Trojans travel to Munford in search of state berth

 

Jason Peevyhouse

Editor, JP Productions

On Saturday night, the Lady Trojans had a dominating win over Millington in the TSSAA Class 3A Sectional Round to punch their ticket to the state tournament for the third straight season. The win also allows them to go to Murfreesboro with a shot at repeating as the Class 3A State Champions.

On Monday night, Dyersburg’s boys will hit the road with on main goal in mind – defeating Munford to advance to the TSSAA Class 3A Boys State Tournament for the first time since 1987.

“I know the kids are excited about it,” Dyersburg Head Coach Blaine Mahaffey said on Friday as the team was beginning its preparation for the sectional round. “And, they should be because this is a fun time.

“We’re going to start some preparation today and over the weekend. Hopefully, we’ll be ready for them on Monday night.”

The Trojans have reached the region semifinals in each of the past two seasons but fell to Bolivar in 2024 and Haywood in 2023. This year, the black and gold were able to punch through the region semifinals where their season has ended four times since 2020 and six times in ten years.

“Talking to what few former players that I have in the past few days, it’s a ton of credit to those guys,” Mahaffey said. “Just in my time here, we’ve had some guys that have been really close to getting to this point.

“The other day, one of them worded it ‘we’ve been knocking on that door’. My response to him was ‘y’all loosened it up’.”

Mahaffey made a quick point to explain it is still a credit to the players on the current roster.

“This is a credit to our kids now – don’t get me wrong – I am not trying to underplay that,” the Trojan head coach said. “It is also a credit to the guys that have come before them that have been close and worked and laid the foundation before them. This is who we want to be and give us the chance to play for and get to a region semi every year.

“It’s a team win, don’t get me wrong, but it’s a program win.”

Dyersburg entered the past season as the No. 3-seeded team from District 13-3A. Yet, the Trojans defeated a team in South Gibson who had defeated them twice during the regular season, though both games were close.

“Numbers are just numbers,” Mahaffey explained. “You can make a number look any way you way you want it to look. I’m convinced of that.

“Our kids have played really well the last couple of weeks. I am just really happy for them and they have played their guts out.”

Mahaffey added the region championship game was no exception.

“Last night, they played their guts out,” the Trojan head coach said. "We just picked a bad time to not be our best on offense.

“But, you’ve got to give it to Fayette-Ware. They’ve been in this game five of the last six years. They’ve made some big plays down the stretch that we just did not. We’re fortunate to still be playing.”

Mahaffey pointed to the grit of the players being a big factor on why the Trojans are still playing ten days into March, 21 years and two days since their last sectional round game.

“The grit that our kids have been playing with has really shown up,” Mahaffey added. “They’re not ready for their basketball life to be done yet.

“They’re playing with a sense of urgency so there you go.”

This could be attributed to having seven seniors on the roster for the Trojans.

“Obviously, that doesn’t hurt,” Mahaffey admitted. "They’ve been around some good teams and seen some teams close.

“Several of those guys have played in those big games. That doesn’t hurt but our younger guys have been really good in practice and preparation. We’re still just trying to get better.”

In speaking to Mahaffey less than 24 hours after one battle, the preparation was just beginning for the showdown with the Cougars on Monday night in Munford.

“I’m aware of three to four kids that they have and I am looking to dig a little more into them this evening,” the Trojan head coach said. “We’re going to practice tomorrow and Sunday afternoon and hopefully have ourselves ready to go.

“Really appreciate the people that have supported us the last couple of weeks. It really means a lot to the kids.

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