HERMITAGE, Tenn. (WGNS) — The prestigious pursuit of Tennessee’s most coveted high school basketball honors is nearing its conclusion, with several local stars leading the charge. The Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association (TSSAA) has officially named the finalists for the 2025-2026 Mr. and Miss Basketball Awards, featuring a strong contingent of student-athletes from Providence Christian Academy (PCA), Middle Tennessee Christian School (MTCS), and Eagleville School.
The winners across all six classifications will be unveiled at the Tucker Theater, located on the Middle Tennessee State University campus. The public is invited to attend the ceremony, which is set to begin at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 10.
Local Excellence on Display
This year's list of finalists highlights the depth of talent within the Rutherford County area. In the Division II-A Miss Basketball category, two of the three statewide finalists hail from Murfreesboro. Kayte Madison Bjornstad of PCA and Jules Ferrell of MTCS have both been recognized for their exceptional seasons.
The honors extend to the boys' divisions as well. Christopher Washington, Jr. of PCA has secured a spot as a finalist for Division II-A Mr. Basketball, while Eagleville’s Camden Cole represents the Eagles as a finalist in the Class 1A Mr. Basketball category.
A Legacy of Achievement
Now in its 41st year, the Mr. and Miss Basketball Awards have served as the gold standard for high school hoops in Tennessee since 1986. While the presentation format has evolved over the decades—once sponsored by American General and later the Memphis Grizzlies—the prestige remains unchanged.
Selection is determined by a statewide committee of sportswriters who evaluate performance throughout the regular season. However, the criteria extend beyond the court, as the committee also prioritizes academic success and personal character when reviewing nominations submitted by coaches and media members.
2025-2026 Finalists by Classification
Division II-A Miss Basketball
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Haylen Ayers, University School of Jackson
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Kayte Madison Bjornstad, Providence Christian Academy
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Jules Ferrell, Middle Tennessee Christian School
Division II-AA Miss Basketball
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Meeyah Green, Webb School of Knoxville
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Ava Jarrett, Lipscomb Academy
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Ava Jones, Hutchison School
Class 1A Miss Basketball
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Laila Downs-Darden, McEwen High School
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Rayanna Fisher, Greenfield High School
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Zoey Nicholas, Pickett County High School
Class 2A Miss Basketball
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Maliyah Glasper, Gatlinburg-Pittman High School
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Wylie Kee, Huntingdon High School
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Kaegan Young, Cascade High School
Class 3A Miss Basketball
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Andrea Flores, Daniel Boone High School
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Chelby Jordan, Dyersburg High School
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Sydney Wilhite, Cumberland County High School
Class 4A Miss Basketball
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Cecilie Brandimore, Franklin High School
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Kimora Fields, Bradley Central High School
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Natalya Hodge, Bearden High School
Division II-A Mr. Basketball
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Lawson Lee, Battle Ground Academy
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Segond Sompa, Grace Christian Academy
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Christopher Washington, Jr., Providence Christian Academy
Division II-AA Mr. Basketball
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Cade Murphy, Knoxville Catholic High School
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Trey Pearson, Pope Saint John Paul II Preparatory School
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Fred Smith, Jr., Briarcrest Christian School
Class 1A Mr. Basketball
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Camden Cole, Eagleville High School
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Will McCrary, Jackson County High School
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Darion Taylor, Humboldt High School
Class 2A Mr. Basketball
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Jayden Barton, Gatlinburg-Pittman High School
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Derrick Roberson, Chattanooga Preparatory School
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Jackson Simmons, Unicoi County High School
Class 3A Mr. Basketball
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Ty Cobb, Upperman High School
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Nick Steen, Fulton High School
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Markylon Terry, Fayette-Ware Comprehensive High School
Class 4A Mr. Basketball
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Justin Frison, Houston High School
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DJ Okoth, Bartlett High School
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Cutter Sisk, Beech Senior High School
