GRAY DEYOSports Writer

With the end of the 2024-2025 season came time for the District 8 3A All-District teams to be announced for both girls’ and boys’ basketball. Tullahoma was well represented with McLayne Bobo, Lizzy Sharpton, and Isabella Lidstrom making the team for the girls, while Khani Johnson and Xavier Farrell made it for the boys.

Lizzy Sharpton

The freshman guard for Tullahoma made her mark in her first year as a Lady Wildcat. A lot can happen when a first-year player gets thrown into the fire like Sharpton, with nerves often getting the better of younger players in her spot. For Sharpton however, she wasn’t really the one getting the nerves, she was often actually making her opponents fold up with her aggressive play.

The freshman showed that she is a formidable defender and rebounder for the ‘Cats. She is not afraid to come up with a scratch on her hand, or afraid to get a bruise on the eye, she will do whatever it takes to make the play that gives her team the best chance to win.

Her defense is her mainstay as a player, but her offense is coming along. She has a great three-point shot that she has continued to shoot with more confidence as the year has gone on. She also has shown some craftiness in carving a path into the paint to shoot some touch floaters.

She is a great player now, in three years…

Watch out.

“Her ability to make plays and make the big plays has been really impressive. When we need a big defensive stop, she gets a steal, deflection, or a big block. Lizzy does the same thing on the offensive end when we need a big play–she gets a big bucket or grabs a needed offensive rebound,” head coach of the Lady Wildcats Chad Hibdon said regarding what Sharpton has brought to his team this year.

Isabella Lidstrom

The Lady Wildcats senior forward has provided a little bit of everything for Tullahoma this year. She is a good three-pointer shooter, the team’s best low-post scorer, and one of the best rebounders on the team. She is never fazed by the moment and gives it her all every time she steps on the hardwood.

As a senior, she has not run away from that leadership role either. She is always vocal telling her team where they need to be, which has helped her team be in the best position they need to be to win.

Her skills and leadership have made her more than worthy of making the all-district team, and regardless of what happens in postseason play, it was a heck of a senior year for Lidstrom.

“Izzy has really had such a great second half of the season, and especially in district play. She has become more active with her scoring and rebounding during that time. With her size and how hard she plays, she really impacts the game on both offense and defense,” Hibdon said regarding what Lidstrom has provided for the ‘Cats this season.

McLayne Bobo

Not only did Bobo get named to the All-District team, but she was also named the MVP of the district. She ended the season as the Lady Wildcats’ leading scorer, which played a huge role in them clinching first place in their district with an 8-2 record.

The junior’s success came by no means easy this year, as a little less than midway through the season, teams began to key in on her in games. Lanes that were once open for Bobo were then shut off with opponents throwing multiple defenders at her. This test made her a better player as she has now figured out multiple avenues to affect a game. This has made it nearly impossible for teams to stop her when she steps on the court.

Bobo also added a huge accomplishment to her Lady Wildcat career this year as she reached 1,000 career points.

“She has continued to evolve as an elite scorer as well as distributing the ball more, and getting our team in good offensive situations. Her maturity at the point guard position is why we had a very successful regular season,” coach Hibdon said regarding what Bobo’s play has brought to the team this year.

Khani Johnson

The senior guard for Tullahoma wrapped up the regular season as the second-leading scorer for the Wildcats. His calm tempo, big shot making ability, and his thunderous dunks that sent fans into frenzies highlighted his last year as a Wildcat.

He can also change the game on a dime when he catches a heater in a game. If he sees one shot go in, teams better hope he does not see two. He can score in bunches and get the Wildcats back in a game, or simply win them a game in what feels like a split second.

His play was monumental in Tullahoma having their best record since the 1977-1978 season. His time here in Tullahoma will be missed, but it will be fun to watch Johnson’s dynamic offensive game for the entirety of a hopefully long Wildcat postseason run.

Xavier Farrell

The leading scorer for the Wildcats Farrell got rewarded with the MVP of the district. His consistent 20 and 30-point performances played an integral role in Tullahoma’s historic regular season.

He was a nightmare matchup for opponents, as he was a deadly three-point shooter, as well as a bulldozer who could maneuver his way through the paint, and had a soft touch when he got to the rim. He was always available and his high-level game helped Tullahoma overcome major injuries throughout the season.

He finishes his four-year career as a part of the 1,000-point club and looks to add some hardware to go along with his achievements, as the team begins their long road to state on Friday.

“Xa and Khani have had two of the best seasons I’ve ever at the pleasure to watch and coach.  They both play excellent defense, rebound, are coachable, and are team leaders.  They will both have great success after they graduate THS,” said head coach of Tullahoma Jason Welch said regarding what Johnson and Farrell brought to the Wildcats this year.

Jason Welch

The head coach of the Wildcats was also honored with an award along with his players. He was named the District 8 3A Coach of the Year.

 His pass-heavy offense, along with his inter-changing scheme defense consistently put opponents in tough spots, as his players ran his stuff at a high level all year. His knowledge of the game showed up in several big plays for the Wildcats this year, with his long coaching career being another formidable weapon in the Wildcats already lethal arsenal.

Players rally around good coaches, and the Tullahoma boys’ basketball team showed this year, that they are willing to go to war for Welch.