We're now entering the semifinals of the Sand Mountain Tournament at the Coliseum. There have been three upsets, but the #1 seeds are still standing.

1st Round Results (Varsity Boys)

#1 Geraldine Bulldogs 91 - #8 Section Lions 57

#2 Pisgah Eagles 43 - #7 Sylvania Rams 74

#3 Plainview Bears 48 - #6 North Sand Mountain Bison 63

#4 Fyffe Red Devils 56 - #5 Crossville Lions 46

1st Round Results (Varsity Girls)

#1 Pisgah Lady Eagles 61 - #8 North Sand Mountain Lady Bison 25

#2 Plainview Lady Bears 63 - #7 Fyffe Lady Red Devils 45

#3 Crossville Lady Lions 57 - #6 Ider Lady Hornets 66

#4 Section Lady Lions 75 - #5 Sylvania Lady Rams 42

Varsity Boys Matchups

#1 Geraldine (10-1) vs #4 Fyffe (2-3)

On Monday night Peyton Wilbanks put on a show with 25 points to lead the Red Devils over Crossville in the 1st Round. As great of a game as Wilbanks had, he'll have to have a better game on Friday night. The depth isn't there like it was last year for this Fyffe team, and they're going to have to find another scoring option other than Wilbanks to beat quality opponents. Stiefel is the obvious choice, and I have no doubt that he'll return to form. It's also difficult to criticize Stiefel just two weeks removed from a State record 47 TD football season, not to mention he had his wisdom teeth removed this week...but I'm not sure if he'll be in midseason form on Friday night.

Geraldine could do no wrong in their opener against Section and were headed well over the Century mark before Coach Black called the Dogs off. As strong as Wilbanks 25 points were for Fyffe, the lines that Zack Nelson and Cade White compiled were maybe even more impressive. I think the Bulldogs are a dangerous matchup for the new Fyffe zone defense, with Nelson drawing two and three defenders inside there should be plenty of open looks for Keylon Harris & Co.

Southern Torch Pick: Geraldine Bulldogs

Game Time: Friday at 7:30 PM

#6 North Sand Mountain (5-3) vs #7 Sylvania (4-4)

The Herd took it to the Cody Willingham-less (Flu) Bears for the first real upset of the tournament on Tuesday night. After losing 60-35 to Plainview at North Sand Mountain two weeks ago, the Bison took their revenge at the Coliseum. NSM's identity is to use the weave to get open looks and then out-tough teams in the paint. They'll need to be even tougher on Friday night to have a chance to beat the beefy Rams.

The tournament host Sylvania Rams went out and destroyed the 2-seed Pisgah Eagles to advance in to the semis. Caleb Haynes has been a machine over the last 2 weeks and put up a line that would make Tim Duncan proud.

Caleb Haynes:

• 28 points
• 11/12 FG
• 6/6 FT
• 8 Rebounds
• 2 Assists
• 1 block

If Haynes keeps controlling the paint and Cambron and "Grizzly" Adams continue to knock down big shots, Cinderella may be headed to the ball on Saturday night.

Southern Torch Pick: Sylvania Rams

Game Time: Friday at 6:00 PM

Varsity Girls Matchups

#1 Pisgah (6-2) vs #4 Section (8-2)

Ahh...a Jackson County grudge scrap in the Coliseum! The Lions knocked off the Eagles just over a week ago, 74-43, by hitting 17 three-pointers...17. Led by Morris and Bailey, the Lions can all shoot (obviously), but I have a feeling they'll need to be more physical to take down the 1-seed in the SMT...because it's difficult to count on another barrage like that from downtown. Having said that, they've won their last 3 games by 41, 30, and 33 points.

The Lady Eagles punished NSM on Monday night in a game that ended with a running clock (mercy rule). The vaunted Pisgah press mixed with the ability of Keely Ellison to takeover a game is a recipe for tournament success, but will they be able to defend the perimeter well enough to cool Section down. We may be in store for a barn burner in this one.

Southern Torch Pick: Section Lady Lions

Game Time: Thursday at 7:30 PM

#2 Plainview (10-2) vs #6 Ider (7-3)

The Lady Hornets handed Crossville the upset special on Tuesday night as the bank was open all night for Makenzie Hughes. Ider will have to sustain runs against a much tougher opponent this time around as they jumped out to a double digit lead multiple times only to quickly let the Lions back in the game. Ball security is priority #1 if Ider has any chance at another upset.

The Lady Bears have it rolling right now and cruised past Fyffe in the first round. The controlled chaos of the Plainview press may be more than Ider can handle, as the word "suffocating" comes to mind . Destiny Lowden, Savannah Willingham, and Olivia Graham will lead the charge for what may be the most physical team in the tournament...including the VB teams. The clock may run in this one...

Southern Torch Pick: Plainview Lady Bears

Game Time: Thursday at 6:00 PM

If you or someone you know can't make it to the Coliseum, Southern Torch has you covered with our LIVE broadcast!