Sumner County Teams Climb Rankings As Postseason Battle Intensifies

With the postseason fast approaching, Sumner Countys top boys basketball teams and standout players are making their final case for greatness.

As the Tennessee high school basketball regular season winds into its final stretch-with less than three weeks to go and a January ice storm adding a twist to the schedule-the postseason picture in Sumner County is starting to take shape. From dominant district leaders to standout individual performances, there’s no shortage of storylines as we head into crunch time. Let’s break down the top boys basketball teams in the county and spotlight the players putting up big-time numbers in scoring, rebounding, assists, and steals.

Sumner County’s Top 5 Boys Teams

Beech (20-2, 6-0 District 7-4A)
Beech is rolling.

The Buccaneers haven’t dropped a game to an in-state opponent since December, and they’re making it look easy. With Wofford signee Cutter Sisk leading the charge and Mari Bowman, a transfer from Chattanooga Prep, adding firepower, Beech has won 16 of its last 17 games.

Even more impressive? All six of their district wins have come by double digits.

This team is not just winning-they’re dominating.

JPII (16-6, 4-2 Division II-AA Middle Region)
The return of Jarron Talley in January gave the Knights a noticeable boost, sparking a three-game win streak before a tough loss to Brentwood Academy.

But with Trey Pearson, a four-star point guard, Osby Cavin, a Montevallo commit, and Talley all healthy and producing, JPII has the pieces to make a serious postseason run. Don’t be surprised if they’re still playing deep into February.

Westmoreland (16-3, 3-1 District 6-2A)
Westmoreland edges out neighboring Portland in the rankings thanks to a one-point win in their December matchup.

Head coach Cherie Abner is on the cusp of a milestone, approaching 600 career victories. Her experience and leadership have the Eagles flying high once again.

Portland (17-4, 3-0 District 9-3A)
The Panthers are on a tear in 2026, undefeated since the calendar flipped to the new year.

Under Hall of Fame coach John Ferguson, they’re chasing what could be a record-setting season for wins. They currently share the top spot in their district with rival White House, setting up a must-watch race down the stretch.

Hendersonville (11-9, 4-3 District 7-4A)
Don’t count out the Commandos.

They’ve won the district three straight years, and while they currently sit fourth in the standings, they’ve proven they know how to peak at the right time. With recent wins over White House, Station Camp, and Liberty Creek, Hendersonville could be heating up just in time for another late-season push.


Sumner County Stat Leaders

Here’s a look at the players lighting up the stat sheet across four key categories:

Top Scorers (Points Per Game)

  • *Cutter Sisk (Beech, Sr.)
  • 23.5 PPG Sisk is doing it all for the Buccaneers.

A double-double machine who can score from anywhere on the floor, he’s the offensive engine behind Beech’s dominant run.

  • *Osby Cavin (JPII, Sr.) * - 18.1 PPG

Cavin brings consistent scoring and veteran leadership. His ability to create his own shot makes him a tough cover every night.

  • *Trey Pearson (JPII, Sr.) * - 17.5 PPG

Pearson isn’t just a playmaker-he’s a bucket. His scoring complements his passing perfectly, making him one of the most complete guards in the region.

  • Bennett Altepeter (Merrol Hyde, Jr.) - 16.6 PPG Altepeter is a rising star at Merrol Hyde, putting together an impressive junior campaign as a go-to scorer.
  • *Drew Massey (Liberty Creek, So.) * - 15.8 PPG

Only a sophomore, Massey is already making waves. He’s crafty and confident, and his scoring touch is ahead of his years.

Top Rebounders (Rebounds Per Game)

  • *Cutter Sisk (Beech, Sr.)
  • 10.3 RPG Not content with just leading in scoring, Sisk is also crashing the boards with authority.

He’s a true two-way force.

  • Keilen Dalton (Portland, Sr.) - 8 RPG Dalton brings toughness in the paint and is a key piece in Portland’s strong start to 2026.
  • Noah Beloney (Merrol Hyde, Sr.) - 8 RPG Beloney’s presence on the glass gives Merrol Hyde second-chance opportunities and helps set the tone defensively.
  • Carson Phillips (Westmoreland, Sr.) - 7.6 RPG Phillips is a steady contributor who helps Westmoreland control the tempo by owning the boards.
  • Louis Taylor (White House, Sr.) - 7.5 RPG Taylor’s rebounding gives White House a physical edge, especially in tight district matchups.

Top Playmakers (Assists Per Game)

  • *Trey Pearson (JPII, Sr.)
  • 4.7 APG Pearson’s court vision is elite.

Whether it’s a no-look dime or a perfectly timed lob, he makes everyone around him better.

  • Mari Bowman (Beech, Sr.) - 4.6 APG Bowman’s impact goes beyond scoring-he’s facilitating Beech’s offense with poise and precision.
  • Zander Hodge (Westmoreland, Jr.) - 4 APG Hodge is the glue guy for Westmoreland, setting up teammates and locking in on defense.
  • *Sam Plourde (Beech, Jr.) * & *Zach Wakefield (Gallatin, Jr.)
  • 3.9 APG Both juniors are making their mark as reliable ball-handlers and distributors.
  • *Talon Davenport (Liberty Creek, Jr.) * & *Liam Weybright (Station Camp, Jr.)
  • 3.2 APG Davenport and Weybright are steady hands in their respective backcourts, creating quality looks for their teams.

Top Defenders (Steals Per Game)

  • *Zander Hodge (Westmoreland, Jr.)
  • 3.2 SPG Hodge is a defensive disruptor, constantly in passing lanes and turning defense into offense.
  • *Trey Pearson (JPII, Sr.) * & *Mari Bowman (Beech, Sr.)
  • 2.7 SPG Both stars bring the heat on defense, showing just how complete their games really are.
  • *Osby Cavin (JPII, Sr.) * & *Trenton Quinn (White House, Jr.)
  • 2 SPG Cavin and Quinn give their teams a defensive edge, often guarding the opponent’s top scorer.
  • *Anthony Wiggins (JPII, Jr.) * & *Mont Seagraves (Hendersonville, Sr.)
  • 1.8 SPG Wiggins and Seagraves are high-motor defenders who bring energy and hustle every possession.

With district titles and playoff seeding on the line, every possession, rebound, and steal matters just a little more from here on out. Beech looks like the team to beat, but don’t sleep on the likes of JPII, Portland, or a surging Hendersonville squad. And with talents like Sisk, Pearson, and Cavin leading the charge, Sumner County basketball is delivering a show worth watching as we head into the final stretch of the regular season.