From wow to now
Burris leads Farragut back to state
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Farragut coach J.P. Burris made his first Murphy Center appearance 16 years ago when he was a junior at Bearden High School. This week, Burris will lead the Admirals into the same building to open the Class 4A state tournament. - Photos Jake Nichols
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Farragut coach J.P. Burris celebrated a big play in the Class 4A sectional round. He will make his return to Murfreesboro this week, leading an Admiral team that is making its first state appearance since 1983. - Photos Jake Nichols
J.P. Burris still can recall the sheer size of the Murphy Center.
In March 2010, that was the aspect that stood out most to Burris, then a junior on a Bearden team that made the Class 3A state tournament at Middle Tennessee State University.
Now, 16 years later, Burris will lead the Farragut Admirals into that same arena for their first state tournament appearance in 43 years.
The Admirals (25-11) will tip off against Walker Valley (29-3) at 11 a.m. CT on Thursday, March 19, in the Class 4A quarterfinals. Tickets are available for $20 at the gate or $16.75 on GoFan.co.
Much like Farragut, the Mustangs are a veteran-laden team with six seniors and six juniors. After viewing the film, Burris noted WVHS guard Zach Davis — who wears no. 3 — will certainly be one to keep an eye on, as will big man Wyatt Keeton (4).
“They have really good guard play and are very similar to a Sevier County,” he said. “They will switch up what they’re doing, but they’re good at it, whether man or zone. They are very skilled offensively and they’re big and physical.”
Burris acknowledged the Mustangs will have a size advantage, which will reinforce the importance of players, such as Reid Vining and Britton Lewis down low.
“But they have four guys that can shoot it, too, so our perimeter defense will be just as important,” Burris noted. “Their two guard (Davis) is a three-level scorer. He is probably the tip of the spear for them, but the rest of their lineup is very capable, too.“
That sounds awfully similar to Farragut’s roster, which features plenty of scoring options in Parker Lane, Dan Lanning, Aidan Foshie and Matthew Dickens.
“When you’re down to the final eight teams, there’s no one there that’s not a good basketball team,” Burris summarized.
Aside from the X’s and O’s, the Admirals also have prepared from an administrative standpoint.
Burris and FHS athletic director Donald Dodgen went through a Zoom meeting with TSSAA officials last week. Burris noted that Dodgen, FHS girls coach Jason Mayfield and Dodgen’s son, White County girls coach Michael Dodgen, have all been helpful in making preparations.
“The basketball community in East Tennessee is pretty strong,” he said. “Even if it’s a lot of information and stress trying to get all that together, there’s several people that have made it easier and helped a great amount.”
The team leaves the school at 11 a.m. Wednesday, March 18, and will practice at Tennessee Tech, then the Ads will arrive at the Murphy Center that evening to take in the Alcoa game.
And when they arrive, Burris wants his players to have the same “wow” factor he did 16 years ago.
“I’ll be like a mom and make them take lots of pictures because I don’t think they’ll ever forget it,” Burris said. “I know it still resonates with me. We’re going for a business trip, but it is definitely one they have earned the right to enjoy.”
