the same vs them. in control by about 10 points most of the second half. However, one was a mid year game and the other was a state semifinal (of which Greeneville had shot lights out the day before).

I do think Loretto would have had a more favorable matchup against Upperman than Alcoa would have though. We might get that answer next season as Alcoa moves up into the same substate pairings as Upperman in 3A.

[knightsfan]

59 minutes ago, Jaychapman said:

Funny you thought Stone was better team than upperman but Loretto beat Stone 

I originally did earlier in the year, but I was mistaken obviously. Didn't realize how much more physical and athletic Upperman was vs Stone at that time. Let me be clear. I was wrong about that and I haven't thought they were better than Upperman since the first time they played this season. 

[mas1821]

37 minutes ago, knightsfan said:

I could definitely see it turn out that way. The problem is no one really stopped Ty Cobb all year. So Reynolds very well might've slowed him down, but I personally can't say it would happen til someone actually does it. 

 

As for Alcoa, them and Upperman have a common opponent in Greeneville. Both played about the same vs them. in control by about 10 points most of the second half. However, one was a mid year game and the other was a state semifinal (of which Greeneville had shot lights out the day before).

I do think Loretto would have had a more favorable matchup against Upperman than Alcoa would have though. We might get that answer next season as Alcoa moves up into the same substate pairings as Upperman in 3A.

I'm not sure anyone in the state could "stop" Cobb, but Reynolds is one of the best defenders in the state.  IMO (based on seeing him vs other stars), he definitely holds him well under his average.  

 

He flustered Mr Basketball finalist, Rodney Henderson from Tyner.  Loretto played some matchup zone against them due to their athleticism across the board (and tidwell being 50%), but while Reynolds was on him, he didn't get much going. Watch Tyner vs Memphis Business, then watch Tyner vs Loretto.

 

I wish Upperman would schedule Loretto next year.  It would be fun to watch!  Gonna need to have others step up and alter some things losing Buie, Burleson, and Roberson, though!

Edited March 24 by mas1821

[REBELRON]

On 3/23/2025 at 1:14 PM, Jhooper24 said:

Lorretta and Alcoa would have won the 3A. Don’t think they could have won 4A but could have competed. Alcoa beat Oak Ridge and Maryville this year. Loretta with the size could have definitely competed. 

Maryville and Oak Ridge split with Alcoa. 

[REBELRON]

On 3/23/2025 at 12:37 AM, mas1821 said:

Knoxville Webb & Hillsboro are probably the best teams in TN.  It would be hard for any other classes to compete with either due to their size/athleticism/depth combo. 

 

But, Loretto and Alcoa are every bit as good and could easily compete with any other teams in the state (outside of maybe a few other private schools I haven't seen play).

Webb was the best team Maryville played all year.  Hillsboro was the 2nd best team Maryville played.  Maryville played a tough schedule.  Bearden, Alcoa,West,Independence, Bartlett, Walker Valley,Bradley Central Science Hill and Sevier County. I think Alcoa and Loretto can compete with anyone.  Webb is the best team in the state

[mas1821]

6 minutes ago, REBELRON said:

Webb was the best team Maryville played all year.  Hillsboro was the 2nd best team Maryville played.  Maryville played a tough schedule.  Bearden, Alcoa,West,Independence, Bartlett, Walker Valley,Bradley Central Science Hill and Sevier County. I think Alcoa and Loretto can compete with anyone.  Webb is the best team in the state

Agree 100%.

[81ballfan]

13 hours ago, mas1821 said:

I'm not sure anyone in the state could "stop" Cobb, but Reynolds is one of the best defenders in the state.  IMO (based on seeing him vs other stars), he definitely holds him well under his average.  

 

He flustered Mr Basketball finalist, Rodney Henderson from Tyner.  Loretto played some matchup zone against them due to their athleticism across the board (and tidwell being 50%), but while Reynolds was on him, he didn't get much going. Watch Tyner vs Memphis Business, then watch Tyner vs Loretto.

 

I wish Upperman would schedule Loretto next year.  It would be fun to watch!  Gonna need to have others step up and alter some things losing Buie, Burleson, and Roberson, though!

Loretto will easily have the least amount of talent to work with next year that Tipps has had since his return. It will be interesting to see how it goes without having any solid post players to lean on. Kirkland Suratt, Jacob James, Shaler Hankins, Tobias Sirmones, Kasen Buie, Grayson Burleson is an impressive run of bigs.