Three Memphis-Shelby County Schools (MSCS) basketball teams are heading to the state tournament! Frederick Douglass High School in North Memphis, Middle College High School in Midtown, and Ridgeway High School in East Memphis will represent MSCS in the BlueCross Basketball Championships.

The first-round games for MSCS teams will take place on Wednesday, March 13, and Thursday, March 14, at the Charles M. Murphy Athletic Center on the campus of Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro. The Murphy Center's Monte Hale Arena, with nearly 12,000 seats, has hosted the state basketball tournaments since 1973.

While no MSCS girls' teams qualified for the state tournament this year, many had impressive seasons. This year’s tournament teams will try to return the “gold ball” to Memphis, following in the footsteps of Overton High School, which won the 2023 State Championship in the Class 4A division.

“We're thrilled to have three schools representing Memphis-Shelby County Schools at the BlueCross Basketball Championships,” said Interim Superintendent Toni Williams. “They’re continuing the legacy of Treadwell star Penny Hardaway and countless other great athletes who honed their skills on MSCS courts.”

Middle College, Ridgeway Aim for Repeat Success 

The Middle College Bulldogs (Class 1A) are making their first state tournament appearance after defeating Humboldt in a nail-biter. Led by Principal Kimberly Eason, Athletic Director Lenorris Staples, and Head Coach Patrick Mask, they hope to make a splash.

The Ridgeway Roadrunners (Class 3A) return to the tourney for a second consecutive year after a decisive 20-point victory over Bolivar Central High School. Led by Principal Phillip Nelson, Athletic Director Rhonda Kendall, and Head Coach Curtis Wooten, Ridgeway has a storied basketball history, winning four previous state titles, most recently in 2008. They're focused on redemption after falling short in last year's semifinals.

Douglass Red Devils Aim for Unfinished Business

The Douglass Red Devils (Class 2A) are entering the state tournament with an undefeated 33-0 record, punching their ticket with a commanding 53-point win over Milan High School.

For Douglass, this season is about unfinished business, said Principal Marketta Steward. Led by Athletic Director and Head Coach Gregory Williams, they fell one point short of a state title last year to champions Alcoa High School.

“They just stayed focused on their goal this year, which was getting back to the State Tournament,” Steward said. “They set their sights on that goal the Monday morning after our loss last year.”

Steward said the last home game was packed with alumni showing their Douglass pride in the school's colors maroon and white. She added that the support extends beyond basketball, encompassing the school's award-winning choir and many other achievements.

“We’re trying to teach our students to be focused and to be the change they want to see in their community,” said Steward, who has led the school since 2019. “One of our mottos is ‘high expectations over everything.’ ”

Douglass will join Middle College and Ridgeway in spending their Spring Break representing MSCS in Murfreesboro. Fans can stream games on https://tssaa.org/sports/basketball-boys. 

Here's the first-round schedule:

• Wednesday, March 13, 7:15 PM, Middle College vs. Gordonsville High School (Gordonsville)
• Thursday, March 14, 11 AM, Douglass vs. Austin-East High School (Knoxville)
• Thursday, March 14, 5:30 PM Ridgeway vs. David Crockett High School (Jonesborough)