Former allies become adversaries

That's the question and the answer will be provided this weekend as 12-time TSSAA Class AAA state champion Shelbyville Central looks for another championship.

Eaglette coach Lynn Burkey (right) spent 16 years on Oak Ridge coach Jill Prudden's staff. (T-G Photo by Gary Johnson) [Click to enlarge]

The chase starts Thursday night at 7 against perennial state power and top-ranked Oak Ridge in the opening round action of the state tourney at MTSU's Murphy Center.

This will be the 19th state tournament for the Eaglettes since the Class AAA classification began in 1975-1976 and the program's 22nd overall.

To say that this opening round matchup has a little twist to it might be an understatement as Eaglette coach Lynn Burkey spent 16 years at Oak Ridge with longtime coach Jill Prudden.

"Jill and I go way back when I was an assistant for her at Oak Ridge and I can see where this opening round matchup will have a little more interest because of our past but to be honest, and I'm sure coach Prudden feels the same way, it really doesn't matter who your opening round opponent is, we're both going to try to do whatever we can to prepare our team to win," Burkey said. "I think the bigger story is the fact two of the top girls high school basketball programs in the state year in and year out that have played some great state tournament games throughout the years are facing one another in the opening round this year. It just so happens I'm on the other side this time."

Shelbyville and Oak Ridge have combined for 20 of the last 24 appearances in the championship game of the Class AAA state tournament, including 13 state titles.

They have met six times in the state tournament, including five meetings in the title game (1986, 1988, 1989, 1994, 1997) and one in the state semifinals (1987). During those six games Oak Ridge holds a 4-2 advantage, winning the 1987 semifinals and the 1988, 1994 and 1997 state titles. Shelbyville won the 1986 and 1989 state championships.

It's fair to say the respect the two coaches have for one another is mutual.

"I have a tremendous amount of respect for Lynn; he's a good friend and a tremendous coach," Prudden said. "He'll be one of the most prepared teams out there. He does his homework, he'll know us inside and out and he'll have a good game plan. It's a tough first-round draw."

Oak Ridge (33-1) enters the tournament as one of the top teams in the state. What they lack in size is made up with team speed and quickness.

"We're a small team and if you're small and slow you're in trouble, but we've got some good quickness so we try to utilize that," Prudden said. "We try to make it an up-and-down game.

"I haven't seen Lynn play, but I would say with his size he probably does a little bit of the opposite, probably takes advantage of his big kids. I would say it's who can enforce their will upon the other."

Burkey realizes that the Eaglettes must take care of the basketball and limit their turnovers.

"We know Oak Ridge is a small team and I know they're going to press. How we handle that will go a long way in determining the outcome of this game."

The Lady Wildcats are the District 3-AAA and Region 2-AAA champs and have a 21-game win streak.

They are led in scoring by 3-point specialist Raegan Thompson and point guard Kortni Jones, who likes to take it to the basket and has the ability to shoot as well. Both are averaging 14 points per game.

Thompson, a 5-foot-10 junior, is their tallest starter. Tiffany Johnson is the lone senior.

Shelbyville (27-5) has won 17 games in a row, allowing an average of only 36.1 points a game. The Eaglette offense has been just as impressive, averaging 61.5 points per game during that time span.

The two teams have one common opponent in Bradley Central.

Oak Ridge has a pair of wins over Bradley Central, 69-54 at home and 56-49 on the road.

Shelbyville rolled to a 66-37 win over Bradley Central in the sectional Saturday to advance to the state.

"We're just going to do everything we can to bring home another gold ball," Burkey said. "I like where this team is right now. We have grown as a team this season. From overcoming all the injuries and illnesses to go along with what I truly believe is the toughest schedule in the state, overcoming all of those things made us a better team and helped prepare us to where we want to go."

Wilson Central and Bartlett are the two other teams in Shelbyville's half of the bracket.

The Eaglettes have been at home throughout the postseason, hosting the district and region tournaments along with the sectional game.

Burkey would like to see the stands packed with Golden Eaglette fans Thursday night.

"I hope that all of our fans and basketball fans in general will make an attempt to attend this year's state tournament," Burkey said. "There are so many great teams with a lot of tradition in all three classifications. This has a chance to be one of the best girls state tournaments in years."