Why Skylar Walden knew a TSSAA basketball state championship game was inevitable for The King's Academy
COOKEVILLE — The King's Academy girls basketball coach Dante Turnipseed watched as a leaping, screaming mass of purple and white developed in front of him. He pumped both his fists, yelling "Let's go!" while shiny pom-poms flew through the air.
It's been, in Turnipseed's words, a "roller coaster" ride for the Lions, a ride that none of them want to get off. And they won't have to just yet.
TKA (27-7) beat Providence Christian 57-36 in Thursday's TSSAA basketball Division II-A state semifinal at the Hooper Eblen Center and will face either Webb School - Bell Buckle or University School of Jackson in Saturday's championship game that will start at 11 a.m.
The Lions, whose first and only title game appearance came in 2020, reached the semifinals in 2023 and 2024 but lost both games.
"It's like a turning point," said sophomore Skylar Walden. "Winning a game up here means so much. This is our third year and we're finally getting it done."
Walden said she knew TKA was going to win at halftime. The Lions led 27-15, hardly out of range for a comeback, but their leading scorer sensed the momentum was on their side. To Walden, PCA (23-7) seemed devoid of energy, almost dead.
Part of that came down to how the first half ended. With seconds remaining, Walden drew a foul on a 3-point attempt and went 3-for-3 at the line. Those free throws — her first points of the game — were the catalysts for 21 more points in the second half.
They were hard-earned points, as Providence Christian tried to take away what Walden does best. PCA coach Tara James schemed to run Walden, who came into Thursday having hit 105 threes at nearly 40% for the season, off the 3-point line. PCA fought hard to get over screens and close the little pockets from which Walden could let it fly.
With her favorite shots guarded up, Walden simply decided not to attempt them. She finished with 24 points — eight above her season average — on 7-of-11 shooting, driving the lane with great success while only attempting two threes and not hitting her first until deep into the fourth quarter.
"I was trying not to force anything," Walden said. "If I can get a layup, they'll start crashing in and we can get other threes. I was just trying to take what they were giving me."
Wofford signee Brady Branam and Adit Koul worked off Walden's gravity and combined for 19 points, mostly in the paint, while TKA separated itself at the free throw line too. The Lions only committed six fouls as a team and went 15-of-20 from the foul line, while PCA made just one trip there for the game.
MORE: Colin Brown, Trey Thompson each score over 30 to lead Greeneville in Knoxville area top performers
Defending without fouling was an emphasis for Turnipseed, who wanted to speed up the game and take advantage of PCA miscues rather than selling out for steals. That strategy resulted in 19 turnovers, even as TKA wasn't necessarily trying to force them.
"I told them, 'Let's not try to foul them, let's try to run them to death,' " Turnipseed said. "... If they fumble it, then we can get it, but let's not foul and make them get easy points."
One month ago, the Lions were reeling, having lost their last two games in the District 1 tournament. Now, they're a win away from bringing a gold ball back to Seymour.
"The girls just bought in and said, 'Hey, this is not it,' Turnipseed said. "We put district behind us, and we don't look back in the rearview mirror."
Jacob Shames can be reached by email at jshames@gannett.com and on Twitter @Jacob_Shames.
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: TSSAA basketball tournament: The King's Academy in Division II-A state final
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Fox Sports
42 minutes ago
- Fox Sports
Top prospect Roman Anthony goes hitless with RBI groundout in MLB debut for the Red Sox
Associated Press BOSTON (AP) — Roman Anthony was in Worcester, waiting for the 275-mile bus ride that would take him to Allentown, Pennsylvania, for his next Triple-A game, when WooSox manager Chad Tracy told the team their departure would be delayed because someone might need to head an hour east to Boston instead. 'I didn't really think anything of it, to be honest,' Anthony told reporters in the Red Sox dugout at Fenway Park before making his major league debut in Boston's 10-8, 11-inning loss to Tampa Bay on Monday night. 'I was just kind of waiting around in the food room with a few of the guys, and then all of a sudden he came out and just said, 'Hey, you're going to the big leagues,'' Anthony said. 'From there on out it's kind of been a little bit of a blur. But it was amazing. You dream of that every single day. So, to finally hear it was definitely awesome.' Anthony, who played right field and batted fifth, received the biggest cheer of all during pregame introductions and then a standing ovation from the crowd of 31,422 when he came to bat in the second inning, with a runner on first and nobody out. He popped up to left field and got another cheer as he returned to the dugout. In the third, he may have been robbed of his first major league hit when he lined a ball up the middle that hit pitcher Shane Baz — at 111 mph. It deflected to the third baseman, who made the throw to first for the out. Anthony also struck out looking with runners on first and second in the third and walked in the seventh. In the ninth, with the crowd again on its feet, he came up with runners on second and third and hit a hard bouncer up the middle for an RBI groundout. He was due to lead off the 11th, but manager Alex Cora pinch-hit for him against left-hander Ian Seymour. 'It was nice to finally take the field, forget about all the outside noise and just be able to take the field with the guys," he told reporters afterward. "Unfortunate we couldn't get a win, but it was a good experience — good to just get the first one over with.' Anthony fielded two balls easily in right field — a pair of singles in the fourth inning — but in the fifth he let a rolling ball go under his glove for a two-base error that led to an unearned run, giving Tampa a 3-0 lead. 'It just can't happen,' he said. 'It's tough when you lose a game like that, you feel like that's the reason we lost — little things like that. Just got to learn from it and be better.' A 21-year-old second-round draft pick who went viral over the weekend when he hit a 497-foot grand slam in Worcester, Anthony was the top-rated prospect in the minors before his call-up. He batted .288 with 10 homers and 29 RBIs in 58 games in Triple-A this season. His accomplishments in the minors had Red Sox fans clamoring for his call-up, especially with the team languishing in fourth place in the AL East, 8 1/2 games behind the rival New York Yankees. But while fellow prospects Kristian Campbell and Marcelo Mayer got the call, the Red Sox remained patient on Anthony until an injury to Wilyer Abreu left them needing another outfielder. 'It's been a long time coming,' said Mayer, who was called up about two weeks ago. 'It's been talked about for a very long time, and it's kind of crazy that today's the day that we're all going to share the field together in the big leagues. I'm super excited. I think we have a really good team, and he's just another great addition to that.' Cora said he noticed something was wrong with Abreu after Sunday's game against the Yankees. When the team realized it would be more than a day or two, they decided to make the move and put Abreu on the 10-day injured list with a left oblique strain. The Red Sox made room for Anthony on the 40-man roster by designating first baseman/outfielder Ryan Noda for assignment. 'We're trying to win ballgames,' Cora said. 'The kid has done an amazing job getting ready for this moment. We're excited. It's a big day for the organization.' Anthony was perhaps known only to the most dedicated fans before his homer on Saturday that was the longest measured this year by Statcast, which tracks the major leagues, Triple-A and the Class A Florida State League. Since Statcast started tracking in the majors in 2015, only five home runs have gone farther, including Nomar Mazara's 505-foot shot in 2019 for the Rangers. After getting the promotion, Anthony had time to call his parents and siblings and an old baseball coach and gather most of his equipment — his own glove, a single bat and a borrowed pair of cleats — before driving down the MassPike to Boston. He arrived in Boston a few hours before game time and by 7:30 p.m. he was taking aim at the historic red seat that marks Ted Williams' 502-foot homer that is the longest ever at Fenway Park. 'It happened quick. I think no matter when that call comes, nobody's really expecting it," he said before the game. 'Obviously a little bit of a short notice. But, you know, better than being on the bus to Lehigh Valley right now.' ___ AP MLB: recommended
Fox Sports
an hour ago
- Fox Sports
Top prospect Roman Anthony made his MLB debut for the Red Sox. He was hitless with an RBI groundout
Associated Press BOSTON (AP) — Roman Anthony was in Worcester, waiting for the 275-mile bus ride that would take him to Allentown, Pennsylvania, for his next Triple-A game, when WooSox manager Chad Tracy told the team their departure would be delayed because someone might need to head an hour east to Boston instead. 'I didn't really think anything of it, to be honest,' Anthony told reporters in the Red Sox dugout at Fenway Park before making his major league debut for Boston against Tampa Bay on Monday night. 'I was just kind of waiting around in the food room with a few of the guys, and then all of a sudden he came out and just said, 'Hey, you're going to the big leagues,'' Anthony said. 'From there on out it's kind of been a little bit of a blur. But it was amazing. You dream of that every single day. So, to finally hear it was definitely awesome.' Anthony, who played right field and batted fifth, received the biggest cheer of all during pregame introductions and then a standing ovation from the crowd of 31,422 when he came to bat in the second inning, with a runner on first and nobody out. He popped up to left field and got another cheer as he returned to the dugout. In the third, he may have been robbed of his first major league hit when he lined a ball up the middle that hit pitcher Shane Baz — at 111 mph. It deflected to the third baseman, who made the throw to first for the out. Anthony also struck out looking with runners on first and second in the third and walked in the seventh. In the ninth, he came up with runners on second and third and hit a hard bouncer up the middle for an RBI groundout. Anthony fielded two balls easily in right field — a pair of singles in the fourth inning — but in the fifth he let a rolling ball go under his glove for a two-base error that led to an unearned run, giving Tampa a 3-0 lead. A 21-year-old second-round draft pick who went viral over the weekend when he hit a 497-foot grand slam in Worcester, Anthony was the top-rated prospect in the minors before his call-up. He batted .288 with 10 homers and 29 RBIs in 58 games in Triple-A this season. His accomplishments in the minors had Red Sox fans clamoring for his call-up, especially with the team languishing in fourth place in the AL East, 8 1/2 games behind the rival New York Yankees. But while fellow prospects Kristian Campbell and Marcelo Mayer got the call, the Red Sox remained patient on Anthony until an injury to Wilyer Abreu left them needing another outfielder. 'It's been a long time coming,' said Mayer, who was called up about two weeks ago. 'It's been talked about for a very long time, and it's kind of crazy that today's the day that we're all going to share the field together in the big leagues. I'm super excited. I think we have a really good team, and he's just another great addition to that.' Cora said he noticed something was wrong with Abreu after Sunday's game against the Yankees. When the team realized it would be more than a day or two, they decided to make the move and put Abreu on the 10-day injured list with a left oblique strain. The Red Sox made room for Anthony on the 40-man roster by designating first baseman/outfielder Ryan Noda for assignment. 'We're trying to win ballgames,' Cora said. 'The kid has done an amazing job getting ready for this moment. We're excited. It's a big day for the organization.' Anthony was perhaps known only to the most dedicated fans before his homer on Saturday that was the longest measured this year by Statcast, which tracks the major leagues, Triple-A and the Class A Florida State League. Since Statcast started tracking in the majors in 2015, only five home runs have gone farther, including Nomar Mazara's 505-foot shot in 2019 for the Rangers. After getting the promotion, Anthony had time to call his parents and siblings and an old baseball coach and gather most of his equipment — his own glove, a single bat and a borrowed pair of cleats — before driving down the MassPike to Boston. He arrived in Boston a few hours before game time and by 7:30 p.m. he was taking aim at the historic red seat that marks Ted Williams' 502-foot homer that is the longest ever at Fenway Park. 'It happened quick. I think no matter when that call comes, nobody's really expecting it," he said before the game. 'Obviously a little bit of a short notice. But, you know, better than being on the bus to Lehigh Valley right now.' ___ AP MLB: recommended
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
Billy Boston set to become rugby league's first knight in special investiture
Rugby league star Billy Boston is set to be knighted by the King at a Buckingham Palace investiture ceremony in a first for the sport. Boston, who scored 478 tries in 488 matches for Wigan after making the switch from rugby union to league in 1953, will formally receive the honour on Tuesday following a campaign to get the first knighthood recognition for the sport. The 90-year-old, who was born in Wales and has family links to Ireland and Sierra Leone, revealed in 2016 that he was living with vascular dementia. Boston's knighthood will be awarded before the latest round of honours has been publicly announced amid concerns for his health, it is understood. In 1954 he made history as the first non-white player to be selected for a Great Britain rugby league Lions tour, scoring 36 tries in 18 appearances around Australia and New Zealand, including a then-record four in one match against the Kiwis. He made two more Lions tours in 1958 and 1962 and ended with 24 tries in 31 Test appearances for Great Britain. Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said the first knighthood for a rugby league player was a 'long overdue recognition for a game that has contributed so much to our national life'. The Wigan MP added: 'Billy Boston's knighthood is a historic milestone, providing fitting recognition for the greatest player rugby league has ever seen. 'As MP for Wigan, this is a proud day for our town, for the Welsh nation, for rugby league fans across the country and, most importantly, for Billy and his family. 'I'd like to pay tribute to the RFL, the Rugby League APPG and all those who have campaigned for this moment – and to Billy himself whose extraordinary talent and remarkable achievements have inspired generations and will continue to do so for many years to come.' He has already been appointed an MBE, the third-highest ranking award within the Order of the British Empire. His wife, Joan Boston, said of the announcement: 'Billy's family are so proud of him and so excited that everything he's done for the sport and for our community is being recognised. He is a wonderful person who has always loved rugby league and all of the people involved in the sport. 'We were very moved to see local councillors, the MP and so many local people supporting the campaign to make this happen. I hope this inspires more young people to get involved in rugby league and to cheer on their players.' Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle was among those to campaign on the issue and said it was a 'major injustice' that no rugby league player had ever been knighted. Dame Jacqueline Wilson, Sir Sadiq Khan and Sir Loyd Grossman are among the other notable names set to be honoured at Buckingham Palace. Author Dame Jacqueline, 79, will be formally made a Dame Grand Cross for her services to literature on Tuesday. The former children's laureate is widely known as the creator of Tracy Beaker, as well as for other children's novels including Candyfloss and Double Act. Last year, Dame Jacqueline released her first adult novel since the 1970s as she returned to her beloved Girls series. The novel, Think Again, was nominated at this year's British Book Awards. Sir Sadiq, 54, will formally receive his knighthood for political and public service, having been the mayor of London since 2016. The Labour politician was re-elected as mayor of the capital in both 2021 and 2024, being the first London mayor to win a third term. Following the announcement of the knighthood in the New Year Honours list, Sir Sadiq said: 'I am truly humbled to have received a knighthood in the King's New Year Honours.' Sir Loyd, chairman of The Royal Parks, will formally receive his knighthood for services to heritage. The broadcaster and author, widely known for his range of cooking sauces, presented the BBC's MasterChef in the 1990s and ITV panel show Through The Keyhole with Sir David Frost from 1987 until 2003, inviting viewers into celebrity homes. Responding to the announcement of the knighthood, Sir Loyd, 74, previously said it was 'pretty amazing' and that he was 'delighted, surprised, thrilled, overwhelmed and excited'. Sir Loyd was awarded a knighthood having led the transition, as chairman of The Royal Parks, from a government agency through to its establishment as an independent charity. Labour politician Dame Emily Thornberry, MP for Islington South and Finsbury since 2005, will formally receive her damehood at the Buckingham Palace ceremony for political and public service. The chairwoman of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee, 64, has previously served on Labour's front bench in numerous roles including as shadow attorney general and shadow foreign secretary. Director general of MI5 Sir Kenneth McCallum will also formally receive his knighthood for public service. Sir Kenneth led MI5's strategic response to the 2017 terrorist attacks and to the 2018 attempted assassination of Sergei Skripal, being appointed director general of the domestic counter-intelligence and security agency in April 2020. The director general is the only avowed member of MI5, meaning they are the only member whose identity is publicly disclosed. The novelist Robert Harris, 68, will be formally made a CBE for services to literature at the ceremony. Harris is best known for his works of historical fiction, and his 2016 novel Conclave was adapted into a film starring Ralph Fiennes that was nominated for the best picture Oscar at this year's Academy Awards.
