A TASK TOO TALL: Blocked trip to state can't diminish team's accomplishments

Dropping from Class 3A to 2A figured to make for a smoother road to Murfreesboro for the Unicoi County basketball team. But Chattanooga Prep was as tall a task as the Blue Devils were meeting in 3A. The Sentinels, having moved up after winning the past two Class 1A state championships, were led by 6-foot-7 Mr. Basketball winner Derrick Roberson. Now looking for his third straight state tournament Most Valuable Player, Roberson was 14 of 18 from the field en route to 30 points. The Chattanooga Prep's starters include a pair of 6-foot-4 guards and another 6-foot-6 front court player. Unicoi County Mr. Basketball finalist Jackson Simmons went out with his head held high. Simmons, Unicoi County's all-time leading scorer, overcame junk defenses to pile up 33 points. The Milligan University signee finished his career with 2,823 points. "I hate to see it end," Simmons said. "I think about how, from the beginning of the year to the end of the year, just how much better we were playing and how much more everything was kind of jelling together." But the task was too tall – and athletic. "They're a good team," Simmons said. "They've got guys that are 6-foot-7, 6-foot-6, 6-foot-8. … And that athleticism top to bottom makes it difficult to get much going. We had it cut, I think, to 11 in the fourth quarter, and then they just went on a run." First-year Unicoi County coach Brandon Broyles couldn't fault his players' effort. "We ran into a really good basketball team Monday night," Broyles said. "They finished with 66 points in the paint and 33 points in transition. A lot of that came off turnovers. "Our kids kept fighting and battling in a tough situation and a tough environment. That's a phenomenal basketball team – very athletic, very long, and big. It's almost like playing a small college team. But I couldn't be more proud of our kids." Simmons made 5 of 8 attempts from 3-point range. Fellow senior Cade Peterson added 12 points. Simmons' cousins, Brady (senior) and Carter (junior), scored six points apiece. Unicoi County's senior class includes Gabe King, Eli Harris and Dillon Sifford. "This group of seniors has had a great run," Broyles said. "They played in the sub-state and made it to the Sweet 16, and some of them made it to the state tournament as freshmen. They've carried on the tradition of Unicoi County basketball. The team finished undefeated in conference play, won a district championship, and finished as region runner-up. That's a very special season. "Every one of these seniors has a bright future ahead of them. They've poured a lot into this program and left it in a very good place. They've shown the younger kids what it means to win and what it means to be a Blue Devil." Broyles had somewhat of a tricky task in inheriting a veteran team from a beloved coach in Jordan Simmons, who traded the boys job for the girls job last spring. There was an adjustment period for Broyles and the players. But the team went undefeated in the league and won the district tournament, and didn't play intimidated in postseason losses to Chattanooga Prep and Gatlinburg-Pittman. "It hurts that it ended the way it did," Broyles said. "But when you step back and look at it, we had a great year and accomplished some special things. When you make the Sweet 16 and are one of the final teams left playing in the state of Tennessee, that's something to be proud of. … "It's been an honor to coach them. They've made me a better coach and a better person. I'm thankful for the opportunity I've had to coach them, and I can't wait to see them be successful in whatever they choose to do." Lifelong memories were made during the transition season. "When the (Three Rivers Conference) coaches voted on postseason awards," Broyles said, "Jackson was Player of the Year, A.J. (Thomas) was Underclassman of the Year and Carter, Brady and Cade all made the all-conference team. That shows how much the other coaches respected what our team accomplished." Jackson Simmons, of course, accomplished at a prolific rate. He is now the most iconic player in program history. "Jackson became the all-time leading scorer in school history, was a Mr. Basketball finalist and he's a finalist for the BCAT (Basketball Coaches Association of Tennessee) Player of the Year award," Broyles said. "He'll also get to play one more game in a Blue Devil jersey in the BCAT All-Star Game later this month." Simmons grew up in Johnson City, but began attending Unicoi County in middle school, where he also played for his Jordan Simmons, his uncle. "Overall, it was a great four years," Jackson Simmons said. "I couldn't ask for anything more. I was extremely blessed with great teammates, great coaches. There's nowhere I would've rather been. The community, the school, the people – it was great."