Rocky Top League Features Local Talent

If you live anywhere near Knoxville and you are a fan of basketball, the Rocky Top League at Bearden High School is a CAN’T MISS.

The Rocky Top League consists of 6 teams comprised mostly of college players (see rosters below). There are also a few exceptional local players along with Jalen Rose from the Suns so it’s a great opportunity to see a lot of incredible talent. From what I hear, Jalen is only going to make a few games. These 6 teams play each Monday and Wednesday in the Bearden gym from 6 – 10:30 until July 18. The July 4th games will be played on July 5th instead.

I went with my 2 sons last Monday and watched a couple of games and it was the best money I’ve ever not spent (it’s free admission). If you go – and I highly suggest you do – here are some tips:

- Get there a little early. Parking is at a premium but it’s free.
- The gym is in the back of the school so park in the back if you can.
- The gym is not heated so dress accordingly – flip-flops, tank top, etc.
- Bring a few bucks for waters or a drink from the concession stand.
- If you have a small hand fan (the kind they give out at funerals), bring it. Did I mention the gym is hot?
- Bring a camera. You’re right next to the players so there are plenty of opportunities to get good shots.
- If you’re into autographs, bring items you want signed. The players are more than willing to sign anything you’ve got (within reason of course). I think they even expect it. We didn’t have a pen handy but most the players did.
I’m serious folks, it’s some of the best fun you’ll have. You can sit right next to the floor and see these guys play up close. Since it’s a rec league, the refs let ‘em play so it’s extremely physical and there is a lot of show-boating. I witnessed some truly nasty slams by Crews and T. Smith from UT.

Here’s a roster and schedule I found online so take it for what it’s worth.

Rocky Top League Rosters

Team: Knoxville News-Sentinel, Coach Andy Rines
Tyler Smith, J.P. Prince, Andrew Reed (ETSU), Omar Wattad (Georgetown), Tony White Jr (College of Charleston), Scott Williams (Carson-Newman), Cameron Sharp (Carson-Newman), Adam Plavich (Carson-Newman), Chauncey Thompson (Carson-Newman), Keith Bauer (Roane State).

Team: HT Group, Coach Pat Walden
Duke Crews, Ryan Childress, Brian Williams, Cameron Tatum, Alex Oliver (Alabama St), Ben Bosse (King College), Alex Bowers (Maryville College), Matt Parton (Transylvania), Darrell Dean (King College), Ryan Walden (Catholic)

Team: Kingston Alley, Coach Chad Smith
Wayne Chism, JaJuan Smith, Jalen Rose (Suns), Logan Johnson (Coastal Carolina), Stanley Asumnu, Raul Placeres (Maryville College), Justin Albrecht, Jordan Dixon (Carson-Newman), Rande Sibley (Anderson College), Chris Conner (Powell)

Team: Suntrust, Coach Kevin Feltner
Ramar Smith, Courtney Pigram (ETSU), Terrence Oglesby (Clemson), Rashard Lee, Kenyona Swader (ETSU), Jon Higgins, Justin Walker (Carson-Newman), Bernard King (Just Kidding), Zach Hyatte (Carson-Newman), Steven Pearl, Andy Hill (Milligan)

Team: First Tennessee, Coach Brent Watts
Ron Slay, Vincent Yarbrough, Jordan Howell, Josh Tabb, Mykail Vibbert (Cleveland State CC), Russell McNeal (Motlow State), Rob Zalucki (Tusculum), J.T. Blair (King College), Alex Wells (Motlow State), Ben Purcell (Sewanee)

Team: Toyota of Knoxville, Coach Rick Campbell
Chris Lofton, Dane Bradshaw, John Mueller (Marquette), Damon Johnson, Andy Tipton (Carson-Newman), Tom Gallaher (Radford), Tyler Gaskin (Tennessee Wesleyan), Cole Rose (Lee University), Nick Pasqua (King College), Ike Weaver (Tusculum)

SCHEDULE

MONDAY, JUNE 18
Knoxville News Sentinel vs. HT Group @ 6:00
Kingston Alley vs. SunTrust @ 7:30
1st Tennessee vs. Toyota @ 9:00
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 20
HT Group vs. Kingston Alley @ 6:00
SunTrust vs. 1st Tennessee @ 7:30
Knoxville News Sentinel vs. Toyota @ 9:00
MONDAY, JUNE 25
Kingston Alley vs. 1st Tennessee @ 6:00
HT Group vs. Toyota @ 7:30
Knoxville News Sentinel vs. SunTrust @ 9:00
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 27
Knoxville News Sentinel vs. Kingston Alley @ 6:00
HT Group vs. 1st Tennessee @ 7:30
SunTrust vs. Toyota @ 9:00
MONDAY, JULY 2
Kingston Alley vs. Toyota @ 6:00
SunTrust vs. HT Group @ 7:30
Knoxville News Sentinel vs. 1st Tennessee @ 9:00
THURSDAY, JULY 5
1st Tennessee vs. Toyota @ 6:00
Knoxville News Sentinel vs. HT Group @ 7:30
Kingston Alley vs. SunTrust @ 9:00
MONDAY, JULY 9
SunTrust vs. 1st Tennessee @ 6:00
Knoxville News Sentinel vs. Toyota @ 7:30
HT Group vs. Kingston Alley @ 9:00
WEDNESDAY, JULY 11
Kingston Alley vs. 1st Tennessee @ 6:00
Knoxville News Sentinel vs. SunTrust @ 7:30
HT Groupo vs. Toyota @ 9:00

MONDAY JULY 16
CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND
#3 vs.#4 @ 6:00
#1 vs.#2 @ 7:30

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