With a much more experienced roster this season, the Chuckey-Doak Black Knights head into the 2025-26 season looking to get back to their winning culture and build off last year’s learning process.
It was a very unusual season for the Black Knights and Head Coach Sam Broyles last year. They showcased a loaded senior class the year prior and had zero seniors on their roster last year. But even though it was a rough year and rough process to endure, the experience gained will surely help as the new group of seniors look to make a statement on their way out.
Chuckey-Doak finished 6-22 (1-9) with a first-round exit in the District 1-2A Tournament to West Greene last season.
Five seniors will be featured on this year’s team, Dominique Atchison, Gavin Crum, Blake Lippard, Ben Palazzo, and Braxstin Roberts.
“We’ve got some experience coming back with Dom Atchison, Blake, Ben Palazzo, and Gavin Crum who’s working his way back in. Braxstin Roberts is a senior. We’ll see how these guys can contribute to help this team,” Coach Broyles stated. “It helps that we’ve got experience coming back and I’m looking for good things from this team. But it’s going to take time.”
Although a large number of players return from last year’s squad Coach Broyles knows that each team needs to build their own chemistry on the court to be successful.
“It is a great comfort knowing we’ve got that coming back, but at the same time they’ve still got to develop chemistry with each other,” Broyles explained.
Ryland Grindstaff is the lone junior on this year’s roster and looks to continue building onto his résumé as one of the area’s top players in his third season in black and gold.
Although Chuckey-Doak features five seniors, they are still heavy with underclassmen. They have four sophomores and four freshmen.
“At the same time, we’ve got some experience, we’ve also got some youth,” Coach Broyles said.
The sophomore group will feature Hudson Cox, Cobe Love, Mason Henderson, and Chance Malone. The freshmen on the roster are Logan Malone, Knox McAmis, Braxton Lowe, and Jake Broyles.
The District 1-2A conference will feature the normal crop of South Greene, West Greene, Happy Valley, and Johnson County. Hampton has since dropped down to Class 1A and left the league. Unicoi County has dropped down to Class 2A and has joined the conference.
The Black Knights will have a jam-packed non-conference schedule. They will play home and away games with North Greene, Cherokee, Cloudland, University High, Claiborne, and Washburn.
They will compete in the Hardee’s Classic over Thanksgiving break at David Crockett High School in Jonesborough. Over Christmas break the boys will travel to Happy Valley for their annual Christmas Tournament.
Chuckey-Doak opens the season with KACHEA in a Hall of Fame game on Thursday, November 20.
We got the chance to catch up with the Chuckey-Doak basketball teams ahead of tip-off Thursday night!
Remember to follow GreeneSportsZone for all your Greeneville/Greene County basketball coverage. #FirstHorizon pic.twitter.com/q6lsL5PiKI
— GreeneSportsZone (@GSportsZone) November 18, 2025
The Chuckey-Doak Black Knights season is only two days away and we spoke with Head Coach Sam Broyles at yesterday’s Media Day to get an idea of what to expect on the court in Lower Afton this season. pic.twitter.com/hC4bzH94Z8
— GreeneSportsZone (@GSportsZone) November 18, 2025
Chuckey-Doak guard Ryland Grindstaff (@RylandGstaff) steps into his junior season with a year of varsity experience looking to make an impact. Hear what to expect this season as the Black Knights kick off the regular season on Thursday night. pic.twitter.com/3B9Q3YtRZf
— GreeneSportsZone (@GSportsZone) November 18, 2025
Chuckey-Doak senior guard Gavin Crum (@gcrum0) detailed his anticipation and confidence heading into his senior year with the Black Knights. pic.twitter.com/dsYvFh5aPT
— GreeneSportsZone (@GSportsZone) November 18, 2025
