FHS basketball players show up to support coach’s daughter
February 4, 2026 by Jake Nichols
It was a simple act of kindness — one that would have never been seen if not for one social media post. Thanks to J.P. Burris, though, his Farragut basketball players’ caring moment went public. And the ripple effect extends far beyond the court inside the Admirals’ home gym.
“Basketball is going to end one day, and those guys will go on to be unbelievable husbands, fathers and members in this community,” Burris said. “That is a testament to them. It is not anything I’ve done.”
For Burris and his guys, the moment in question began well before Saturday, Jan. 10. In fact, one could even trace it back to his start at Farragut High School in 2022.
Upon his arrival from Hardin Valley, Burris — then less than a decade removed from his own playing career at Maryville College — connected with his new players.
“He came in our freshman year, so we’ve been with him all four years,” said senior center Reid Vining. “This is probably the best team we’ve had in terms of everyone being together.
“We break it down on family, and he wouldn’t even let some other teams do that because he didn’t think they meant it. We’ve all been playing together since eighth grade, so it really is a family.”
With that in mind, it’s easy to see why Burris’ daughter, Briar, would be at practice. She drops by to spend time with her dad and his players when she has a break from her own youth basketball practices. Recently, that latter part sparked a question from the 7-year-old.
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February 4, 2026 by Tammy Cheek
Darrell Bryan has seen decades of change in the radio business — from spinning vinyl records to the rise of FM radio and digital automation.
Bryan, director of sales and programming for WFIV-FM (West 105), which serves Farragut, West Knox County and Loudon County, shared stories from his long broadcasting career during a Rotary Club of Farragut meeting Wednesday, Jan. 21, at Fox Den Country Club.
“In the mornings, I’m in a little room — about 6 by 8 — and I’m the only person there, so I like to see a lot of people,” he told club members. “I’m going to tell you about the radio business and how it’s changed over the years.”
Bryan began his radio career in the early 1970s at WEZK-FM (97.5) in Knoxville, located on Sharp’s Ridge.
“My first job was loading tapes,” he said. “A keypunch operator would give me cards to put in trays, and that’s all I did.”
He also recorded weather forecasts for a Sears weather line that listeners could call for up-to-date conditions.
“There were no cell phones in the ’70s,” Bryan said. “People really depended on the radio. That was how they got their news.”
One memorable morning, he had to report for a New Year’s Day shift during icy conditions.
“At Sharp’s Ridge, it was about an 85- to 90-degree hill going up to the station,” he recalled. “They had a Jeep, but it was broken down. I had to walk up that hill around 5:30 a.m., and I basically fell up it — it was that slick and that steep.”
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