Knoxville boys basketball rankings: Who is No. 1 after Fulton, Alcoa repeat as state champs?

Here are the top 10 Knoxville-area boys high school basketball teams as ranked by Knox News at the conclusion of the 2023-24 season.

1. Fulton (35-2): Fulton won its second straight Class 3A state title and finished with the most wins in program history. The Falcons beat Ridgeway 68-47 in the championship game and were led by Tyler Lee, a Mr. Basketball winner, who had 22 points. The last time Fulton won back-to-back championships was in 2008 and 2009. Last Week: Ranked No. 1.

2. Alcoa (26-13): The Tornadoes won back-to-back state championships for the first time, beating Douglass 76-67 in the title game. Jahvin Carter, a Penn State signee and Class 2A Mr. Basketball, had 28 points and five assists in the title game. He also had a 40-point game in the semifinals. Last Week: Ranked No. 3. 

3. Knoxville Webb (24-5): Webb remains within the top three after making it to the final four of the Division II-AA state tournament. The Spartans lost 63-48 to Brentwood Academy for the second year in a row. Last Week: Ranked No. 2.

4. Maryville (26-8): The Rebels lost 70-60 in the Class 4A state quarterfinals to Cookeville. They were led by sophomore Brayden Hazelbaker, who had 20 points. Four of the starters for Maryville were sophomores. Last Week: Ranked No. 5. 

5. Austin-East (23-12): The Roadrunners made their third state tournament appearance since 2008. In their 72-49 Class 2A quarterfinals loss to Douglass, freshman Condis Cherry had 16 points Last Week: Ranked No. 4. 

6. Morristown East (29-9): Morristown East’s second state tournament concluded in a Class 4A quarterfinals loss to Rossview. In the 64-43 defeat, Kyle Cloninger had 17 points and eight rebounds. Last Week: Ranked No. 6. 

7. Bearden (28-9): Bearden’s season closed on a game-winner from Morristown East in a Class 4A sectional. The Bulldogs were an improved group compared to their 19-win season a year ago. Last Week: Ranked No. 7. 

8. Oak Ridge (25-8): Oak Ridge fell to Bearden in the Region 2-4A semifinals, losing on a 3-pointer 48-47. The Wildcats have lost in the region semifinals three straight years. Last Week: Ranked No. 8. 

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9. Gatlinburg-Pittman (26-8): The Highlanders' season came to a close against the eventual back-to-back state champions Alcoa in the Region 1-2A semifinals. Junior Ty Glasper, a Mr. Basketball finalist, finished the season averaging 27 points. Last Week: Ranked No. 9. 

10. William Blount (24-10): Caden Windle, a Class 4A Mr. Basketball finalist, and Grady Robertson end their careers as the top two scorers in the program’s history, respectively. The Governors lost to Maryville 54-52 in the Region 2-4A semifinals. Last Week: Ranked No. 10.

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