Leading The Way

WB’s McGuire, Maryville’s Upchurch lead teams to big weeks

William Blount senior Abbey McGuire flips in a final layup before second half play begins on Friday. Photos by Wallace Bowden

By Stefan Cooper
Editor
Blount Press Row

Abbey McGuire and Easton Upchurch, the Barley’s/Blount Press Row Players of the Week, have their respective teams right in the thick of things as the district schedule heats up.

McGuire, a senior shooting guard, went for a double-double of 16 points and 12 rebounds in a 61-57 loss at district-frontrunner Bearden on Tuesday. The numbers pop when you consider McGuire connected on three 3-pointers to go with the rebounding. Her three steals helped keep the Lady Governors within striking distance of the Lady Bulldogs, whose unblemished record (16-0, 7-0) speaks to a formidable squad.

William Blount rebounded with a 66-57 win over Maryville on Friday. McGuire poured in 10 of her team-best 14 points in the seconds half, including a trey to open the fourth quarter to give the Lady Governors a double-digit advantage.

The Lady Governors, third in the District 4AAA standings, host Farragut on Tuesday.

Rebel guard Easton Upchurch looks for space against William Blount on Friday.

The Rebels swept during a tough week of three games in four days against Farragut, Alcoa and William Blount. Upchurch was front and center in each one.

Maryville routed Farragut, 80-49, on Tuesday at James Campbell Gymnasium, Upchurch opening a big week with 17 points. Two days later, the Rebels prevailed in a 77-75 thriller at Alcoa on Thursday. Picking his spots, the Maryville shooting guard was there among the leaders with 15 points and four steals.

A day later, the Rebels still had their shooting legs in a 66-49 win at William Blount. Upchurch closed the week with his best performance of the three-game run, going for 20 points and seven rebounds to go with four assists.

Maryville, atop the district standings with a 5-1 mark, travels to Bearden on Tuesday.