News

The Hub City could soon be known as Title Town for high school hoops as three high schools in the Jackson-Madison County School System have punched their tickets to the 2025 BlueCross Basketball State Championships in Murfreesboro. The South Side High School girls and boys basketball teams, along with the Jackson Central-Merry (JCM) boys team, have secured spots in their respective classifications. All three teams secured their state tournament berths by hosting and winning their substate games in front of their home crowds, a factor that coaches and administrators say played a critical role in their success.

The South Side Lady Hawks will make their fourth consecutive appearance in the state tournament and will face Northview Academy in the quarterfinals on Thursday, March 13, at 2:15 PM. Under the leadership of Coach Brent McNeal, this marks the program’s fifth state tournament trip. The Lady Hawks, who finished as runners-up in 2022, captured the state championship in 2023and are eager to add another title to their legacy.

The JCM Cougars, led by Coach Kendall Dancy, will open Class 2A state tournament play against Jackson County on Wednesday, March 19, at 8:45 PM. This marks a historic milestone for the Cougars as they make their first-ever appearance in the state tournament. Coach Dancy, a state champion coach at Haywood High School in 2015, has provided valuable guidance and accountability to the program and has led the team’s resurgence. Rounding out the trio, the South Side Hawks boys basketball team will take on Tullahoma in the Class 3A quarterfinals on Thursday, March 20, at 12:45 PM. This marks the ninth state tournament appearance for the Hawks and the eighth under Coach Damonn Fuller, who in his 23rd year as coach is among the most tenured and successful coaches in the state. The Hawks have previously secured four silver place finishes and a state championship gold ball finish in 2014, and they are determined to bring home another title this year. This is the second time in four years the district has sent three teams to the state tournament. The North Side boys joined the Hawks and Lady Hawks at the state tournament level in2022. Add Madison Academic’s 2021 appearance in the Class A boys basketball state tournament and South Side state appearance that same year, and the level of success districtwide in a short amount of time becomes apparent.

“These teams are battle-tested, and the support from our community has been incredible,” said Superintendent Dr. Marlon King. “When I arrived in 2020, we committed to invest in athletics, and the results speak for themselves. We are proud of our student-athletes and coaches, and we’re excited about the momentum we’re building across all extracurricular activities.”

JCM Principal Ramonica Dorsey echoed that sentiment, emphasizing the significance of the Cougars’ first state tournament appearance. “This is a proud moment for our school, our alumni, and our students. The dedication of Coach Dancy and his staff has been remarkable, and we are excited to see them compete at the highest level.”

South Side Principal Shari Baldwin also praised the dedication of the players and coaches. “The tradition at South Side speaks for itself. To have both our girls and boys programs in Murfreesboro again is a reflection of the hard work put in year round by these athletes and their coaches.

”Coach Brent McNeal highlighted the Lady Hawks’ determination. “This group is special. They’ve fought through adversity andhave remained focused on their goal. The state tournament experience never gets old, and we’re ready to compete.”

With district-wide initiatives expanding extracurricular opportunities, including elementary futsal, Esports, robotics, girls flag football , and more, the future of Jackson-Madison County athletics looks brighter than ever. As the community rallies behind these teams, all eyes will be on Murfreesboro, where the Lady Hawks, Hawks, and Cougars will seek to make history on the state’s biggest stage.