On this Grand Week, The Grand on Central features the Jellico Blue Devils dream basketball season

JELLICO, TN (WLAF) – The Jellico Blue Devil basketball team is writing the feel good sports story of the year with its first-ever state tournament run that began long before this season. “They’ve worked hard since they were freshmen. It’s hard work paying off is where their confidence comes from,” said Jellico Head Coach Mike Reynolds.

With its 65-59 win over University High School last Monday at Johnson City, the Blue Devils are blazing a new trail for its basketball program by reaching the Elite 8 of the state basketball tournament. “It’s where you want to get to as a high school basketball player,” said Coach Reynolds.

Jellico and University players and coaches shake hands after last Monday’s Jellico win.

Coach Reynolds was asked if he thought this would be the team to get Jellico to a state tournament? “I thought we had a shot. I told my wife last spring, I’ve had better teams, but I’ve never had two players who were better winners than 2 and 22, Carson Bolton and Isaac McNealy. I knew if we could get to this level, the sectional, they’d find a way to get us there. And that’s exactly what they did,” said Reynolds.

Jellico will play 24 & 9 Frank Hughes High at Murphy Center on the campus of MTSU at Murfreesboro. The Blue Devils are 20 & 11. Jellico is designated as the home team in the quarterfinal bracket for Wednesday’s 9:45pm ET game.

An elated Mike Reynolds (left) beams after his Jellico Blue Devils qualified for the state tournament.

Both teams are border schools. Hughes High is in Clifton, Wayne County, and sits near the Tennessee River on the Alabama state line while Jellico is split by the Kentucky line on the north side of the state.

The last boys basketball team from Campbell County to make it to the state tournament was Wynn High. The Bulldogs played at Vanderbilt’s Memorial Gym in 1986 falling in the quarterfinals to Bolton, the eventual state runner-up.

“Our goal is to go down there and compete for a gold basketball and make Jellico High School and the Jellico community and all of Campbell County proud,” said Coach Reynolds.

A NOTE FROM THE GRAND ON CENTRAL: “There is so much good going on in our community, and I want to share all this good with you every Monday here on WLAF in hopes that you will start your week in a grand way making each week a Grand Week,” said Olivia Lobtertini, owner of The Grand on Central.

Below, take a visit through The Grand on Central.

For bookings, email Olivia Lobertini ohlobertini03@gmail.com. Check on avails HERE. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 03/11/2024-6AM-PAID AD)

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