10 TSSAA state tourney storylines to watch for in 2024 Spring Fling
George Robinson, Cecil Joyce, Toyloy Brown III, Austin Chastain, Harrison Campbell, Tyler Palmateer and Jacob Shames
The TSSAA baseball, softball and boys soccer state tournaments, along with tennis and track and field, begin Tuesday as part of 2024 Spring Fling in Murfreesboro.
Here’s a look at 10 statewide storylines to watch during the four-day event. Storylines were provided by USA TODAY Network sports writers, Tyler Palmateer (The Tennessean), George Robinson (The Tennessean) Cecil Joyce (Daily News Journal), Harrison Campbell (Columbia Daily Herald), Austin Chastain (The Jackson Sun) and Jacob Shames (The Leafchronicle).
Green Hill softball’s chances of a 4A encore
Everyone knows the Lady Hawks can hit. The defending 4A champs’ batting order may be among the best in the state with sophomore third baseman Avary Stockwell leading the way with 20 home runs and over 70 RBIS. Green Hill also boasts Emily Legrand (16 home runs), Maddie Macintyre (eight homers) and Maliyah Wilkins (nine homers). The question will be, does Green Hill have enough pitching to claim a second straight title?
Farragut baseball dynasty
The Admirals are not only expected to be one of the best baseball teams in the state but arguably in the country. They are back-to-back defending Class 4A state champions and want to go for a three-peat this year. Farragut coach Matt Buckner, who is entering his 14th season, led the Admirals to a 37-8 record last year and has a team that can be just as good. Farragut has 16 seniors who are signed to playing college baseball and 11 at the Division I level.
Can Houston soccer complete unbeaten season?
The Mustangs (19-0-1) would have a perfect record if not for a 2-2 tie against Davidson (Alabama). Houston was shocked by Collierville in a district semifinal last season and didn’t even make the state tournament. That was the first time since 2014 that the Mustangs weren’t in the field. Expect them to be motivated.
Williamson County’s soccer title streak on the line
Two-time defending state champ Brentwood failed to earn a trip to the Class AAA tournament this week. Ravenwood is Williamson County’s lone representative in the eight-team field. The Raptors have been impressive this spring with a 19-2-1 record, but they face state power Houston — who has won seven state titles in program history — in Tuesday’s quarterfinal matchup.
Westview softball, Mccall Sims aim to defend state title
Westview softball star and Tennessee Lady Vols commit, Mccall Sims has been a force in the circle for the Chargers. Her bat is still just as spectacular as it was last season (when teams throw to her). Sims was a catalyst in the Chargers’ run to the state title last season and is hitting over .600 again this season.
Can Pearl-cohn boys’ track and field team maintain edge?
The Firebirds captured the Class A team state title last year, led by Donovan Higgins who captured individual titles in the decathlon and triple jump. Pearl-cohn finished state runner-up in 2021 in the Small Class division and against in Class A in 2022. Josh Sims is set to compete in the 100, 200 and 400meter races and Pearl’s 4x1 and 4x2 relay teams are always a threat.
All eyes will be on Tennessee softball commit Kailey Plumlee
Few players will garner the kind of attention that Plumlee will command. The Gordonsville junior pitcher has over 270 strikeouts this season and a 1.11 ERA. Opponents are batting sub.100 against her. But on the few occasions you can score runs on Gordonsville, Plumlee can make you pay at the plate with a .550 average, 44 hits, 19 home runs and 60 RBIS.
Knoxville Catholic girls tennis doubles three-peat
Senior Eleni Liakonis and junior Lillie Murphy are among the best tennis doubles teams in the state for Knoxville
Catholic as they have won backto-back state championships. Liakonis, a Samford signee, and Murphy, a Furman commit, have played with each other since they were 7 and could end their high school doubles career by accomplishing a third consecutive state championship and a fourth consecutive team state title.
Stewarts Creek softball among youngest at state
Stewarts Creek’s softball team is loaded with talented youth. The Lady Red Hawks (28-14) start four sophomores and a freshman in the batting lineup.
Sophomore Jadyn Brawley (.522 batting average), freshman Kloe Quigle (.490), sophomore Samya Sandifer (.396) and sophomore Jaelyn Stembridge (.384) are among the team’s top hitters. Brawley (7-4, 3.67 ERA) and Sandifer (9-2, 2.21 ERA) area also the team’s top two pitchers.
Columbia Academy baseball seeks first title since 2018
The Bulldogs have returned to the TSSAA state tournament for the first time since 2018, when they won the 1A state championship over Loretto. They’ll be aiming to win a third state title after also previously winning in 1994. They’re led by CJ Durrough and sophomore Gunner Skelton, but won’t have an easy route taking on Providence Academy in round one. Providence took down Clarkesville Academy, who the Bulldogs went 2-1 against this season, in the region tournament.
Reach sports writer George Robinson at georgerobinsontheleafchronicle.com and on the X platform (formerly Twitter) @Cville_sports.