5 Jackson area high school storylines to watch entering TSSAA Spring Fling 2022
TSSAA's Spring Fling begins this week with the state tournaments for all spring sports being played in and around the Murfreesboro area.
Here are five West Tennessee storylines for fans to watch for this week as teams compete for state titles:
How McKenzie baseball became state tournament contender
The Rebels went 6-10 last season and lost in the region semifinals. Entering the state tournament this season, McKenzie (23-6) has won nine of their last 10 including the District 11-1A and Region 6-1A titles to advance to their first state tournament since 2006. McKenzie entered the postseason with four players batting .400 or higher and have outscored its last four opponents 50-9.
They will play University School-Johnson City on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m.
BASEBALL SCHEDULE: TSSAA baseball state tournament 2022 schedule for Spring Fling
High scoring Madison soccer team back again
The Mustangs make their third appearance in the state tournament in the last four years and are feeling much more confident now that their junior class has gained more experience. Juniors Donovan Pruitte and Braden Nye along with sophomore Jack Young all have 20 or more goals and 10 or more assists.
Pruitte leads the team with 34 goals. Madison (17-2) enters the tournament on a 12-game winning streak and have outscored its last six opponents 47-0. They will face Alcoa at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday at Richard Siegel Soccer Complex.
SOFTBALL SCHEDULE: TSSAA softball state tournament 2022 schedule for Spring Fling
Nationally-ranked Lexington softball eyes first title since 2013
The Lady Tigers enter the Class 2A tournament as the No. 13-ranked team in the nation according to MaxPreps and are on a 25-game winning streak. They are undefeated versus in-state opponents. Lexington (45-1) has finished as runners-up to Forrest in its last two state tournament appearances in 2019 and 2021.
The Lady Tigers have five players batting at least .400 and another batting .398. Cadey McDaniel, 31-1 record with a 1.27 ERA, will lead the way in the circle. Their first game will be versus Soddy Creek (34-7) at McKnight #2 on Tuesday at 4 p.m.
How will Jackson Christian softball fare without star pitcher
The Lady Eagles return to the state tournament for the second straight season and do so again with 10 of their 11 players from last season's team returning. Jackson Christian (29-6) enters the tournament on a 15-game winning streak with them limiting opponents to two runs or less in 10 of those wins.
They will be without star sophomore pitcher Maggie Richardson who was ejected for two games during the Division II-A quarterfinals. Richardson (27-4) has a 1.75 ERA and has pitched three perfect games this season.
Jackson Christian opens the double-elimination state tournament against defending DII-A state champion Columbia at 4 p.m. Wednesday at McKnight Park.
SCOCER SCHEDULE: TSSAA soccer state tournament schedule for 2022 Spring Fling
Camden's Elli Reynoldson and Will Douglas look to repeat as champs
Camden junior tennis player Elli Reynoldson dominated the girls Small Class singles state tournament last year, as she lost just five games in three matches on her way to the state title. She enters this year as the district champion and will face Summertown sophomore Libby Konig at the Adams Tennis Complex at 12:30 p.m. Thursday.
Junior track runner Will Douglas won the Small Class title in the 3,200 last season with a time of 9:39.18. He enters the state tournament with the seed time of 9:46.90, 21 seconds better than the next competitor. The Class A 3,200 will take place at 4 p.m. Tuesday.
This article originally appeared on Jackson Sun: TSSAA Spring Fling: 5 Jackson area high school storylines
