North Greene boys basketball coach Sam Tarlton’s prediction came true: Jason Britton will graduate as the most decorated player in Huskies history.
The Northeast Tennessee record book will see to it as well. Not only did Britton shatter a career scoring record that had been tied just once since 1964, he also finished his senior year with 1,087 points. And on Wednesday, Britton was selected the 2024 Kingsport Times News/Johnson City Press All-Northeast Tennessee Boys Basketball Player of the Year.
Britton, a Tusculum signee, finished his career with 2,958 points, 23 more than the previous mark shared by Langston’s Kenneth Hamilton (1964) and Tennessee High’s Derrick Hord (1979). As a senior, Britton averaged 30.5 points and 7.5 rebounds per game, hitting 64.5% of his shots and 40% from 3-point range. He also averaged 3.3 assists and 3.0 steals while making 82% of his free throws. The latter two numbers ranked fourth and sixth, respectively, in Northeast Tennessee.
Britton led the Huskies to their third state tournament in four years, defeating Class 1A Mr. Basketball winner Jordan McCollum and Harriman on the road 58-54 to get there.
COACH OF THE YEAR
Not since 2016 had David Crockett advanced to the district championship game. But fifth-year head coach Cody Connell’s club ended that drought this season, and then some.
It took a fourth win over Unicoi County to reach the sectional round, Crockett’s first since 2017 and fourth ever. A third victory over Tennessee High, this one 54-51, gave the Pioneers their first region championship in program history. From there, it was smooth sailing to Crockett’s second state tournament trip.
Thus, Connell is the NET Boys Basketball Coach of the Year after leading Crockett to a 28-7 record.
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
His 20.2 points per game certainly helped University High. But even with the seventh-highest scoring average in NET, senior A.J. Murphy was equally, if not more, lethal on defense.
Murphy led NET in steals with 3.8 per game in addition to his 1.2 blocks and 5.7 rebounds, setting up countless transition opportunities for the Buccaneers. UH had plenty of fast-break options thanks to Murphy, who hit 1.5 3-pointers a game while ranking fourth in NET with 4.7 assists. As a result, Murphy is the NET Boys Basketball Defensive Player of the Year.
Murphy and the Buccaneers won their second straight Region 1-1A title and finished 23-9 overall.
MOST PROMISING UNDERCLASSMAN
Unicoi County’s Jackson Simmons has played like anything but an underclassman the past two years. Scoring in double figures in all 36 of the Blue Devils’ games this year, Simmons defended his title as the NET Boys Basketball Most Promising Underclassman.
Not only did Simmons lead NET by hitting 89.0% of his free throws, but at one point, he made 49 straight from the charity stripe. Simmons made 1.6 3-pointers and dished out 3.0 assists per game, and his 22.4 points ranked fourth in NET.
Despite graduating key pieces from last year’s state tournament team, Simmons helped Unicoi County post a 24-12 record and reach the Region 1-3A semifinals.
FIRST TEAM
Brady Lawson, sr., Science Hill: The Big East player of the year helped Science Hill nearly triple its win total (20-12) from last season. Averaging 15.9 points and 2.3 3-point baskets per game, Lawson made 81.3% of his free throws. The latter two numbers ranked eighth in NET.
Corbin Laisure, jr., Sullivan East: A force in the paint, Laisure averaged a double-double with 16.6 points and 11.0 rebounds per game, in addition to 0.9 blocks. The Patriots’ record-breaking rebounder currently holds 14 NCAA Division I football offers.
Colin Brown, jr., Tennessee High: Averaging 19.5 points a night, Brown broke the Vikings’ single-game record with 54 points in the region quarterfinals en route to Tennessee High’s first sectional since 2005. Brown also averaged 3.0 assists, 3.0 steals and 2.0 3-pointers.
Trey Thompson, so., Greeneville: The Greene Devils’ 6-foot-8 Class 3A Mr. Basketball finalist averaged 22.8 points and 9.2 rebounds while shooting 83.1% from the foul line, all top-four averages in NET. Thompson’s 2.4 triples per game ranked seventh.
Christian Derry, sr., Chuckey-Doak: Standing 6-foot-9, Derry averaged a double-double with his NET-best 12.4 rebounds and second-best 23.1 points. His 4.8 blocks per game easily led the area as well.
SECOND TEAM
Bradley Gouge, jr., David Crockett: One of three Pioneers to average double figures, Gouge scored 11.0 points while grabbing six rebounds with 0.5 blocks per game. The junior was named MVP of the Region 1-3A Tournament.
Peter Boynewicz, sr. , University High: The Buccaneers senior guard finished second only to teammate A.J. Murphy in steals per game with 3.4. Boynewicz otherwise averaged 16.0 points, 5.8 rebounds, 1.0 3-pointers and 1.5 blocks.
Tim McGonigle, sr., Daniel Boone: Most of the Trailblazers’ offense went through McGonigle, who ranked third in NET with 4.8 assists per game. The District 1-4A Tournament MVP averaged 12.6 points and 2.2 steals while hitting 72.4% of his free throws.
Hayden Campbell, sr., Hampton: The Bulldogs consistently fed their senior center, who averaged 14.7 points and 6.4 rebounds. Campbell made 71.4% from the charity stripe, and his 2.2 blocks ranked third in NET.
Cam Hayworth, so., Dobyns-Bennett: Whether at guard or forward, Hayworth made an impact for the Tribe. His 17.9 points and 2.1 3-pointers per game led the Indians, on top of his 5.5 rebounds.
