JaDyn Lee, Munford basketball 'in history forever' after first TSSAA state tournament in 95 years

MURFREESBORO — In the cinderblock halls just off MTSU's Murphy Center floor, Munford basketball's JaDyn Lee and Elisha Patrick embraced principal Courtney Fee, the reality of the season's finality setting in.

"I can't even cry," Lee said. "We made it this far."

Munford made its first appearance at the TSSAA boys basketball state tournament in 95 years on Thursday, falling 63-46 to Greeneville in the Class 3A quarterfinals.

"This team, our names, we're in history forever," Lee said after the game. "I'm honored to be in this situation. 95 years is a long time."

Lee's name will certainly be in Munford history, "up there" with some of the best in Cougars history according to coach Kameron Foster.

The senior guard finished with 30 points, five rebounds and three assists. He single-handedly kept Munford (21-11) in the game, scoring every third-quarter point and bringing the game to within a point with 5:43 remaining before Greenville went on an 18-2 run.

"I know today opened up the eyes of a lot of college coaches who saw the way he stepped up and led the team. I'm so proud of him," Foster said. "They fought, that's all I can ask for and all I can ask from him. He led this team exactly where he told me he could get us."

Lee didn't shy away from the big moment, going head-to-head with Greeneville Mr. Basketball finalist Trey Thompson, who finished with 28 points, 12 rebounds and seven assists. Patrick was second for Munford with six points.

"I prayed for times like this. I was ready for it," Lee said. "Us county boys, I think I put us on the map today. We need more recognition, not just me."

Munford's state appearance was the culmination of a moment in the middle of the season, when the Cougars were 10-10 and decided that things were going to go differently. Lee, who averaged 24 points and nine rebounds this season, was right at the center of the 11-game winning streak that led the group to Murfreesboro, winning district and region MVP.

"(Lee) matured as the season went on and he got to a spot in the second part of the season where he just said, 'I'm gonna do what it takes for my team to win,'" Foster said. "He's an amazing kid."

The change started in practice and resulted in a season few outside of Munford's locker room expected.

"All of our chemistry started clicking at the right moment," Patrick said. "Last year, people said we were just athletes and we had a ton of seniors and that's why we made it that far. We came back this year and made it even further, proving that it was us too."

This was a special Munford group, one with five seniors soon to graduate, the uber-talented Lee chief among them. But if this season was anything to go by, that'll have little impact on Munford's future.

"I'm glad they got to see this. They see exactly what it takes now," Foster said. "Their hard work that they turned on for two months straight got them here and I don't feel like it's gonna stop now. Those last two months to get here is what next year is gonna be to."

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: Munford falls despite JaDyn Lee's star performance at TSSAA basketball tournament

Topics

How Hillcrest is building its 'Rome' 61 years after school first opened with current TSSAA basketball run

Ja'coby Lewis led Hillcrest to its first-ever TSSAA boys basketball state tournament win Wednesday in Murfreesboro.
Yahoo Sports - 1d
Why the pain won't last for JCM after losing its first TSSAA boys basketball state tournament

JCM embraced every moment from its first appearance in the TSSAA boys basketball state tournament Wednesday in Murfreesboro.
Yahoo Sports - 1d
Why hope exists for Bartlett despite third TSSAA girls basketball state title loss to Bradley Central

Bartlett made history as a three-time TSSAA girls basketball state tournament finalist, but fell again to Bradley Central in the championship.
Yahoo Sports - 5d
Why the wait was sweet for Jackson County in 1st win of TSSAA boys basketball state tournament

It was a program first on Wednesday when Jackson County's boys defeated Jackson Central-Merry in the TSSAA boys basketball state tournament.
Yahoo Sports - 1d
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 - Mar. 14
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 - Mar. 14
How despite a loss, Independence found joy in three-year TSSAA basketball state tournament run

Independence tough defense wasn't enough to hold off Whitehaven as the defending Class 4A state champs lost in TSSAA basketball state quarterfinal.
Yahoo Sports - 9h
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 - 6d
How Abigail Netherton's last-second shot made TSSAA girls basketball history for Van Buren

Van Buren County will play for a historic TSSAA girls basketball state championship after beating Coalfield on Abigail Netherton's last-second shot.
Yahoo Sports - 6d
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 - 6d
Why Oak Ridge's stunning loss to Bartlett in TSSAA basketball state tournament was so emotional

Bartlett defeated Oak Ridge 52-50 in the TSSAA girls basketball state tournament Class 4A quarterfinals on Thursday.
Yahoo Sports - Mar. 14
How Cortez Graham-Howard plans to flip Hillsboro's TSSAA basketball state tournament fortunes

Cortez Graham-Howard is getting a second shot at the TSSAA boys basketball state tournament and isn't about to waste it.
Yahoo Sports - 11h
Wauwatosa East survives first triple-OT state tournament game in WIAA history to win D2 title

In the first triple-overtime game in WIAA state girls basketball tournament history, Wauwatosa East captured its first state crown in 44 seasons.
Yahoo Sports - 5d
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 - Mar. 14
Ayoka Lee set to return for K-State in the NCAA Tournament

When Kansas State women's basketball takes the court in the NCAA Tournament this week, they'll welcome the return of Ayoka Lee. The Wildcats, a No. 5 seed in the Spokane Regional, will play No. 13 ...
Yahoo Sports - 3d
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 - 1d
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 - 1d
Why East's Maurice Miller was confident of future after TSSAA basketball state tournament loss

After a season full of early struggles and questions about his hire, Maurice Miller's East basketball group ultimately proved themselves worthy.
Yahoo Sports - 13h
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 - 5d
Bedford girls basketball aims for first trip to state semis at Breslin

Bedford girls basketball looks to make school history in final stages of Division 1 state tournament.
Yahoo Sports - 4d
How Rick Barnes, Bruce Pearl have sparked Oak Ridge's TSSAA basketball state tournament run

Oak Ridge coach Aaron Green has gotten good luck messages from Vols coach Rick Barnes and Auburn coach Bruce Pearl during the TSSAA basketball postseason.
Yahoo Sports - 10h
'Focused' Heels stomp Aztecs, critics in First 4

RJ Davis had 26 points on 8-of-12 shooting as North Carolina, criticized around college basketball this week for landing a berth in the NCAA tournament, stomped San Diego State 95-68 in a First ...
ESPN - 1d
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 - 2d
TSSAA boys basketball state tournament 2025: Live updates from Thursday's quarterfinals

The Tennessee high school boys basketball state tournament moves into Thursday's Class 3A and 4A quarterfinal games. Follow along with our live updates.
Yahoo Sports - 1d
Class A State Basketball Tournament in Billings

Mar. 14—Action from Northwest A teams at the Class A State Basketball Tournament in Billings March 13-15. Bigfork's Braeden Gunlock (21) drives to the basket in the first half against Lewistown at ...
Yahoo Sports - 6d
Lady Vols' NCAA Tournament basketball history

A look at Tennessee's women's basketball history in the NCAA Tournament.
Yahoo Sports - 4d
How adversity, doubters pushed Bartlett girls basketball back to TSSAA state title game

Bartlett girls basketball dominated Cookeville in a wire-to-wire victory to return to the TSSAA 4A state title game.
Yahoo Sports - 6d
How Whitehaven found enough to silence defending TSSAA basketball state champs in Independence

Even with a slow start, Mr. Basketball winner proved the deciding factor in Whitehaven's TSSAA state quarterfinal win.
Yahoo Sports - 9h
Alabama State basketball punches NCAA Tournament ticket with SWAC conference title

With its 60-56 win over Jackson State in Saturday's SWAC Tournament, Alabama is heading to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in 14 years.
Yahoo Sports - 5d
March Madness is coming to OKC in 2026: History of NCAA Tournament games in Oklahoma

The men’s basketball NCAA Tournament opens Thursday and Friday in first-round sites near and far. Next year it’s Oklahoma City’s turn.
Yahoo Sports - 2d
Marshfield hoops punches ticket to state basketball tournament, ends 31-year drought

An inside look on how Marshfield coach Chris Fischer and the tigers made history
Yahoo Sports - 2d
Lancaster Bruins win first state championship in boys’ basketball

The Lancaster Bruins boys’ basketball team has made history by winning their first state championship, marking a significant achievement for Lancaster High School.
Yahoo Sports - Mar. 13
NFL free agency 2025: Safety Damar Hamlin stays with Bills, agreeing to 1-year deal

Hamlin will forever be a part of Buffalo sports history for coming back after suffering cardiac arrest on the field in 2023.
Yahoo Sports - Mar. 12
Social media reactions to Florida's SEC Tournament Quarterfinals win over Missouri

The Gator Nation reacts after Florida basketball's 95-81 win over the Missouri Tigers in the quarterfinals of the SEC Tournament on Friday.
Yahoo Sports - 6d
Davis perfect on six 3s as North Carolina routs San Diego State 95-68 in First Four

Davis’ six 3-pointers tied Caleb Love’s program record for an NCAA Tournament game.
Yahoo Sports - 2d
Albany wins first game of 2025 Minnesota state boys basketball tournament

Albany beat Pelican Rapids by 23 points Tuesday in the quarterfinal of the Class 2A Minnesota state basketball tournament. The Huskies will play Friday.
Yahoo Sports - 2d
March Madness: Davis perfect on six 3s as North Carolina routs San Diego State 95-68 in First Four

RJ Davis and his North Carolina teammates certainly looked as though they belonged in the NCAA Tournament on Tuesday night. Davis scored 26 points and shot 6 of 6 from 3-point range to help the ...
Yahoo Sports - 2d
Fashion-retailer Forever 21 files for bankruptcy for a second time

Forever 21's U.S. retail operator plans liquidation sales after filing Chapter 11 for the second time in six years.
CBS News - 4d
Golden State Warriors jersey history - No. 8 - Tom Gugliotta (1994-95)

During his time suiting up for the Warriors, Gugliotta wore only jersey No. 12 and put up 10.9 points, 7.4 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and 1.3 steals per game.
Yahoo Sports - 4d