For the 7th-straight season the North Greene Lady Huskies are going dancing.
It’s difficult to reach the state tournament at any level. It’s even more difficult to make it seven-consecutive seasons. For North Greene’s Head Coach James Buchanan, it doesn’t get old.
“It sure don’t get old. Each year is brand new,” Buchanan said. “I don’t even think about seven in-a-row I think about we get to go this year. And each team takes on its own identity and has its own stories and ups-and-downs. I’m just fortunate and blessed to be the coach for such a great group of kids.”
The Lady Huskies did not have the easiest path to the glass house. The first game of the postseason was a battle with Cloudland that came down to the wire in the District 1-1A semifinals. Sophomore Eva Leonard nailed a three-pointer with less than 15 seconds remaining to help the Lady Huskies win. The championship didn’t favor North Greene as they let a 20-point lead slip away and lost to Unaka.
The Region 1-1A semis was a big matchup with Cosby who North Greene split with in the regular season. After advancing past the Lady Eagles they squared off with Unaka again in the same venue in the Region Championship. The result was the same and left North Greene without a district or region championship. But sometimes the hardware doesn’t matter. Sectionals do.
They traveled to Oneida for the second time in four years and had another barnburner in Scott County. The Lady Huskies survived a raging comeback and multiple scares and secured their spot in this year’s state tournament after two overtimes.
“For us to still be standing and continuing to play this week we feel we’re very blessed and fortunate,” Coach Buchanan expressed.
Senior Ella Head is the most experienced member of this year’s state tournament team. Head is a four-year player and the only senior to have played all four years with North Greene. Coach Buchanan explained how important it is to have Ella’s experience and leadership with such a young team. “It is good to have one that’s experienced it,” Coach Buchanan stated.
Last year’s squad consisted of four senior starters who have graduated. This year’s squad consists of senior Ella Head, four sophomores, and another senior, Natalie Foshie. Coach Buchanan calls his main six his “six starters” due to the high volume of minutes that each player plays.
Out of those six, only three have state tournament experience. Ella Head has played 55 minutes in three state tournaments. Josie Graham played 15 minutes in last year’s game. Cadie McDevitt played in the final minute last year. Tralyn Southerland, Eva Leonard, and Foshie are all transfers with zero state tournament experience.
North Greene enters the tournament 28-7 (6-2) searching for its first state tournament win since 2021. This will be the Lady Huskies 10th appearance in the big dance.
The Middleton Lady Tigers (19-9) will be standing opposite of North Greene on Thursday. The Lady Huskies and Coach Buchanan have some history with Middleton in the state tournament. 2010 was North Greene’s first appearance in the Class 1A State Tournament. The Lady Huskies were eliminated by Middleton at the buzzer in a heartbreaking defeat.
This year’s team presents some challenges for North Greene. Coach Buchanan explained how he views this year’s Middleton squad.
“We have been able to see some things that are concerning with them. They are just a super athletic team with a very good individual player and some good pieces around her. So, it’ll be a tough challenge,” Buchanan mentioned.
The player the Lady Huskies will be most concerned with is 5’8″ guard Harmony Bell. The senior is averaging 19.5 points, 5.6 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 2.4 steals per game. Kemora Bugg is a 5’9″ senior who is averaging 12 points and 7.9 rebounds.
This year’s edition of the state tournament features returning champion Greenfield and last year’s runner-up Van Buren. Coalfield and Richland join North Greene on the list of five returning teams. A rematch of the State Championship last year between Greenfield and Van Buren will occur on the first round. Other returners Coalfield and Richland will play before them.
Middleton, Gordonsville, and Wayne County join this year’s group of state tournament teams.
The Class 1A action tips off at 4:00 PM central time starting with Wayne County vs. Gordonsville. North Greene follows with Middleton at 5:30 PM central time.
The games will be held at The Murphy Center on the campus of Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro.
