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Back row from left to right are Jellico Blue Devils Caleb Rose, Carter Terry, Carson Bolton, Isaac McNealy, John Zecchini, Trey Vann, Dre Webb. Blue Devils on the front row from left to right are Brayden Byrd, Jacob Bowlin, Bryson Stahr, Owen Morgan, Micah Shelby, Seth Brandenburg. (PHOTOS COURTESY OF CHRIS BAIRD)

HARRIMAN, TN (WLAF) – It’s win or go home for the Jellico Blue Devils. “The region semi-finals are the most pressure packed games of the tournament. However, a win in the semis gives you a clearer picture of your path to the state basketball tournament,” said JHS Head Coach Mike Reynolds.

Reynolds and his 18 win Devils face Midway (12 & 16), a team that is playing well here late. “They’re scrappy, and they’ve bought in to their coach’s plan,” said Reynolds.

Jellico won the District 3-A Basketball Tournament Championship last week at Roane County, Oliver Springs High. This week at Roane County, a few miles away at Harriman High, Jellico is playing to advance to the Region 2-A Tourney Title game on Thursday.

Jellico practiced right after school on Monday and went for a good 90-minutes. “We’re healthy and ready to play,” said the coach.

Reynolds thinks Midway will try to zone, and Jellico’s handled the zone this season. “We definitely want to trap them and speed up the game. We want to get that temp up, but we’re gonna need to knock down some shots,” said Reynolds.

The Jellico Blue Devils and the JHS Cheerleaders celebrate on the Bobcats home court after the District 3-A Tourney title game win over Oliver Springs.

“The pressure of a game like this can affect how you play, and how you handle that will likely determine how successful you’ll be,” said Reynolds. The veteran coach is banking on the post season experience of team leaders Carson Bolton and Isaac McNealy to help the Devils.

“Pressure is a privilege, and you must embrace it,” said Reynolds. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 02/26/2024-6AM-PHOTOS COURTESY OF CHRIS BAIRD)

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