Caroline Hill just couldn’t stop breaking Dobyns-Bennett girls basketball records — eventually her own records.
By the time her senior year was finished, Hill held both the single-season and career marks for 3-point baskets. Having already tied D-B’s single-game 3-point mark with eight in a game, Hill now stands alone in the Lady Indians’ record book for 3-pointers in a season (80) and career (222).
On Tuesday, Hill was named the Kingsport Times News/Johnson City Press All-Northeast Tennessee Girls Basketball Player of the Year.
The Carson-Newman signee was reliable at the free-throw line, too, making 88.2% to lead Northeast Tennessee. Her 2.5 triples per game ranked fifth, and she averaged 14.9 points per game during the regular season. Hill fired in 19 points to help D-B win its 4A sectional game at Farragut and send the Lady Indians to their first state tournament trip since 1995.
COACH OF THE YEAR
Bill Francis had guided Dobyns-Bennett’s girls to the sectional round twice before, 2016 and 2019. But this time, the Tribe’s nearly three-decade absence from Murfreesboro came to an end.
All after not even making it out of last year’s district tournament. Thus, Francis is the Northeast Tennessee Girls Basketball Coach of the Year.
This season also marked the first time Dobyns-Bennett’s girls won both the regular-season conference title and district tournament championship the same year. The Lady Indians finished Region 1-4A runners-up before their sectional win at Farragut, earning just the program’s third state tournament trip and finishing 24-9.
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Aaliyah Story’s 15.5 points per game almost felt like a byproduct of her impact everywhere else on the floor. David Crockett’s 6-foot-3 sophomore forward nearly averaged a double-double with her 9.8 rebounds a night. That and her 2.5 blocks per game both ranked second in Northeast Tennessee.
Thus, Story has been selected as Northeast Tennessee’s Girls Basketball Defensive Player of the Year.
A matchup nightmare in the paint, Story helped the Lady Pioneers win the District 1-3A tournament and earn their first-ever region tournament win. Not to mention, Crockett also cracked the state’s Associated Press top five for the first time.
MOST PROMISING UNDERCLASSMANYes, David Crockett sharpshooter Brylee Tullock was still an underclassman this season. She’s already joined the Lady Pioneers’ 1,000-point club, having accomplished the feat during her sophomore year.
Averaging 19 points per game this season, tied for second most in the area, Tullock was named the Northeast Tennessee Girls Basketball Most Promising Underclassman.
Tullock was impactful in other areas, too, averaging 2.5 steals, five boards and three assists per contest.
FIRST TEAM
Kyleigh Bacon, senior, Daniel Boone: The reigning Northeast Tennessee Female Athlete of the Year, Bacon was once again at the forefront of Daniel Boone’s success. She averaged 16.1 points, 8.5 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 2.0 steals per game while hitting 76.9% of her free throws, leading Boone back to the Region 1-4A semifinals.
Saharra McKinney, senior, Cloudland: Two of her Cloudland teammates averaged double- digit scoring, but McKinney led the Lady Highlanders on both ends of the floor as they returned to the 1A state tournament. McKinney’s 5.0 steals per game led Northeast Tennessee, and her 5.0 assists ranked third.
Addie Wilhoit, freshman, Tennessee High: Last year’s Most Promising Underclassman as an eighth-grader, Wilhoit led Northeast Tennessee in scoring with her 19.5 points per game. She also averaged 2.5 3-pointers and 2.0 steals while making 85.8% of her free throws.
Haley Bailey, senior, North Greene: Bailey nearly averaged a double-double with 17.9 points and 9.2 rebounds. The Class 1A Miss Basketball finalist led the Lady Huskies to their fifth consecutive state tournament.
Anna Shaw, senior Greeneville: One of four Lady Greene Devils to score in double figures at 10.0 ppg, Shaw carried Greeneville on both ends of the floor and to its third straight 3A tournament. Shaw’s 4.0 steals and 4.8 assists ranked third and fourth, respectively, in NET, on top of her 6.3 rebounds and 77.0 free throw percentage.
SECOND TEAM
Veda Barton, senior, Volunteer: Barton, a Walters State volleyball signee, averaged 12.8 points and 2.1 steals her senior basketball season while hitting 72.3% of her free throws. Her efforts helped the Lady Falcons win the District 2-3A tournament title and reach the region semifinals.
Marlee Mathena, senior, Elizabethton: The Lady Cyclones forward played a pivotal role in her team’s late-season turnaround. Averaging 10.1 points and 5.9 rebounds a game, Mathena helped Elizabethton get within overtime of a third straight trip to Murfreesboro.
Carter Jones, freshman, West Ridge: The newcomer to the Lady Wolves already has two game-winning shots to her name, along with all-district tournament honors. Jones led West Ridge in three categories: points (12.8), 3-pointers (1.1) and free-throw percentage (73.0).
Bella Ferguson, junior, David Crockett: Ferguson broke the Lady Pioneers’ career assist record six games into her junior season. Her 9.8 helpers per game easily led Northeast Tennessee, and she averaged 1.8 3-pointers while making 70.0% of her foul shots.
Macy Henry, senior, Hampton: The Lady Bulldogs’ leading scorer with 10.0 points per game, Henry also grabbed 5.2 rebounds and 2.4 steals to help Hampton win back-to-back district titles and reach the Region 1-2A semifinals.
