KNOXVILLE — When IMG Academy basketball player Jaden Springer was introduced before the Ascenders’ game at Knoxville Catholic High School Saturday afternoon, the Irish faithful showered him with a chorus of “Rocky Top.”
After that, the Irish fans rooted hard for the University of Tennessee signee as their team fought valiantly.
KCHS would prove to be a formidable foe, but the Ascenders would leave Knoxville with a 68-53 victory before a spirited capacity crowd.
Catholic is one of the Volunteer State’s top basketball teams and Springer, a North Carolina product playing high school basketball in Florida, had his hands full on the defensive end of the floor as he had to guard Irish sophomore B.J. Edwards, one of Tennessee’s top prospects.
Springer, who will play in the McDonald’s All-American Game in May, scored 13 points in Knoxville. Edwards finished with 17 for Catholic, which has two more uncommitted Division I prospects in senior forward Akeem Odusipe and sophomore center Handje Tamba.
The Irish fans might have cheered the future Vol before the game, but once things got underway, Springer was booed on the final play before halftime when he was fouled on a 3-point attempt. He made all three free throws to give the Ascenders (14-4) a 35-23 lead at halftime.
Springer said he was thrilled to play in East Tennessee and said that he was friends with some of the players for Catholic (15-4).
“We play a lot of our games in front of big crowds,” said Springer. “But it was great when they sang Rocky Top.
“I know a lot of the Catholic guys because we all play AAU together. They have a great team and those guys are great players. The whole atmosphere and the whole experience were just great.”
Springer also noted that he didn’t feel any extra pressure while playing in Knoxville.
“There wasn’t a lot of pressure,” he said. “There never is when you have great teammates like I have.”
