PCA tops upstart Frank Hughes for No. 1 in final Nashville boys basketball Small Class rankings
Tyler PalmateerThe Tennessean’s Nashville area high school boys basketball Small Class rankings have been released following the conclusion of the 2024 TSSAA basketball state tournament.
Schools chosen are from Class 1A, 2A and Division II-A. Postseason performance was weighed the most heavily, but other results from the season were considered.
1. Providence Christian (26-4) — PCA came just short of winning the program’s first state championship, falling 57-55 to FACS in the Division II-A state final. Judson Bjornstad scored 19 points. Previous ranking: No. 1.
2. Frank Hughes (26-10) — The third-smallest TSSAA public school with a basketball program, with an enrollment of 93, came out of nowhere to reach the Class 1A final, falling 64-41 to Chattanooga Prep. Aiden Dicus scored 16 points. Previous ranking: Unranked.
3. Whites Creek (21-5) — The Cobras’ best season since 2017-18 ended with a 67-39 loss to state runner-up Douglass in the Class 2A semifinals. Noah Hughes scored 12 points. Previous ranking: No. 2.
4. Santa Fe (26-6) — Auden Slaughter, who was snubbed from being a Mr. Basketball finalist, scored 30 and 41 points, respectively, in two state tournament games before Santa Fe’s 62-51 loss to eventual champion Chattanooga Prep in the semifinals. Previous ranking: No. 10.
5. Gordonsville (24-11) — Gordonsville was one game short of reaching the Class 1A state championship game, falling to Frank Hughes 48-43 in the semifinals despite Eli Adams’ 11 points and 11 rebounds. Gordonsville defeated Memphis Middle College 49-40 in overtime in the quarterfinals. Previous ranking: Unranked.
6. Cannon County (25-8) — Cannon County's season ended with a 61-41 loss to Ripley in the Class 2A state quarterfinals. Demaurion Locke scored 19 points. Previous ranking: No. 7.
7. Hickman County (22-10) — A late-season run ended in the Class 2A quarterfinals with a 52-31 loss to Whites Creek. Dylan Qualls scored 10 points. Previous ranking: Not ranked.
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8. East Nashville (15-10) — Despite an up-and-down season, the Eagles reached the Class 2A state tournament for the third year in a row. Pocjowk Nyapal scored 13 points in a 74-40 loss to eventual champion Alcoa. Previous ranking: Not ranked.
9. Webb School - Bell Buckle (20-13) — The Feet’s late postseason run ended in a 63-51 loss at Silverdale in the DII-A quarterfinals. Previous ranking: No. 9.
10. Columbia Academy (26-6) — The Bulldogs’ season ended with a 53-52 loss to FACS in the DII-A state quarterfinals. It marked the end of a wild postseason for Columbia Academy. Five of its eight playoff games were decided by four points or less. Previous ranking: No. 5.
Reach sports writer Tyler Palmateer at tpalmateer@tennessean.com and on the X platform, formerly Twitter, @tpalmateer83.