The District 8-AA Coaches Meeting took place Friday in Cookeville. The annual meeting officially sets the times and place of the District 8-AA tournament. The coaches also vote on the all district teams, MVPs, freshmen team and all defensive team. The first round of the district tournament will take place Thursday with three games at Cookeville High School. The opening round continues Friday night as the Cannon County Lionettes will participate in the third game of the night at 7:30 against Smith County. Smith County will be without District 8-AA MVP Callie Hackett as Hackett was lost for the rest of the season due to a torn ACL. The Cannon County Boys got a first round bye and will not have to play until Saturday. The Lions will however play the winner of the Upperman Smith County Boys game. Saturday’s contest is the last of the evening of the semifinal round and will take place at 8:30.
Coach Matt Rigsby of the Cannon County Lions was named the District 8-AA Coach Of The Year. Coach Rigsby’s team boasts a 24-5 overall record, finished in the top spot of the district standings and currently has a 11 game winning streak going. Cannon also has the district MVP as Josh Ruehlen was named MVP of District 8-AA. Ruehlan shares the spotlight with York’s Colton Blevins for the top honor. Jacob Nave was named to the first team all district while Garrett McReynolds was named third team. Marshall McReynolds, Austin Martin and AJ Daniel were named honorable mention. Marshall and Austin were also named to the all defensive team as well. The girls teams were announced at the meeting but since Coach Michael Dodgen has not shared that information with his team at the time of this story, WBRY will honor his request from making it public until he has officially given word to the Lionettes. Congratulations to all the ball players both Lions and Lionettes on their recognitions.
