Sports

Austin O’Dell catches a pass during an offensive series when the Blue Devils competed at Elizabethton in 7-on-7 competition. (Erwin Record Staff Photo by Keeli Parkey)

By Keeli Parkey

With just over four weeks remaining until the 2018 high school football season kicks off, the Unicoi County High School football team is ramping up its preparations.

Last week, the Blue Devils, under the direction of head coach Drew Rice, competed in two 7-on-7 passing competitions – one at Sullivan North and one at Elizabethton.

“On July 10, we competed with Sullivan South, Sullivan North, Daniel Boone, Trinity Christian and Unaka,” Rice said. “On July 12, we competed with Dobyns Bennett, Elizabethton, David Crockett, Volunteer and Happy Valley.”

As with all preseason preparations, last week showed Rice and his coaching staff where the Blue Devils need to improve.

“At Sullivan North on Tuesday I think we identified some things we needed to get ironed out in our secondary,” Rice said. “We had a couple things that we didn’t like coverage wise and also some guys we were evaluating at different positions. I thought we still showed glimpses of what we can do on both sides of the ball.”

Last week also put the Blue Devils’ strengths on display.

“At Elizabethton on Thursday I thought we looked much better against tougher competition,” Rice said. “So, we really felt good about our showing there. I thought our safeties did a better job of keeping everything in front of them and I thought our offense really started clicking. (Quarterback) Brock Thompson really threw it well Thursday night and so did Robbie O’Dell who we just moved to quarterback this spring. Brett Strother and Austin O’Dell raked in a bunch of catches in just an hour and a half of work.”

Beginning Monday, the Blue Devils were able to put on shoulder pads for the first time.

“We will practice in helmets and shoulder pads all week,” Rice said. “We will really start to focus on our run game this week with our offensive and defensive lines. The following week, we will put on full pads and scrimmage Volunteer on Friday, July 27, at the track. The season is coming in a hurry and we are very excited about the opportunity we have.”

11-12 Year-Old Baseball All-Stars – Pictured from left, back row, coach Paul Green, coach Daniel Engle and coach Jonathan Tipton; middle row, Nicky Satterly, Chris Chavez, Ty Engle, Alex Green, Logan Groom, Chris Rice and Gavin Tipton; front row, Dylan Cerezo, Keilet Rodriguez, Jordan Grindstaff, Matthew Whitson and Eli Tipton; not pictured, Gage Casey. (Contributed photo)

By Keeli Parkey

Three Unicoi County teams represented their community in all-star tournaments last week.

The 11-12 year-old softball all-stars opened their tournament at Daniel Boone on July 2 with an 18-8 victory over Bristol.

The team dropped into the losers’ bracket with a 15-0 loss to the host squad on July 4. They were eliminated from the tournament on July 5 with a 14-4 loss to Bluff City, according to coach Jessica Banner.

• • •

The 11-12 year-old baseball all-stars won their opening game in Bristol with an 8-4 victory over Johnson County on July 7.

These Blue Devils found themselves on the losing end of a close 4-1 game with Johnson City American on July 9, according to coach Paul Green. This loss sent them to the losers’ bracket where they played Bristol on Tuesday, July 10, after The Erwin Record’s press deadline for this issue.

• • •

The 6-8 year-old softball all-star team defeated Jonesborough, 10-8, in Bristol on July 7.

The Lady Devils lost to Bristol, 12-4, on July 9. They were also playing in the losers’ bracket on Tuesday, after the press deadline for this issue.

• • •

Unicoi County’s other all-star teams – 8-10 year-old baseball and softball and the 6-8 year-old baseball squads – were previously eliminated from tournament play.

6-8 Year-Old Baseball All-Stars – Pictured from left, back row, coach Allen Patten, coach Ryan Masters, coach Seth Whitson and coach Aaron Toney; middle row, Braden Honeycutt, Noah English, Michael Hampton, Mason Higgins, Ty Toney and Owen Masters; front row, Mason Blackburn, Reed Carroll, Blake Bennett, Mason Wright, Draven River and Gabe Patten. (Contributed photo)

From Staff Reports

With the heat of summer comes all-star tournament play for the teams of the Unicoi County Little League. Below is information about each team.

6-8 Year-Old Baseball

This squad is coached by Seth Whitson, Allen Patten, Ryan Masters and Aaron Toney.

Their tournament play included a loss to Jonesborough in Johnson County on June 23.

6-8 Year-Old Softball

This team, coached by Lisa Baxter, will play its first game on Saturday, July 7, against Jonesborough. The game is scheduled to begn at 12:30 p.m. at Bristol Western Little League.

8-10 Year-Old Baseball

This squad was coached by Chris Bogart, Ben Evely and Chris Hatcher.

Following their 13-0 victory over Bluff City on June 16 at Bristol Little League, these Blue Devils lost to Johnson City National Little League, 17-7, on June 18.

This loss sent them to the losers’ bracket where they were defeated by Johnson City American Little League, 11-0, and eliminated from tournament play.

8-10 Year-Old Softball

Coached by Terry Higgins, Shane Hummer, Daniel Engle, Aaron Toney and Tanya Chavez, these Lady Devils defeated Bluff City, 17-1, in their first tournament game at Daniel Boone.

A 15-6 loss to Boone sent the team to the losers’ bracket. There, they defeated Bluff City, 15-0, and Jonesborough, 11-0, to make it to the championship round.

In that round, the Lady Devils were defeated by Boone again, this time 11-1. This loss eliminated the team from tournament play.

11-12 Year-Old Baseball

This squad, coached by Paul Green, will open its tournament on Saturday, July 7, at 7:30 p.m. at Holston View Elementary near King College in Bristol.

11-12 Year-Old 

Softball

Led by coach Jessica Banner, this team defeated Bristol, 18-8, on Monday, July 2.

Their next game will be on Wednesday, July 4, at 6 p.m.

Participants in the June 16 triathlon held at the Unicoi County Family YMCA gather for a photo after the competition. The race included a swim in the YMCA pool, a bicycle ride and 2.1-mile run. (Contributed photo)

By Keeli Parkey

The Unicoi County Family YMCA wants the people in the community it serves to be active. In order to promote this mission, the Erwin facility hosts a variety of events – the most recent being a triathlon held on Saturday, June 16.

The race, which was the fourth of its kind hosted by the local YMCA, combined swimming, bicycling and running into one event.

“I have always wanted to have some triathlons in Erwin, so when I became the CEO of the YMCA I felt like it was a good time to start them here,” Frank Cooke told The Erwin Record. “I organized several in South Carolina when I lived there and everybody that participated in them enjoyed them.”

The competitors began the race with a quarter-mile swim in the YMCA pool. Once that segment of the race was completed, racers jumped on their bicycles for an 8.2-mile ride. Cooke said the course for the bicycle ride traveled down Ohio Avenue to Sandy Bottom, traveled around Sandy Bottom, across Temple Hill Road and down to Chestoa Bridge. The bike ride continued up Chestoa Pike to Jackson-Love, Mohawk Drive and Gay Street before returning to their starting point at the YMCA.

The final leg of the race was a 2.1-mile run that took the competitors down Love Street and through downtown Erwin on Main Street before circling back to the YMCA via Elm Avenue and Gay Street.

“The run and the bike distances were based on what we could do here in Erwin, without making it very confusing,” Cooke said.

A total of 24 competitors have competed in the four races hosted by the Unicoi County Family YMCA.

“Many have run in multiple races,” Cooke said. “We need more competitors for future events since the Town of Erwin has passed a requirement that we have at least 30 people in each event.”

Hosting the triathlon is just one way the YMCA hopes to inspire locals to workout and be healthy.

“Our goal with the triathlons, as well as everything we do, is to get people active,” Cooke said. “We try to give children and adults options of fun things to do to help motivate them to get in shape. We also want to bring in people from outside Unicoi County so they can see the beautiful place that we live in and hopefully get them to spend some money in the county.”

One of the people drawn to Erwin for Saturday’s race was Chad Green, a Bristol resident who has participated in all four races hosted by the local YMCA and was the winner of Saturday’s men’s race. The women’s winner was Kelly Mitchell.

“This is a well-organized race,” Green said. “You can tell Frank Cooke takes a lot of pride in the race. He does a great job of getting a group of volunteers for it, making sure everything is laid out clearly and that everyone understands the basics of the course. They do a really good job at that Y.”

Green said he hopes more people will participate in the events hosted by the Unicoi County Family YMCA.

“It is such a well-organized and planned out event that I think people would really enjoy it,” he added. “I hope we can spread the word about it to get more involvement. You can tell Frank and the Y have put a lot into this and it shows.”

• • •

The Unicoi County Family YMCA will host another triathlon on Aug. 11 beginning at 8 a.m. A children’s triathlon will also be held on that day beginning at 10 a.m. Children who are entering first grade through fifth grade are invited to compete in the triathlon.

Also on Aug. 11, the YMCA will host a “mommy or daddy and me” event for younger children.

“The event will be a swim across the shallow end of the pool and back, ride a bike for one mile from the Y to the hospital and back and then run two laps on our track (0.4 miles),” Cooke said. “The ‘mommy or daddy and me’ event will have a parent or guardian with the child at all times.”

For more information, call the YMCA at 743-3361.

Family, friends and coaches celebrated with Madison Harris, seated second from left, as she signed with the Milligan College cheerleading squad. (Erwin Record Staff Photo by Keeli Parkey)

From Staff Reports

For her college career, a Unicoi County High School cheerleader will be trading her blue and white for orange and black.

Madison Harris, who graduated from UCHS last month, signed with the Milligan College Buffaloes cheerleading squad during a ceremony on Thursday, June 14.

“I am extremely excited to be a part of this program,” Harris told The Erwin Record. “It has always been a dream to cheer in college and I am finally here.”

Teresa Parkey, head cheer coach at UCHS, extended her congratulations to Harris.

“I am very happy for Madison,” Parkey said. “She worked hard as a high school cheerleader and she is a great addition to Milligan’s program. They are very lucky to have her.”

Her road to Milligan began about a month ago when she spoke with Milligan cheer coach Chelsea Woodacre.

“She showed much interest in my skills and later informed me she was eager to give me a tryout and hopefully, later on, an offer,” Harris said.

Harris said she decided to attend Milligan College for several reasons.

“I looked at a few schools before Milligan,” she added. “It started off with Clemson, next UT, and then ETSU. Lastly, I chose Milligan. It really stood out to me in ways that no other school did. Milligan showed such interest in me, made sure I knew I would be known as myself and not just a number, and made me feel like my presence at their school was greatly appreciated. That is why I set my heart on Milligan.”

Harris said she is excited for her freshman year with the Buffaloes.

“I believe I am bringing the program a passion for cheer and a drive that will always push me to be the best I can always be,” she added. “I believe I will make my team and school very proud. … I am looking forward to spending my first cheer season in college getting closer to the other cheerleaders and dancers on my team, cheering on the buffs and praising our King while I do so.”

Harris gave credit to her coaches and family for their help on her way to college.

“I would like to thank all of my coaches I have had from EJAA all through high school and especially my family for making me set goals and pushing me to limits that helped make this signing possible,” she said.

Madison is the daughter of Frankie and Teresa Harris.

For the fourth consecutive season, the Lady Devils’ 4×800-meter relay team won the Three Rivers Conference title. The 2018 team includes, pictured from left, Megan Todd, Jillian Taylor, Kaitlyn Tilson and Valeria Ponce. (Photo contributed by Daniela Martinez)

By Keeli Parkey

They ran. They threw. They jumped. They had success.

Several Unicoi County High School track and field athletes won or placed in their respective events during the 2018 Three Rivers Conference meet held at Elizabethton High School on Monday, May 7.

“This meet is a very important day for us, not only to try to claim conference bragging rights, but also to have a final opportunity for our athletes to qualify for the Large Schools Sectionals,” head coach Megan Davis told The Erwin Record.

Among the notable results was a first-place finish by the Lady Devils’ 4×800-meter relay team. This was the fourth consecutive year that a UCHS team has won this event at the conference meet. Running in the event on Monday were Valeria Ponce, Kaitlyn Tilson, Jillian Taylor and Megan Todd.

“I am so incredibly proud of our 4×800 team,” Davis said. “They have worked many years to get to where they are. Their leadership has been seen throughout the entire team and has helped pass the reins over to Valeria, the lone freshman on the relay.”

Blue Devil Kody Lewis turned in a first-place finish in the 200-meter and a second-place finish in the 100-meter.

“Kody stood out big tonight,” Davis said. “He made a name for himself as a new runner in the conference.”

Lady Devil Halie Hawkins took first place in the pole vault.

“Halie is really vaulting well,” Davis said.

Other notable results for the UCHS program at the conference meet included: Kenny Perciful, second in shot put, fourth in discus; Roby Lemmon, sixth in shot put; Megan Todd, second in 3200-meter, third in 1600-meter; Cheyenne Wilson, sixth in 1600-meter; John Campbell, sixth in 1600-meter; Jillian Taylor, sixth in 400-meter; Alexis Harvey and Alex Carter, tied for second place in pole vault; Rachel Altemose, fourth in pole vault; Jadyn Peterson, sixth in pole vault; Sabrina Todd third in 3200-meter; and Kayla Hicks, sixth in 200-meter.

“I couldn’t be more proud of all the performances tonight,” Davis said on Monday. “For many it was their last meet of the season and for some of our seniors this was their last meet for their high school career and they gave it their all. Others knew they still had sectionals on Friday (May 11), yet their performances still left everything out there. They all had one goal in mind and that showed in the results tonight.”

• • •

The Blue Devils and Lady Devils wrapped up the regular season last week with a meet at Science Hill on May 1 and an invitational meet at Dobyns-Bennett on May 4.

Results on May 1 included: Perciful, first place in discus and shot; Lemmon, second place in discus and shot; Lewis, first in 100-meter and 200-meter; Campbell, second place in steeplechase; Natalia Mendoza, second in discus; M. Todd, third in 1600-meter; and Taylor, fourth in 400-meter.

On Friday, May 4, Lewis and Hawkins represented UCHS at the Ballad Health Tri-Cities Relays (formerly the Times News/Tri-Cities Relays) in Kingsport.

“A few UCHS athletes were invited to compete in this prestigious ‘area best’ meet at Dobyns-Bennett,” Davis said. “In order to compete in this meet, athletes must be one of the top 9 competitors in the Tri-Cities area in their event. This not only allows athletes another opportunity to qualify for sectionals, but it’s also a night of bragging rights.”

Hawkins took second place in the pole vault at the event while jumping 10 feet – a personal best and a new school record.

“This was a big night for her to get to feel a whole new level of vaulting,” Davis said. “We are excited to see where this carries her for sectionals.”

Lewis earned fifth place in the 100-meter and ran a new personal best of 11.42.

“Kody has been running very well for us and we are still seeing significant drops in his time as we are just now hitting his optimal training level,” Davis said. “The competition Kody and Halie saw today is the competition they will see on May 12. This night was great for their own successes and good for us coaches to see what we need to prepare for next week.”

The girls 4x800m relay (Ponce, Tilson, Taylor and M. Todd) was invited to this meet, but didn’t compete due to injuries. Lewis was also invited for the 200-meter, but did not compete in this event due to his training schedule.

• • •

Blue Devils and Lady Devils who have qualified will compete in the sectional meet on Saturday, May 12, at Science Hill.

“This year has been a year of change for UCHS track and field,” Davis said. “The changes to the TSSAA track and field system placed Unicoi County in the larger school classification. Despite these changes, our goal at UCHS track and field has not changed – Blue Devil representation at the state meet in Murfreesboro. Part of that new journey for our athletes has been qualifying for the sectional track meet.

The following athletes will compete at sectionals on May 12: Hawkins in pole vault; Harvey in pole vault; Altemose in pole vault; Mendoza in discus; Shane Armstrong in shot put; Perciful in shot put; Lewis in the 100-meter and 200-meter; and M. Todd in the 1600-meter and 3200-meter.

“This is an incredible accomplishment for each of these athletes and a testament to their hard work this season,” Davis said. “We could not be more proud of the way all of our athletes perform each and every day and are excited to see what these qualifiers do as they attempt to qualify for the state meet.”

After fielding a ground ball, Halie Padgett throws to first base for an out. (Erwin Record Staff Photo by Keeli Parkey)

By Keeli Parkey

The Unicoi County High School softball team (34-7, 10-2) earned an easy victory in its first game of the District 1-AA tournament.

Playing at Elizabethton, the second-seeded Lady Devils got three RBIs from both Sydney Miller and Chloe Powers en route to their 10-0 victory over Sullivan East on Monday, May 7.

Grady Lingerfelt’s team took a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning thanks to an RBI double by Miller and a 2-run home run by Halie Padgett.

The Lady Devils and Lady Patriots kept one another off the scoreboard until the bottom of the sixth inning, when UCHS scored seven runs. Powers got all three of her RBIs on one swing – a triple that scored Kaylia Street, Leah Edney and Ashtan Vance. Miller later singled and scored Powers and Halie Hawkins for an 8-0 lead. UCHS added two more runs to seal the mercy-rule victory.

Padgett gave up only 4 hits in the shutout. Grace Ann Clark was 2-2 at the plate. Allee Griffith was 2-3. The Lady Devils had 11 hits in the game.

The victory over East sent UCHS to the tournament’s winner’s bracket final where they faced Elizabethon – the top seed in the tournament – on Tuesday, May 8, after The Erwin Record’s press deadline for this issue.

With a win on Tuesday, the Lady Devils will play for the tournament championship on Thursday, May 10, at Elizabethton. The Lady Cyclones advanced in the winner’s bracket thanks to a 15-0 victory over Happy Valley on Monday.

With a loss on Tuesday, they will play on Wednesday at 7 p.m. against either East, Happy Valley or Johnson County.

If they have to play on Wednesday, the Lady Devils will have to win that game to keep their season alive. If they win on Wednesday, the Lady Devils would face Elizabethton on Thursday and would have to defeat the Lady Cyclones twice to win the district. Advancing to Thursday will also give UCHS a berth in the regional tournament.

• • •

The Lady Devils wrapped up the regular season and secured second place in the Three Rivers Conference with three victories last week.

First, UCHS defeated Johnson County 10-0 in both back-to-back games during a double-header played in Erwin on May 1. The team had 20 hits in the two games, including home runs by Tanya Chavez, Hawkins and Miller. Padgett earned the victory in the circle in the first game, while Griffith earned the win in the second.

The Lady Devils then went on the road on May 2 and defeated Sullivan East, 9-4. Padgett had 9 strikeouts and 3 hits in the win. Powers and Rylee Stiltner each contributed 2 RBIs.

Owen Nicholson lays down a bunt. (Erwin Record Staff Photo by Keeli Parkey)

By Keeli Parkey

The Blue Devils had their backs against the wall on Tuesday, May 8, after The Erwin Record’s press deadline for this issue.

Following an 11-0 loss to Elizabethton in the District 1-AA tournament on Monday, May 7, the Unicoi County High School baseball team (19-13, 10-2) had to defeat Sullivan East on Tuesday to keep their postseason hopes alive.

“We had several opportunities in the first and second innings to put runs on the board,” head coach Chad Gillis said about Monday’s loss. “We didn’t capitalize on Elizabethton’s errors throughout the first few innings.”

A loss on Tuesday ended the season for the Blue Devils. A win over East set up a rematch with Elizabethton later Tuesday evening and gave UCHS a berth in the regional tournament. A loss to Elizabethton Tuesday gave the Cyclones the district title and put the Blue Devils in second place.

If the Blue Devils defeated East, then defeated Elizabethton on Tuesday, they will play Elizabethton for the district title on Wednesday, May 9, at 6 p.m. at Cardinal Park.

• • •

The Blue Devils opened the district tournament with a 5-0 victory over Sullivan Central on Saturday, May 5, at Cardinal Park.

Pitcher Caleb Wilson (6-3) earned the victory for UCHS.

“Caleb came out and had a great day on the mound,” Gillis said. “He pitched himself out of some pretty tough situations. We also played well defensively behind him. Offensively, we started out slow, but had some key hits late in the game to push some runs across.”

Clay Simpson, Keaton Casey and Brett Strother were all 2-3 at the plate.

• • •

UCHS ended the regular season on May 1 with a 12-5 loss to Dobyns-Bennett in Erwin.

Shortstop Owen Nicholson throws to first base. (File photo)

By Keeli Parkey

Another season – another Three Rivers Conference crown.

With a 5-1 victory at Elizabethton on Wednesday, April 25, the Unicoi County High School baseball team (18-11, 10-2) claimed its second consecutive conference championship. It was a game where the Blue Devils could win the crown outright with a victory, or share the title because of a loss.

“We came out and played well today,” head coach Chad Gillis said. “They showed some maturity and bounced back after a tough loss at home.”

UCHS had a chance to win the conference outright earlier last week, but lost to Elizabethton on April 23. Luckily for the Blue Devils, Happy Valley defeated Sullivan East which kept their hopes of winning a league title outright alive.

“I am excited for my guys to win a conference championship,” Gillis said.

Senior pitcher Clay Simpson (4-0) stayed perfect on the season with a solid performance against the Cyclones. Simpson gave up two hits and struck out 12 batters. He also helped his cause by going 2-4 at the plate.

“Clay dominated on the mound and we had kids come up and do work in big offensive situations,” Gillis said.

Senior Caleb Wilson was 3-4 in the game, including one double and one triple, and had 2 RBIs. Junior Brett Strother was 2-4.

The Blue Devils will be the top seed going into this weekend’s District 1-AA tournament thanks to the conference championship. UCHS is expected to play its first postseason game at Cardinal Park at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 5. Their opponent has not yet been determined. The tournament will continue into next week.

• • •

After getting the job done in conference play, the Blue Devils ended the week with two non-conference contests.

UCHS lost at Daniel Boone, 10-4, on Friday, April 27.

“We came out and made multiple defensive errors and didn’t hit the ball like we can,” Gillis said. “They are a really solid hitting team and when you give them freebies, they will make you pay.”

Junior pitcher Keaton Casey (3-2) took the loss. Wilson was 3-4 at the plate with two doubles.

The Blue Devils bounced back the following day with a 7-6 victory over David Crockett in Erwin.

“This was another tough win for us,” Gillis said. “David Crockett is a much-improved team and they tied the game up with a 3-run home run the top of the seventh. We fought back and got guys on base. Caleb Crain executed a suicide squeeze play to tie the game and Hunter Higgins had the game-winning hit.”

Sophomore pitcher Peyton Whitson earned the win on the mound. Wilson had another 3-hit game, including two doubles. Troy Podvin and Brett Strother were both 3-4. Owen Nicholson was 2-5, including a home run and 2 RBIs.

• • •

The Blue Devils have wrapped up the regular season. They lost, 10-0, at Science Hill on Monday, April 30, and hosted Dobyns-Bennett on Tuesday, May 1, after the press deadline for this issue.

Family, friends and coaches joined Trevor Hensley, seated center, as he signed with Milligan College on Friday, April 27. (Erwin Record Staff Photo by Damaris Higgins)

By Keeli Parkey

His time in a blue uniform may have come to an end, but Trevor Hensley’s basketball career will continue.

Hensley, the all-time leading scorer in Unicoi County High School history, officially signed with the Milligan College Buffalo basketball program during a ceremony on Friday, April 27, at the school.

“I didn’t look at too many schools before Milligan,” Hensley told The Erwin Record. “Milligan stood out to me from the beginning. My visit was an amazing experience; it really just felt like home from the beginning of the whole process.”

Hensley led the Blue Devils to a 22-13 record during the 2017-18 season. The team won the Three Rivers Conference regular season title, District 1-AA tournament and came in second in the Region 1-AA tournament before falling to Knox Fulton in the sectional round. Hensley averaged 23.4 points, 5 rebounds, almost 4 assists and 3 steals per game during his senior season.

Hensley became the Blue Devils’ all-time leading scorer in December, surpassing Logan Lyle’s record of 1,889 points. During the sectional game at Knox Fulton in March, he passed Lady Devil Amy Engle to become the school’s all-time leading scorer. Engle, a 1991 graduate, totalled 2,366 points during her career; Hensley finished his career with 2,378 points. He was the district tournament MVP and a member of the all-region tournament.

Following the season, Hensley was chosen for the AA all-state team, named the Three Rivers Conference player of the year and Northeast Tennessee player of the year. He also won the MVP award and three-point competition at the FCA Northeast Tennessee/Southwest Virginia all-star game played at Emory & Henry College in April.

“Trevor’s hard work has led him to where he is,” Blue Devil head coach Michael Smith said. “From his freshman season through his senior year he was dedicated to the game and to our program. Milligan is getting a great player and someone who can help them win championships.”

Hensley said he is excited to join Milligan’s program.

“Being a part of the team has been a great experience so far – everything from playing pick up with the guys to getting to know the coaches,” he added. “Just like I did here, I’m going to come in and give this school my all, working to fill any role where I am needed. … I know that I will be one of the hardest workers out there to make this transition easier. I’m going to come in, play my game and do whatever coach Robinson needs me to do to continue the winning culture.”

Hensley said the support of his family has been instrumental to his success on the court.

“I would like to thank my close family most of all,” he added. “Specifically my dad and grandfather. My dad and I have put more hours than anyone knows in the gym together. He’s the one that introduced me to this game, the one who taught me how to shoot, the one who taught me to be a leader on the floor. I can’t thank him enough for what he’s done with me and the time he’s invested in me. I also have a very special grandfather. Not many people have someone who would take them to the gym and rebound for them for as long as they wanted, whenever they wanted. I can honestly say I’ve never been told ‘no’ from my papaw when it comes to going to the gym. My family has pushed me to my limits and believed in me when no one else did. I’ll never be able to thank them enough for that.”

Hensley will play in another all-star game – the Rocky Top Border War – on Friday, May 4, at 8 p.m. at Knoxville Catholic High School.

He is the son of Paul and Wendy Hensley.