Former Vol JaJuan Smith named head coach at Catholic.
Former Vol JaJuan Smith has been named head coach for boys basketball at Catholic High School in Knoxville, Tennessee.
Smith began the 2023-24 season as Catholic’s assistant head coach. He was appointed as interim head coach after first-year head coach Gabe Blair took a leave of absence during the regular-season.
Smith played for the Vols from 2004-08. He appeared in 126 games at Tennessee, averaging 11 points, 3.2 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.5 steals per game.
The former Vol was named to the SEC’s All-Defensive team during his senior season and helped Tennessee advance to the 2008 Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament.
Former Vol JaJuan Smith records state tournament victory.
Former Vol JaJuan Smith and Catholic High School (Knoxville, Tennessee) won in the first-round of the TSSAA Division II-AA Tournament on Wednesday.
Catholic (16-13) defeated Christ Presbyterian Academy (Nashville, Tennessee), 81-73, in Knoxville.
Smith is Catholic’s interim head coach while first-year head coach Gabe Blair is on a leave of absence.
Christ Presbyterian Academy (7-18) led, 40-36, at halftime.
“I always preach that basketball is a game of runs,” Smith said. “I knew we would make our run. We never lost focus.
“We want the other team to make their run early. I told the guys that the (regular) season is over, and we already know what to do, and tonight, I feel like we really grew up.”
Smith played for the Vols from 2004-08. He appeared in 126 games at Tennessee, averaging 11 points, 3.2 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.5 steals per game.
Smith was named to the SEC’s All-Defensive team during his senior season and helped the Vols advance to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament in 2008.
Catholic will next play in Saturday’s state quarterfinals at Webb School in Knoxville.
“They’re a good team and they won our conference,” Smith said. “It will be a great game and a great atmosphere and we’re looking forward to playing them again.”
Tennessee 2023 signee Daniel Parris and Catholic baseball advance to state championship game.
Catholic High School (Knoxville Tennessee) defeated Lipscomb Academy (Nashville, Tennessee), 6-4, in the TSSAA Division II-AA state baseball tournament Wednesday in Lebanon, Tennessee.
Tennessee 2023 utility player signee Daniel Parris hit a two-run home run for Catholic in the seventh inning, ending a 4-4 tie against. He was 2-for-4, recording two runs and three RBIs in the game.
Catholic (29-9) will next play Christ Presbyterian Academy (Nashville, Tennessee) in the state championship game at Middle Tennessee State University’s Reese Smith Jr. Field in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
First pitch is slated for 1:30 p.m. EDT. A second game will be played if Christ Presbyterian wins.
Parris was 0-for-3 in Catholic’s 2-0 win against Christ Presbyterian in Tuesday’s state tournament contest.
