SWEET 16: Devils secure elite ranking with Cumberland Gap win

After scoring a career-high 38 points in an 83-54 Region 1-2A semifinal win against Cumberland Gap on Tuesday in Gatlinburg, Unicoi County senior guard Jackson Simmons had to return there on Thursday to face fellow Mr. Basketball finalist Jayden Barton of Gatlinburg-Pittman in the title game. And while Simmons piled up 32 more points, Barton dazzled with 42, including 30 after intermission, as the Highlanders (25-4) outlasted the Blue Devils (25-9), 75-65. "Gatlinburg-Pittman is the No. 3 team in the state for a reason," Unicoi County coach Brandon Broyles said. "They're a very good basketball team. It was a great game between two really good teams." Foul trouble hurt the Blue Devils. Cade Peterson was relatively effective against Barton, but that led to too many whistles. Simmons also battled foul trouble. "When Cade and Jackson got in foul trouble, it really limited what we could do defensively," Broyles said. "Cade was guarding Barton early and doing a great job on him. Barton finished with (42) points. A lot of that came when we had to back off because of foul trouble. He shot 15 free throws by himself — more than our whole team." Junior forward Carter Simmons scored 13 points against Pittman. Freshman guard A.J. Thomas tallied 20 points in the rout of Cumberland Gap, which Broyles said was one of his team's better performances. "We had 38 points in the paint and out-rebounded them, 38–27," Broyles said. "We finished with 18 assists on 29 made baskets and only turned the ball over eight times, which is exactly what you want to see. AJ had 20 points and shot 7-for-13 from the floor and 5-for-10 from three. "Jackson was outstanding. He went 15-for-21 from the floor, 2-for-4 from three and 6-for-7 at the free throw line for 38 points." The loss to Pittman forces Unicoi County to travel to Chattanooga Prep (15-11) for its sectional game on Monday. There, Simmons will encounter the third Mr. Basketball finalist. "We're going on the road Monday night to play a very good team," Broyles said. "They've got Derrick Roberson, who is a Mr. Basketball finalist. … They've got several really good players. Reid Connolly is a very good guard who handles the ball well and shoots it at a high percentage. Tavion Foster and Kentrell Watkins are strong on the wings and can really shoot it. "They've got Joe Bulla and Roberson protecting the rim. Both are around 6-foot-7 and do a great job defensively, which allows them to pressure you on the perimeter." Broyles doesn't anticipate the setting or the Sentinels' size unnerving his Blue Devils. "Our region was tough, our sub-state is tough," Broyles said. "But that's what I told the kids—we're battle-tested. We're going to go compete, and we're not going to be intimidated. We've had two great days putting in a game plan we feel can be successful. "There's no other group of kids I'd rather load the bus with. It's been a blessing and an honor to coach them and watch them represent this community." Unicoi County went to the state in 2023 when Simmons was a freshman playing alongside the likes of Lucas Slagle, Grant Hensley, Eli Johnson and Kolby Jones. The Blue Devils' other two state appearances were in 1985 and '86. One more victory will clinch the program's fourth berth. "Being in the Sweet 16 of the state is a great accomplishment," Broyles said. "But we need one more win to get to Murfreesboro and the state tournament. We've had a special year. But like I told the kids — we ain't done yet."