The Blaze just got a major upgrade. Coach Will Hester is officially taking over at Blackman High School. He’s building a staff, evaluating talent, and getting ready to bring that championship energy back to Rutherford County.

The Blaze just got a major upgrade. Coach Will Hester is officially taking over at Blackman High School. He&rsquo;s building a staff, evaluating talent, and getting ready to bring that championship energy back to Rutherford County.

Growing up in a coaching family and now the owner of Mathews Team Sports, Tate Mathews brings a unique perspective to High School Sports Saturday.

With over fifteen years in the sporting goods industry in Middle Tennessee working with and for high school administrators and coaches, Tate’s relationships provide insight into middle Tennessee high school athletics.

High School Sports Saturday covers each sport during their respective competitive seasons.  Coaches, administrators, TSSAA officials and student-athletes are interviewed each week at 8 AM on 104-5 The Zone.

High School Sports Saturday with Tate Mathews

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HSSS - Will Hester

Tate Is joined by Coach Kevin McMillan, head women's basketball coach at UT Martin, is joined by his long-time friend and Hall of Famer, Coach John Wild. Coach McMillan reflects on his unconventional start in coaching women's basketball, which began at the age of 23 when the head girls' coach at Millington, Ruth Ann Hicks, unexpectedly stepped down and recommended him for the position. Since then, McMillan has built an impressive career, including 435 high school wins and 307 wins during his 16-year tenure at UT Martin, the third-highest in OVC history.

The coaches also discuss the evolving landscape of women's basketball, noting the dramatic improvements in skill level and athleticism over the last few decades. They delve into the impact of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) and the transfer portal, with Coach McMillan expressing his concerns about the shift toward financial motivations and the increasing role of agents in the recruiting process. Despite these changes, McMillan attributes much of his success to the "fundamental base of kids" in Tennessee, emphasizing their toughness and hard-nosed work ethic as a key driver of his team's achievements.

Tate Is joined by Coach Kevin McMillan, head women's basketball coach at UT Martin, is joined by his long-time friend and Hall of Famer, Coach John Wild. Coach McMillan reflects on his unconventional start in coaching women's basketball, which began at the age of 23 when the head girls' coach at Millington, Ruth Ann Hicks, unexpectedly stepped down and recommended him for the position. Since then, McMillan has built an impressive career, including 435 high school wins and 307 wins during his 16-year tenure at UT Martin, the third-highest in OVC history.
The coaches also discuss the evolving landscape of women's basketball, noting the dramatic improvements in skill level and athleticism over the last few decades. They delve into the impact of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) and the transfer portal, with Coach McMillan expressing his concerns about the shift toward financial motivations and the increasing role of agents in the recruiting process. Despite these changes, McMillan attributes much of his success to the "fundamental base of kids" in Tennessee, emphasizing their toughness and hard-nosed work ethic as a key driver of his team's achievements.

HSSS-Kevin McMillan and John Wild

Welcome to a brand-new episode of High School Sports Saturday with Tate Mathews! In this special edition, we celebrate the Basketball Coaches Association of Tennessee (BCAT) All-Star weekend, starting with an insightful look into the association's massive growth from 300 to over 1,600 members. Tate is joined by BCAT Executive Director Coach Bruce Slatten,  Coach Dexter Williams, and Coach Jim "Jimmy Mack" McDowell to discuss the organization's evolution and the massive success of their summer team camps. The episode takes a prestigious turn as we honor the 2026 Hall of Fame induction class, featuring legendary coaches Michael Dodgen, Kevin McMillan, Troy Allen, Jody Wright, and Bobby McWilliams. These coaching icons sit down for a roundtable discussion to delve into their storied careers, the unique cultures of their respective schools, and the philosophies that paved their paths to greatness.

The conversation shifts from the sidelines to the hardwood as Tate welcomes standout point guards Ava Jared of Lipscomb Academy and Ty Cobb of Upperman High School. Ava reflects on her journey to the state championship game and her commitment to Western Carolina University, while Ty shares his experiences as a state champion and his future with Liberty University. The athletes pull back the curtain on their elite training regimens, including the discipline required to make 500 shots a day. Finally, Hall of Fame inductee Michael Dodgen breaks down the evolution of the girls' game, his signature high-octane offensive style, and his deep ties to the Tennessee basketball community. From humorous reflections on shared histories to the rise of "above the rim" play, this episode captures the heart and hustle of Tennessee high school hoops.

Welcome to a brand-new episode of High School Sports Saturday with Tate Mathews! In this special edition, we celebrate the Basketball Coaches Association of Tennessee (BCAT) All-Star weekend, starting with an insightful look into the association's massive growth from 300 to over 1,600 members. Tate is joined by BCAT Executive Director Coach Bruce Slatten,&nbsp; Coach Dexter Williams, and Coach Jim "Jimmy Mack" McDowell to discuss the organization's evolution and the massive success of their summer team camps. The episode takes a prestigious turn as we honor the 2026 Hall of Fame induction class, featuring legendary coaches Michael Dodgen, Kevin McMillan, Troy Allen, Jody Wright, and Bobby McWilliams. These coaching icons sit down for a roundtable discussion to delve into their storied careers, the unique cultures of their respective schools, and the philosophies that paved their paths to greatness.
The conversation shifts from the sidelines to the hardwood as Tate welcomes standout point guards Ava Jared of Lipscomb Academy and Ty Cobb of Upperman High School. Ava reflects on her journey to the state championship game and her commitment to Western Carolina University, while Ty shares his experiences as a state champion and his future with Liberty University. The athletes pull back the curtain on their elite training regimens, including the discipline required to make 500 shots a day. Finally, Hall of Fame inductee Michael Dodgen breaks down the evolution of the girls' game, his signature high-octane offensive style, and his deep ties to the Tennessee basketball community. From humorous reflections on shared histories to the rise of "above the rim" play, this episode captures the heart and hustle of Tennessee high school hoops.

High School Sports Saturday with Tate Mathews 3- 28- 26

Tate is joined by guest Ava Jarrett, a senior point guard from Lipscomb Academy, and Ty Cobb, a point guard for the Upperman Bees. The conversation centers on their recent high school basketball seasons, highlighting Ava’s journey to the state championship game at F&M Bank Arena and Ty’s experiences as a state champion sophomore and semifinalist junior. Both athletes share insights into their recruitment processes, with Ava detailing her commitment to Western Carolina University and Ty discussing his future with Liberty University. They also provide a glimpse into their rigorous off-season training regimens, which involve making between 400 and 500 shots per day to maintain their elite level of play.

The segment also features Michael Dodgen, a veteran basketball coach and recent Hall of Fame inductee with a career spanning White, Cannon, and Smith Counties. Coach Dodgen reflects on his coaching philosophy, emphasizing a fast-paced offensive style that averages 24 to 25 three-point attempts per game. He also discusses the significant evolution of the girls' basketball game over the last decade, noting the increased athleticism and the rise of players capable of playing "above the rim." The episode concludes with a tribute to the deep-rooted community connections in Tennessee basketball, underscored by the host's humorous exchange with Coach Dodgen about their shared history at Farragut High School.

Tate is joined by guest Ava Jarrett, a senior point guard from Lipscomb Academy, and Ty Cobb, a point guard for the Upperman Bees. The conversation centers on their recent high school basketball seasons, highlighting Ava&rsquo;s journey to the state championship game at F&amp;M Bank Arena and Ty&rsquo;s experiences as a state champion sophomore and semifinalist junior. Both athletes share insights into their recruitment processes, with Ava detailing her commitment to Western Carolina University and Ty discussing his future with Liberty University. They also provide a glimpse into their rigorous off-season training regimens, which involve making between 400 and 500 shots per day to maintain their elite level of play.
The segment also features Michael Dodgen, a veteran basketball coach and recent Hall of Fame inductee with a career spanning White, Cannon, and Smith Counties. Coach Dodgen reflects on his coaching philosophy, emphasizing a fast-paced offensive style that averages 24 to 25 three-point attempts per game. He also discusses the significant evolution of the girls' basketball game over the last decade, noting the increased athleticism and the rise of players capable of playing "above the rim." The episode concludes with a tribute to the deep-rooted community connections in Tennessee basketball, underscored by the host's humorous exchange with Coach Dodgen about their shared history at Farragut High School.

HSSS - Will Hester

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