Editor’s Note: In this article… Wrap-ups of the girls’ and boys’ 2024-2025 basketball seasons, photo galleries, statistics from state championship games, tournament action and award photos and links to other stories written throughout the season by Hillsboro Globe staff. Photo Gallery Links are available to view through the “By the Years” tab at the top of the gallery on the home page – click here
Hillsboro Burros 2024-2025 Season
Full Photo Gallery of 2024-2025 Boys Basketball Season
TSSAA Boys Blue Cross Basketball Championship was held recently at the Murphy Center in Murfreesboro, TN on the campus of Middle Tennessee State University. Hillsboro Boys Basketball team won its first-ever Hillsboro boys basketball state championship, and this win ends the 44-year-old drought of large class MNPS schools winning at the highest level.
TSSAA, as the managing organization of sanctioned athletics for high school and middle school keep excellent statistics of all games played in the tournament from year to year. This category assesses the number of games played, total points scored, total number of rebounds, assists, steals blocks, turnovers, field goal percentage averaged with the total number of scorers for the BlueCross Basketball Championship games. This stat is not divided by class, meaning athletes are compared to all other players who participated at state this year.
Hillsboro had 2 top ten Scorers. Coming in at 6th in the tournament is Tyren Fisher, who also earned the prestigious award for MVP for tournament. Cortez-Graham-Howard placed 8th as a top performer.
Notable Accomplishments for the 2024-25 Basketball Season are:
- District 11-4A Champion, Cortez Graham-Howard MVP, Rodney Thweatt Coach of the Year (4th year in a row)
- Region 6-4A Champion, Cortez Graham-Howard MVP
- First Ever State Championship for Hillsboro High School
- First Ever 4A Mr. Basketball Finalist – Cortez Graham-Howard
- Team G.P.A. – 3.02
- My TV 30 Game of the Week Winner against the Overton Bobcats
- Two Top 10 Overall Performers at the championship tournament: #6 Tyren Fisher and #8 Cortez Graham-Howard
Hillsboro Lady Burros 2024-2025 Season
Full Photo Gallery of 2024-2025 Girls Basketball Season
The Hillsboro Lady Burros made a very deep run into the tournament barely missing an appearance at the Girls TSSAA Blue Cross State Basketball Championship by 10 points with a loss in the Sub-State game that is the determining game for state bids. The Lady Burros earned their fifth straight District 11-4A Championship and reached their second substate appearance in 5 years. Cherish Stringfield, the Lady Burros’s head coach was awarded her 5th straight Coach of the Year award.
Notable Accomplishments for the 2024-25 Basketball Season are:
District 11-4A Champion, Ebony Donaldson MVP, Cherish Stringfield Coach of the Year ( 5th in a row)
Region 6-4A Champion, Ebony Donaldson MVP
Recap of Hillsboro’s State Championship Games
Hillsboro 57, Oak Ridge 42 · Saturday, 3/21/2025
Hillsboro claimed the TSSAA Class 4A Boys’ State Championship Saturday night, defeating Oak Ridge 57-42 behind Cortez Graham-Howard’s 20-point performance and tournament MVP Tyren Fisher’s all-around brilliance. The Burros (34-5), who never trailed in the contest, weathered a second-quarter rally by Oak Ridge (31-4) that narrowed the gap to three points at halftime before pulling away in the second half. Ray’quan Watson scored a game-high 22 points for Oak Ridge, but Hillsboro’s defense held the Wildcats to just 36% shooting while blocking nine shots. On the boards, Tyren Fisher led all rebounders with 9 for Hillsboro, while also dishing out a game-high 5 assists. Oak Ridge’s Shamar Greene and Cooper Williams each grabbed 6 rebounds. Hillsboro converted Oak Ridge’s 11 turnovers into 10 points, while shooting a stellar 88% from the free-throw line (14-of-16) compared to Oak Ridge’s 67%.
Hillsboro 63, Bradley Central 48 · Friday, 3/20/2025
Photo Gallery
Game Stats
Xavier Washington scored 20 points on perfect 5-for-5 shooting from beyond the arc as Hillsboro defeated Bradley Central 63-48 in the Class 4A state tournament semifinals Friday night at Murphy Center. The Burros (33-5) weathered a second-quarter comeback from the Bears and a brief 25-24 deficit early in the third quarter before Washington ignited a decisive run with three consecutive three-pointers. Tyren Fisher showcased his all-around game with 13 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists, 6 blocks and 4 steals, while Cortez Graham-Howard added 16 points on efficient 7-for-9 shooting. Tyrese Stovall matched Washington with 20 points and 8 rebounds for Bradley Central (25-9), but the Bears couldn’t overcome Hillsboro’s 62% shooting performance.
Hillsboro 53, Maryville 47 · Thursday, 3/19/2025
Photo Gallery
Game Stats
Hillsboro weathered a furious Maryville comeback to secure a 53-47 victory in the state tournament quarterfinals at Murphy Center on Thursday. The Burros (32-5) built a commanding 26-15 halftime lead behind Cortez Graham-Howard’s 17 points and Lonny Holland’s 16 points off the bench. Maryville (24-13), led by Jonathon Woodlee’s 13 points, rallied in the second half and sliced the deficit to just three points with 1:40 remaining when Woodlee connected on a crucial three-pointer. However, Fisher’s fast-break layup with 1:06 left pushed the lead back to seven, helping Hillsboro (32-5) withstand the late charge. The Burros’ dominance on the glass with a 28-20 rebounding advantage and efficient 79% free-throw shooting proved key in advancing to the Friday night’s semifinal round.
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