Why there's no time for despair after Humboldt's TSSAA basketball state tournament loss
MURFREESBORO — Jeffrey Patterson exited the floor for the last time as a Humboldt boys basketball player frustrated, draping a towel over his head in sadness.
Patterson picked up his fifth foul in Humboldt's 65-59 loss to Chattanooga Prep (28-8) in the Class 1A TSSAA boys basketball state tournament semifinals at MTSU's Murphy Center, ending his Humboldt basketball career on the bench. He scored nine points in the loss.
“It just hit different. It hurt me,” Patterson said. “I couldn’t help the team. I couldn’t be there with them until it was :00 on the clock.”
Sad and painful? Sure. Disappointing? Not to the Vikings.
Coach Ron Abernathy said the Vikings (29-6) have plenty to be proud of during the 2024-25 season.
“There’s nothing negative I can find because we put in the work,” Abernathy said. “I love these kids for their effort and how they do it. There’s no regrets.”
The Vikings won the District 13-1A championship and Region 7-1A title on their way to qualifying for the state tournament for the first time since 2022 and earning their first win in the tournament since 2019 when Humboldt beat North Greene, 54-35, in Wednesday's quarterfinal.
Senior Kendrick Taylor scored eight points and only played 24 minutes in the game with foul trouble. He eventually fouled out with two seconds left. He had three personal fouls by the 7:08 mark of the second quarter and was forced to sit on the bench.
“(I was) just keeping my composure and cheering on my teammates,” Taylor said. “Encouraging them, telling them what to do, try to help them out. When you’re sitting on the bench you still got to make an impact.”
Darion Taylor led the Vikings with 14 points. Key'Vontay Wedley added 12 in the loss. Demarion Bowman led the Sentinels with 15 points.
Chattanooga Prep coach Christian Collins said the win over Humboldt was the hardest win the defending state champs have earned in the three years they’ve been playing at the TSSAA state tournament.
The toughness and tenacity the Vikings play with is what makes them a tough out in any tournament.
Abernathy, a veteran coach who spent time at LSU, Lane College in Jackson and now Humboldt, knows that respect means a great deal.
“When folks play Humboldt, win or lose, we want them to know you’re playing Humboldt,” Abernathy said. “Comments like that encourage you. I’ve been able to get that respect and be able to have my teams play well, play hard, play smart, play together, regardless of the outcome.”
Abernathy was asked if he believes the Vikings can return next season. His response was short: “Yes, I do.”
Austin Chastain is a sports writer covering West Tennessee high schools. Reach him by email at achastain@gannett.com or on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @ChastainAJ.
This article originally appeared on Jackson Sun: TSSAA boys basketball state tournament 2025: Humboldt falls in semifinal
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