The Jackson County Blue Devils boys basketball team looking for its first-ever state championship berth.
Jackson County Schools Director of Schools Jason Hardy said the team’s tournament run has united the entire district from the elementary level up to the high school. The community gathered around the courthouse square in downtown Gainesboro to send the players off on a painted bus before their quarterfinal game Thursday.
“You know, that just makes people want to go out and strive to be successful that just because you’re from a small town in the Upper Cumberland in rural Tennessee doesn’t mean that you can’t be successful,” Hardy said. “So it just again has a pride and a sense of belonging for all of our community, all of our students, young and old, and we’re just so happy that we’re in this position.”
Hardy said fans of all ages drove an hour and a half to Murfreesboro to support the team during an 8:45 game on a weekday night. The players have developed strong chemistry after starting and playing together for the last three years.
“So they’re just have that sense of pride that we’re we’re not just students here at elementary school or middle school, we’re we’re Blue Devils through and through and one of these days that could be us,” Hardy said. “So just a again, a great sense of community and belonging when the boys basketball team’s having this much success.”
Hardy said success in extracurricular activities bleeds over into academic success and improves the overall culture of the school environment. Teachers and students both want to be in the building when the athletic programs are performing well.
“So we’re going for the second time in school history to the final four of the state and we’re hoping to do something that’s never been done in Jackson County boys basketball history and that’s win the final four game and go compete for a championship tomorrow at Murfreesboro,” Hardy said.
Hardy said the program had never won a game in the boys basketball TSSAA state tournament until last year. The team reached the final four during that previous run but ultimately suffered a loss.
“We know sports isn’t everything, but again, that translates into everything that we strive to do in our everyday life is just to give it our all and be successful,” Hardy said.
The Blue Devils will play their semi-final game today with the opportunity to advance to tomorrow’s championship.