Brainerd High School

Robert High's Panthers, regional champions and a state tournament team the year before, came in ranked No. 2 in Tennessee's Class AAA and among the favorites. Dale Collins (6-1, sr.) and Jay Price (6-1, sr.) made a strong backcourt, Price scoring 16 and rated one of the South's top guard prospects; up front were 6-2 junior Mark Wilson (18), David Bone (6-2, sr.) and 6-9 junior Malcolm Mackey (16). They averaged 85 points but had faded, losing by three to state-ranked AA Chattanooga Howard and by one to state-ranked AAA Bradley County, Mackey in foul trouble both times. 9-2 coming in.