CLEVELAND, Tenn. — The new hardwood season is just around the corner with the area's expected top 4A teams having a familiar ring.
When the District 5 and District 6-4A coaches gathered Wednesday at the at the Cleveland Country Club for the annual Media Day, sponsored by My-Mix 104.1 and ESPN 101.3 radio, the top of the preseason polls were the same squads that made the TSSAA Sectionals last spring.
Each earning unanimous results, Bradley Central was voted the favorite to repeat as both District 6 champs, while the Cleveland girls and Walker Valley boys are expected to be the teams to beat in District 5.
With official practice set begin Monday (Nov.
4) and the first games just 15 days later (Nov. 19), the Bradley County foursome will have targets on their backs as they navigate tough league and non-conference schedules.
Coaches from the other Region 3 programs, except Howard, which were not able to attend, quickly gave credit to the returning substate squads while expressing their hopes to be able to give them a run for their money.
With the Bearettes losing just one non-starter from last year's second straight TSSAA state championship squad and the Lady Raiders making a Final Four run in Coach Bianca Hensley's first season at the helm, there was little surprise when they were atop both the coaches and media polls.
In District 5 girls, Rhea County was picked to finish second, with Walker Valley third and McMinn County fourth.
Likewise, among the District 6 ladies, East Hamilton was tabbed as the runner-up, following by Ooltewah and Howard.
Despite having to replace some key standout players, the Bears and Mustangs are both expected to have enough firepower to return to the TSSAA substate, with a shot at punching a state tournament ticket.
According to the coaches, the District 5 boys race will see Cleveland rebound for a second place finish, with McMinn County third and Rhea County fourth.
The District 6 mentors tabbed East Hamilton as the runner-up, followed by Ooltewah and Howard.
This season's district tournament at slated to be played at Walker Valley and Howard the third week of February, with the region set for Rhea County the following week.
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