Week ending Feb. 15

Troutt, Ervin pace teams into championship games

Alcoa’s Hannah Troutt sets the offense during the win over Fulton earlier this season. Photo by Brandon Shinn

Blake Ervin busts a move against Farragut. Photo by Jolanda Jansma

Hannah Troutt has been Alcoa’s go-to player all season.

Last Friday, Blake Ervin hit one of the biggest shots in Heritage High School history.

Most importantly, the Barley’s/Blount Press Row Players of the Week have their teams in their respective district championship games when the weather abates and we finally get to play again.

Troutt began her week with a 15-point, five-rebound and 9-steal outing in 57-34 dismantling of Carter on the final night of the regular season. With the Lady Tornadoes entering the District 4AA Tournament at Catholic last week as the No. 1 seed, Troutt powered an early Alcoa burst against Scott County with seven points and seven boards. A 54-40 semifinal win lifted the Lady Tornadoes into the championship game.

Alcoa meets No. 2-seed Christian Academy of Knoxville for the title on Friday at 7.

The Mountaineers hadn’t reached a district title game since 1978, the first year of the school, until Ervin put them there on Friday at Maryville. The junior’s 8-footer off the glass with four seconds left lifted Heritage to a 55-54 win over host and top-seed Maryville in a District 4AAA semifinal.

The Mountaineers inbounded in backcourt with 11 seconds left, point guard Andrew Pryor bringing the ball across the time before feeding Ervin just below the foul line. Spinning to his left, Ervin banked in a tough look for the go-ahead points. A Keenan block at the other end sealed victory at the horn.

Heritage meets state No. 2-ranked Bearden in a rescheduled championship game Thursday at 7:30.