How Tylan Lewis led Independence back into TSSAA boys basketball state tournament
THOMPSON'S STATION – Tylan Lewis only had one thought as he received the ball on the three-point line with nothing but hardwood separating him and the rim.
Lewis took two quick dribbles before rising into the air and slamming the ball with both hands, letting out a celebratory roar as he extended Independence's lead to four points late in the fourth quarter of a TSSAA boys basketball Class 4A sectional against Beech.
Independence (23-12) trailed by nine entering the final eight minutes, but a late fourth quarter comeback spearheaded by Lewis and Dawsyn Miller secured the Eagles a 43-36 win and a trip to the TSSAA boys basketball state tournament for the third straight season. Miller led the Eagles with 18 points while Lewis added 13.
Independence will play Whitehaven (31-3) in the first round of the TSSAA boys basketball state tournament at 8:45 p.m. on Thursday, March 20 at MTSU's Murphy Center.
MORE: TSSAA girls basketball state tournament brackets, schedule, scores for 2025 championships
'It feels the same as the last two years, just amazing,' Miller said. 'This one maybe means a little bit more to me being a bigger player on this team, but it's an amazing feeling. Always is.'
There were hints of deja vu for many of Independence's seniors, after knocking out Beech in the sectional round of last season's TSSAA basketball playoffs en route to the Class 4A state title. While many key pieces from last season's run returned this year, the team has an entirely new identity.
Last season the Eagles could go bucket-for-bucket with any team in the state, but this season defense has been Independence's calling card, as the Eagles have held opponents to an average of 31.3 points since the start of the region tournament.
VOTE: TSSAA Mr. Basketball nominees battling for Ponce Law Nashville area boys athlete of week award
"We're going to hold teams under 50, we know that," Miller said. "If you're not going to score more than that on us, you're not going to beat us, and that's been our identity, defense."
With the joy of a state championship victory still fresh entering the season, the team needed no added motivation to secure a third straight trip to Murfreesboro. But many Eagles found additional fuel from their doubters.
"People in our district would doubt us a lot, just kind of look at us as an easy game, but we came into practice with a chip on our shoulder, knowing that we had to beat some tough teams this year to get back," Lewis said. "I think that really helped us to be honest."
There'll be few doubters left after Monday's win as the defending 4A champs seek a third straight appearance in the state championship game.
Harrison Campbell covers high school sports for The Daily Herald and The Tennessean. Email him at hcampbell@gannett.com and follow him on X (formerly Twitter) @hccamp.
This article originally appeared on The Daily Herald: Independence returns to TSSAA boys basketball state tournament
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Yahoo
Analysts Debate Buying Or Selling Chiefs Super Bowl Stock
Analysts Debate Buying Or Selling Chiefs Super Bowl Stock originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Kansas City Chiefs have lost significant support following their Super Bowl loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, with some believing the era of dominance is over. Advertisement But some forget that Kansas City still won 15 regular-season games and claimed the AFC. That is nothing to sneeze at. Still, many are selling their Chiefs stock in 2025 in favor of the Buffalo Bills or Baltimore Ravens, two teams Patrick Mahomes and Co. have regularly beaten in the playoffs. But one person who isn't selling is NFL Network's Kyle Brandt, who thinks the Chiefs will come roaring back this season. "We look at the Chiefs now as all of a sudden their stock is dropped or something because they got slapped around in the Super Bowl," Brandt said. "That was an all-time Eagles team, and I don't take anything away from the Chiefs." Advertisement "I look at the Chiefs last year, I think it was the weakest team of the Mahomes era and the most vulnerable team, and they won 15 games and had a bye. That we've seen it was like that was the year to get them, that was the year to take them out. Next year, I think they'll be better than they were this year." Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15).Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images With what is hoped to be a better offensive line, a healthy Rashee Rice, having Marquise Brown for a full season, not to mention the continued improvement from Xavier Worthy and Travis Kelce, who is coming off a down season, the Chiefs have ample room for improvement. Yes, the shine has come off their aura somewhat, but let's not forget that just one game of football ago, this team was seen as potentially one of the greatest of all time. Advertisement The analysts' debate aside ... That doesn't go away after one loss, does it? Kansas City will have to do something it hasn't had to do too often under Mahomes, and that's prove people wrong. For so long the NFL's dominant force, one poor loss has seemingly taken away all of the credits Kansas City had built up over the past three seasons. Let the redemption story begin. Related: It's Chiefs vs. Bills In Top-Ranked Rivalry Game In 2025 Related: Trent McDuffie Labeled Top 3 Corner in NFL This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 3, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Yahoo
Eagles' Jalen Hurts Shines Through Voluntary Workouts
Eagles' Jalen Hurts Shines Through Voluntary Workouts originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Fresh off a Super Bowl MVP effort for the Philadelphia Eagles, Jalen Hurts has already accomplished in four seasons what Hall-of-Fame quarterbacks have failed to do throughout their careers. Advertisement The next step for Hurts, is to dominate on the stat sheet - not just in the win column. Through the first month of workouts at the NovaCare Complex, it seems that is precisely what Hurts is set on doing. Via multiple reports out of Philadelphia, Hurts has been fantastic in team drills. His accuracy has improved leaps and bounds, and his decision-making remains as strong as ever. "Jalen Hurts, what he's become as a quarterback I think really shows off in practice," WIP reporter Elliot Schorr-Parks said on Friday. "There is such a difference between what he was when I used to watch him practice even two years ago, three years ago than what he is now. Advertisement "You can just see the veteran quarterback player that he has become. The ball just never hits the ground, it never hits the ground when Jalen is quarterbacking now in practice." The reporter made a comparison, in terms of pinpoint accuracy, to Tom Brady. And that's where we must tap the brakes here. As always, it is important to take workout numbers with a grain of salt. Before Hurts' MVP-caliber season in 2022, he struggled for multiple practices at the start of the season. That year turned out to be OK. Coming off a Super Bowl win, though, changes the narrative with Hurts. He already has shown an ability to play (and win) at the highest level. That brings a feel of confidence that few players have in the league today. Advertisement Does that make him Brady? Nah. But … Confidence is among the reasons why Hurts seems to just be getting started with the Eagles offense. Related: Eagles Running Game Plan Takes New Shape In Roster Move Related: Eagles Need 'Now or Never' Approach From Kelee Ringo This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 7, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Yahoo
Saquon Barkley's Madden Cover Sparks Malik Nabers Conversation
Saquon Barkley's Madden Cover Sparks Malik Nabers Conversation originally appeared on Athlon Sports. In the 15 months since running back Saquon Barkley left the New York Giants for the Philadelphia Eagles, the losses have continued to mount. Advertisement He quickly set the league ablaze with the help of an elite offensive line, trampling the Giants for 176 yards and a score in his return to East Rutherford. Barkley then joined the 2,000-yard club, had a historic playoff run, and ultimately won the Super Bowl. New York won three games. Oh, and he pulled off the most famous highlight of the season, reverse hurdling over Jacksonville Jaguars corner Jarrian Jones. That play landed him on the cover of Madden NFL 26, with the game recreating the jump heard around the (football) world. "When you get the call, you don't know what to expect, right? And they ask you, 'Do you want to be part of the Madden cover?' I don't know if anyone's turned that down," Barkley said Monday, via "I definitely wasn't gonna turn that down, the opportunity. I know so many people, so many kids that dream and would love to be in the position I am right now. I remember as a kid wanting to be part of the Madden cover. There have been so many players that have been part of the Madden cover. Now to be mentioned and have my name attached with those guys, words really can't describe it." Advertisement Barkley's Madden cover sparked Giants fans' imagination, too, as they wondered when their favorite team would return to EA Sports' spotlight. The obvious answer, of course, is receiver Malik Nabers. A 2024 first-round pick, Nabers entered the league with plenty of fanfare, then took the sport's biggest market by storm. It took him a month to prove himself worthy of elite consideration, logging two 100-yard games. Nabers is New York's best offensive player, a highlight machine, and incredibly marketable. With better quarterback play on the way, it's easy to see him going nuclear and forcing himself into that conversation in a year's time. Nabers would be the first Giants star to grace the cover since receiver Odell Beckham Jr., whose one-handed catch thrust him into a different stratosphere of fame. An LSU product with unlimited athleticism and the production to match, he shares a similar story to Nabers. The New York faithful hope their newest offensive phenom (or his rookie quarterback) can reach those same heights. Advertisement For now, they'll have to see Barkley on the cover each time they log on. "I'm grateful to my teammates, coaches, and Eagles fans for their support," Barkley said in a statement. "And I can't wait to hit the field again to give Madden players more highlight-reel moments in Madden NFL 26." Related: Joe Schoen's Giants Returning to 'Hard Knocks' Related: NFC East Running Back Rankings: Where Do Giants Land? This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 7, 2025, where it first appeared.
