Early Risers

Young Rebels not afraid to win it all

Senior Alex Akard anchors a Maryville team looking for its first basketball state championship since 2007.

By Stefan Cooper
Editor
Blount Press Row

If you’re pulling for Maryville, and you’re not an early riser, the luck of the draw for Wednesday morning in Murfreesboro sure got your attention.

The Rebels (26-7) open against Cookeville (30-3) at the Class AAAA state basketball tournament at Middle Tennessee State University. It’s not the easiest of draws, the Cavaliers ranked No. 2 in the state in one recent poll.