NET boys region preview: D-B, Science Hill might be on collision course again

Could Northeast Tennessee boys basketball experience 2023 all over again, as in five teams clinching a trip to the TSSAA state tournament? Scoff at the idea all you want. But the odds seemed to improve with this week's district championship results. Hey, we might even get a Region 1-4A semifinal rematch between Dobyns-Bennett and Science Hill if both teams take care of their business Saturday night. Can't look that far ahead this time of year. The old "one game at a time" adage rings true this time of year more than any other. Dobyns-Bennett's region quarterfinal opponent, Sevier County, finished second in the District 2-4A standings but suffered upset losses to Jefferson County and William Blount in the district tournament. And the teams have quite the region tournament history, most recently in 2023 when D-B beat the Smoky Bears 62-52 for the Region 1-4A title en route to Murfreesboro. Science Hill and Jefferson County split their two meetings this year, each team winning at home. And the Hilltoppers played Dobyns-Bennett to a 52-50 score during the district semifinals, so motivation shouldn't be a problem for either team. West Ridge has its work cut out with a region quarterfinal trip to Maryville, a 27-3 team coming off back-to-back state tournament berths. The Wolves are seeking their inaugural region tournament win since opening for the 2021-22 season. The winner of that game faces either Morristown West or William Blount in the region semifinals at Sevier County. Region 1-3A A storm is brewing in Elizabethton, the Cyclones having stunned Tennessee High for their first district title in seven years. Now, the District 1-3A champs look to finish above .500 overall and advance in the region tournament for the first time since 2022 as they welcome Grainger to John Treadway Gymnasium on Saturday. The suddenly red-hot Greeneville Greene Devils entertain David Crockett. Believe it or not, the teams haven't met since January 2019, when Crockett coach Sam Tarlton was in his second year coaching at North Greene. The winner gets either Elizabethton or Grainger in the region semifinals at the Grizzly Den. On the other side, District 2-3A champion Volunteer is looking for a repeat of 2023 itself, the year of its inaugural state tournament trip. Volunteer holds a 2-1 season lead over Daniel Boone, its region quarterfinal opponent. The Trailblazers have already doubled last year's win total under first-year coach Cody Connell. Tennessee High, the outright regular season champion of District 1-3A, welcomes a dangerous Cherokee team to Viking Hall for the chance to face the Boone-Volunteer winner. Region 1-2A Class 2A Mr. Basketball finalist Jackson Simmons already has one state tournament trip under his belt. The Blue Devils' all-time leading scorer looks to make it two, coincidentally on the 40-year anniversary of Unicoi County's 1986 run to the big dance. The journey begins Saturday against Pigeon Forge, the winner facing either West Greene or Cumberland Gap in the semifinals at Gatlinburg-Pittman. Speaking of G-P, the Highlanders are undefeated against 2A teams this year. They'll face Chuckey-Doak on Saturday, and then the winner of South Greene-Eagleton Academy in the semis before Thursday's championship. Region 1-1A Will Unaka and Hampton meet again for the region title? The Rangers earned a quarterfinal bye with their district tournament upset win over Hampton, and they'll face Cosby or North Greene in the semifinal round at Washburn. As for Hampton, a team plagued by illness recently, the Bulldogs welcome Washburn for the quarterfinals and will face the University High-Hancock County winner in Tuesday's semifinals. Hancocok County topped Cosby 67-55 for the District 2-1A crown. Region 1-4A Tournament (Top 2 teams advance to sectional) Saturday, February 28 Quarterfinals Game 1 — D2-4 Sevier County at D1-1 Dobyns-Bennett Game 2 — D1-3 Science Hill at D2-2 Jefferson County Game 3 — D1-4 West Ridge at D2-1 Maryville Game 4 — D2-3 William Blount at D1-2 Morristown West At Sevier County HS, Sevierville Tuesday, March 3 Semifinals Game 5 — Game 1 winner vs. Game 2 winner Game 6 — Game 3 winner vs. Game 4 winner Thursday, March 5 Championship Game 7 — Semifinals winners Region 1-3A Tournament (Top 2 teams advance to sectional) Saturday, February 28 Quarterfinals Game 1 — D2-4 Grainger at D1-1 Elizabethton Game 2 — D1-3 David Crockett at D2-2 Greeneville Game 3 — D1-4 Daniel Boone at D2-1 Volunteer Game 4 — D2-3 Cherokee at D1-2 Tennessee High At Grainger HS, Rutledge Tuesday, March 3 Semifinals Game 5 — Game 1 winner vs. Game 2 winner Game 6 — Game 3 winner vs. Game 4 winner Thursday, March 5 Championship Game 7 — Semifinals winners Region 1-2A Tournament (Top 2 teams advance to sectional) Saturday, February 28 Quarterfinals Game 1 — D2-4 Pigeon Forge at D1-1 Unicoi County Game 2 — D1-3 West Greene at D2-2 Cumberland Gap Game 3 — D1-4 Chuckey-Doak at D2-1 Gatlinburg-Pittman Game 4 — D2-3 Eagleton Academy at D1-2 South Greene At Gatlinburg-Pittman HS, Gatlinburg Tuesday, March 3 Semifinals Game 5 — Game 1 winner vs. Game 2 winner Game 6 — Game 3 winner vs. Game 4 winner Thursday, March 5 Championship Game 7 — Semifinals winners Region 1-1A Tournament (Top 2 teams advance to sectional) Saturday, February 28 Quarterfinals Game 1 — D1-3 North Greene at D2-2 Cosby Game 2 — D1-4 University High at D2-1 Hancock County Game 3 — D2-3 Washburn at D1-2 Hampton At Washburn HS, Washburn Tuesday, March 3 Semifinals Game 4 — Game 1 winner vs. D1-1 Unaka Game 5 — Game 2 winner vs. Game 3 winner Thursday, March 5 Championship Game 6 — Semifinal winners