Another talented player from Cleveland High School's hoops factory has committed to compete at college basketball's highest level.
Jasen Brooks became the fourth Blue Raider in three years pledged to a Division I program, with the 6-foot-2, 185-pound senior guard committing to the University of California, San Diego after taking an official visit to the Big West Conference program.
PrepHoops.com ranks Brooks as the state of Tennessee's No. 8 prospect in the class of 2023. He is an explosive playmaker who is strong on the drive, rebounds extremely well for his size and can catch fire from long range.
He scored 30 points against Oak Ridge and 26 against Tyner last season, making five 3-pointers in each game.
"Jasen's work ethic and drive to improve every part of his game to help our program be successful and to fulfill his dream of playing Division I basketball has been a joy to be a part of," Cleveland coach Reggie Tucker said.
"He fell in love with the process at an early age and always wanted to be in the gym. His relentless approach and determination has never changed. Every time I had JaCobi (Wood) and Grant (Hurst) in the lab training, he was right there with us despite being a lot younger."
Wood transferred to Murray State in Kentucky this year after appearing in 64 games over two seasons at Belmont University in Nashville, and Hurst is set to play alongside fellow Blue Raiders alum KK Curry at the University of Tennessee at Martin this season.
Brooks will obviously be a lot farther away from home if he follows through and signs with UC San Diego, which made four NCAA D-III tournaments in the early 1990s and is in the process of fully transitioning to D-I after five NCAA D-II tourney appearances while at the level. The Tritons' roster includes freshman forward Cade Pendleton, an East Hamilton graduate.
The Blue Raiders will try to make their fourth Class AAA state tournament appearance in a row this season, and Brooks, who carries a 4.0 GPA, will be at the front of the charge this winter.
"He will be expected to lead this squad by example and vocally," Tucker said. "He is already leading the way consistently each day on and off the court."
District champs
East Hamilton junior Tristin Sutton led her volleyball team to the District 6-AA championship as she compiled 10 aces and 25 assists in Tuesday's sweeps of Red Bank and Hixson. Sutton was named tournament MVP, and teammate Georgia Dobson also starred with 15 aces and 14 kills for the Lady Hurricanes (30-8).
Boyd Buchanan improved to 26-2 by surviving a five-set scare in DII-A's District 2 title match, beating Silverdale Baptist Academy 25-13, 25-19, 22-25, 23-25, 15-8. Calla Brady had 40 digs, Caitlyn Kruse had eight aces and Cali Sandhoff had 18 kills and eight blocks to lead the Lady Buccaneers to victory.
Cleveland (42-5) won the District 5-AAA title as senior Addison Hurst posted 14 kills.
Barrueta's big honor
Dalton State College sophomore goalkeeper Michael Barrueta from Signal Mountain has been brilliant in front of the net to start the season. He was named NAIA defensive player of the week after making three saves in a 1-0 home win last Friday as the Roadrunners opened Southern States Athletic Conference competition with a win against Mobile, which had a No. 1 national ranking at the time.
Barrueta has been a driving force for undefeated Dalton State (8-0-3, 1-0-1), which moved up from No. 9 to No. 3 in the NAIA coaches' poll this week.
Hayes recognized
Former East Hamilton star McKennna Hayes, a Chattanooga State freshman, was named NJCAA player of the week after compiling 16 aces in a single match, with 13 coming in one set. She finished with 42 kills and 20 aces in 11 sets to earn the player of the week honor.
Carbone's big day
GPS senior forward Sasha Carbone had five goals in Tuesday's 6-0 Division II-AA East Region victory at Knoxville Catholic. The Bruisers (10-2-1) are ranked eighth in the country by MaxPreps.com.
Contact Patrick MacCoon at pmaccoon@timesfreepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @PMacCoon.