How Hillcrest is building its 'Rome' 61 years after school first opened with current TSSAA basketball run
MURFREESBORO — This year's Hillcrest boys basketball team is historic.
Regardless of the eventual outcome of the Vikings' first-ever TSSAA state tournament trip in the school's 61-year history, one name will be synonymous with the run — Ja'coby Lewis.
Two weeks ago, it was a halfcourt buzzer-beater to defeat Middleton in the Class 1A sectionals. On Wednesday at MTSU's Murphy Center, Lewis' 24 points carried Hillcrest to another piece of history as the Vikings defeated Pickett County 56-39 for the school's first state tournament win in the quarterfinals.
Hillcrest advances to play Wayne County in the state semifinals on Friday at 11 a.m.
Lewis made his first eight shot attempts and finished the first half with 20 points. The 5-11 guard finished the game on 9-of-13 shooting and had seven rebounds and three steals. Hillcrest (24-6) held Pickett County (25-8) Mr. Basketball finalist Jacob Amonett to 13 points on 5-of-19 shooting.
"He felt good, I could see it in his bounce," first-year Hillcrest coach Dareyon Terrell said of Lewis. "I saw it the first couple of shots he took, and I was like, 'It's gonna be a good game.'"
On paper, the pieces of Hillcrest's story don't always add up to the success they've had: A new coach in Terrell who spent the previous three seasons at Melrose, losing the season's first three games with a group that's never tasted this level of playoff success.
However, the group forged a sense of togetherness over time. Terrell knew the group had talent, but Lewis' leadership and clutch play in the postseason had been the factor in taking the group to the next level.
"Rome wasn't built overnight. It was a challenge, it was a big adjustment (coming to Hillcrest), but I knew I had the key guys to get us over the hump," Terrell said. "(Lewis is) a senior leader, he's been the big brother he's supposed to be," Terrell said. "He's been very vocal in the locker room lately. There was that big shot, I'm still in disbelief about it, but we're here now."
Lewis might still be in disbelief, too.
The shot that enabled Wednesday's star performance hasn't quite registered, but it's left him laser-focused on the games that lie ahead.
"It really hasn't clicked yet, me hitting that shot and putting our team into state," Lewis said." I didn't want to force no shots," he said of Wednesday. "I just took the shots they gave me and believed in my team. It's just another day in the gym. It's a business trip. It's not a field trip or nothing. We came here to win and put ourselves on the map."
Looking forward to Friday's semifinal, Terrell and his group are treating it just like any other game — locking in on film to play the standout defense that held Pickett County to 35% shooting, and that's locked opponents up all season since those early-season woes.
"We took our Ls to the chest like men. We went back to the lab, handled our business and made sure we made proper adjustments to get us over the hump," Terrell said of the beginning of the season. "Once they did get a taste of success, we just kept feeding the beast. It's become an itch to keep winning."
Wendell Shepherd Jr. is The Commercial Appeal's high school sports beat writer. Reach Wendell at wendell.shepherd@commercialappeal.com or on X @wendellsjr_.
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: TSSAA boys basketball state tournament 2025: Hillcrest earns first win
-
How Greenfield avoided collapse in final minutes to advance to TSSAA basketball Class 1A title game
Rayanna Fisher led Greenfield past Richland as it secured its first TSSAA girls basketball state tournament championship game appearance since 2018.Yahoo Sports - 5d -
Is 35-0 realistic? How Loretto is shooting for the moon at TSSAA boys basketball state tournament
Not many have done it, but Loretto is trying to finish its TSSAA boys basketball season undefeated.Yahoo Sports - 3h -
TSSAA boys basketball state tournament 2025: Live updates from Wednesday's quarterfinals
The Tennessee high school boys basketball state tournament is here. Follow our live updates from Class 1A and 2A quarterfinal games in Murfreesboro.Yahoo Sports - 15h -
How Northview Academy stunned itself in earning TSSAA girls basketball state championship berth
Northview Academy will play in the school's first TSSAA girls basketball state championship after beating defending 3A champion Dyersburg.Yahoo Sports - 5d -
Why Cookeville is at home in TSSAA girls basketball state tournament after another quarterfinal win
Cookeville beat Lincoln County for its third TSSAA girls basketball state tournament win in four seasons. The Cavaliers face Bartlett in the semis.Yahoo Sports - 6d -
Why Natalya Hodge, one of state's top recruits, holds key to Bearden's TSSAA basketball tournament run
Natalya Hodge has Bearden in the TSSAA girls basketball state tournament semifinal after beating Whitehaven Thursday.Yahoo Sports - 5d -
Fayetteville State men's basketball wins dramatic NCAA Tournament opener in overtime
Fayetteville State men's basketball made history with its first-ever NCAA D2 Tournament win, beating Fairmont State in OT. Here's how it happened.Yahoo Sports - 3d -
Faye Williams, Bartlett girls basketball flex height in last-second TSSAA state tournament win
A late shot from Bartlett junior Faye Williams sealed the team's win vs. Oak Ridge as it advanced in the TSSAA girls basketball state tournament.Yahoo Sports - 6d -
Memphis Business' overtime loss only fuels desire for TSSAA boys basketball state tournament in 2026
After a season with plenty of historic milestones, MBA came just short of adding a state tournament win, falling to Tyner in overtime.Yahoo Sports - 1h
More from Yahoo Sports
-
Cade Cunningham banks in game-winning 3 to push Pistons past Heat
Cunningham struggled with his shot early, missing six of his eight attempts in the first quarter, but finished with 25 points on 9-of-25 shooting to go with 12 rebounds, 11 assists, two blocks and ...Yahoo Sports - 9m -
Javon Bennett buries eight treys; Dayton advances to next round of NIT
The University of Dayton men’s basketball team had a strong offensive performance to kick off their participation in the 2025 NIT.Yahoo Sports - 16m -
Virginia and Stanford each win a relay event at the NCAA women’s swimming and diving championships
Defending champion Virginia won the first relay event at the women’s swimming and diving championships on Wednesday night to begin its quest for a fifth straight NCAA title. Virginia's Claire ...Yahoo Sports - 19m -
Deebo Samuel, Commanders agree to new contract for 2025
The Washington Commanders and wide receiver Deebo Samuel agree to a restructured contract for 2025.Yahoo Sports - 20m -
United acquires Jabang ahead of home opener; here's what to know
Mar. 19—Last season Dennis Sanchez got an opportunity to borrow Ousman Jabang for an extended 14-game test run. Sanchez came away impressed and in the market to buy. New Mexico United officially ...Yahoo Sports - 24m
More in Sports
-
Cade Cunningham banks in game-winning 3 to push Pistons past Heat
Cunningham struggled with his shot early, missing six of his eight attempts in the first quarter, but finished with 25 points on 9-of-25 shooting to go with 12 rebounds, 11 assists, two blocks and ...Yahoo Sports - 9m -
Javon Bennett buries eight treys; Dayton advances to next round of NIT
The University of Dayton men’s basketball team had a strong offensive performance to kick off their participation in the 2025 NIT.Yahoo Sports - 16m -
Virginia and Stanford each win a relay event at the NCAA women’s swimming and diving championships
Defending champion Virginia won the first relay event at the women’s swimming and diving championships on Wednesday night to begin its quest for a fifth straight NCAA title. Virginia's Claire ...Yahoo Sports - 19m -
Deebo Samuel, Commanders agree to new contract for 2025
The Washington Commanders and wide receiver Deebo Samuel agree to a restructured contract for 2025.Yahoo Sports - 20m -
Follow live: Texas, Xavier square off in First Four matchup
nullESPN - 21m