Tennessee
What impressed ex-Lady Vols coach Kellie Harper about Tennessee’s win over Mississippi State
Former Lady Vols basketball coach Kellie Harper pinpointed the end of the second quarter as the reason for Tennessee’s win Thursday.
Harper, who was fired as the Lady Vols coach in April, has begun to make regular appearances in the SEC Network studio this season. She was on the desk again Thursday when No. 15 Tennessee beat Mississippi State 86-73 to kick off “We Back Pat” Week in the SEC.
“Once they got that cushion – they hit three 3s to end the second, they started the third with a three, and they maintained that cushion throughout the second half,” Harper said when asked what impressed her most about the win. “They played comfortable, they played very loose and very free in the that second half. Mississippi State didn’t gain on them – they didn’t lose – but they didn’t gain on them. They just couldn’t keep up.”
The sequence turned a 2-point lead into a nine-point lead at halftime in 1:21. It started with a steal by Talaysia Cooper at the top of the press, and she assisted a wide-open 3-pointer for Jewel Spear. After Tennessee gave up a fast-break layup, Samara Spencer knocked down a 3-pointer in response. Then Cooper snagged another steal in the press, giving the Lady Vols the final shot – and Spencer drained a deep buzzer-beater 3-pointer.
Spear was responsible for the 3-pointer on the first play of the third quarter.
Spencer, who scored 18 points and went 4-for-7 from deep, was interviewed postgame. Harper congratulated Spencer on the win and asked where the senior point guard thought the team could continue to find improvement.
Spencer pointed to the team’s lapses at times and weaker third quarters – the Bulldogs only outscored Tennessee in the third – and said they need to make sure they come out of halftime with the same intensity.
Spencer also said transition defense was a big focus going into the game after hearing Mississippi State thought it would be successful in transition. Tennessee had one player in position to get back quickly to defend any breakaways, and MSU only outscored UT on fast-break points 21-13.
“Well, we heard that they were talking about how they felt like they could get a lot of transition points, and they did get some transition points, but not as many as they normally get,” Spencer said. “I think that we did a pretty good job at it. We had some lapses, but overall, we kept the game in check in transition.”
Cora Hall covers University of Tennessee women’s athletics. Email her at cora.hall@knoxnews.com and follow her on Twitter @corahalll. If you enjoy Cora’s coverage, consider a digital subscription that allows you to access all of it.
Tennessee
Tennessee Senate passes ‘CVS bill,’ reshapes pharmacy business as CVS threatens closures
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WZTV) — A bill moving through the Tennessee Legislature could reshape how pharmacies do business in the state, with CVS warning it could lead to widespread store closures.
The Tennessee Senate has passed legislation that would change the way pharmacies can operate. The proposal has been dubbed “the CVS bill” because it directly impacts the drugstore chain.
Under the bill, drugstores would no longer be allowed to negotiate prices directly with insurance providers or government programs. Instead, a third party would be required to step in.
The bill is now under debate in the House. CVS says the change would force more than 100 of its pharmacies to close across Tennessee, but lawmakers disagree.
Tennessee
Three NFL Draft Fits for Tennessee Football Cornerback Jermod McCoy
Tennessee football star Jermod McCoy is the player who will likely hear his name called first from the Tennessee program in the upcoming NFL Draft. There are many teams he would fit well, but these three teams are the teams I believe he is the best fit with at this moment.
1. Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys are in need of a cornerback in the draft class, and they are likely to spend one of their first two picks on one. They are selecting at No. 12 and No. 20 in the draft as of now, and McCoy could hear his name called. He would be joining a decent group of cornerbacks, but he would be an immediate starter, likely alongside a later selection that they make with a cornerback.
It would be shocking if the Cowboys pass on him if they select at 12 and he is still on the board. McCoy would be an immediate starter and would be someone who could shut down a whole side of the field for the Cowboys early in his career.
2. Miami Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins is one of the better fits for Jermod McCoy, and it would make the most sense, as the Dolphins could use almost every position after a major haul of their players. They are in a major rebuilding phase and drafting at No. 11 leaves many to believe that McCoy could be in play.
McCoy would likely be their No. 1 cornerbakc the day he got to the franchise, and would have the chance to dominate the way he did in his one season on the field with the Vols. This selection would depend on who drops out of the first ten selections. If he is one of the better players remaining (highly likely) he very well could hear his name called at pick 11.
3. New York Jets
The New York Jets have the chance to be very good when it comes to the draft, as they are drafting at both No. 2 and No. 16. I believe they will be looking to get a cornerback with their No. 16 pick, which would make a lot of sense considering they had to get rid of Sauce Gardner.
McCoy would be the perfect replacement, as they could find themselves in one of the better situations on the defensive side of the football. He can shutdown a side of the field, and I would bet that he would be a great fit with the Jets because of that exactly.
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Tennessee
Nashville Sounds and Autism Tennessee partner to host inclusive Beyond the Label Day for local children
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — At a ballpark built for noise, there is space for something quieter.
During the Nashville Sounds’ “Beyond the Label Day,” kids are learning, playing and experiencing baseball in a way that works for them. Autism Tennessee volunteers stepped in to guide kids through sensory play designed to calm and focus.
From spinning toys to textured fidgets, these tools help turn overwhelming moments into manageable ones. Children engaged with the activities, pointing out shapes like a circle, noticing items like candies, and expressing how nice the experience was.
Adam English, general manager of the Nashville Sounds, said making space for everyone is the goal, even as the stadium announcer calls another Sounds strikeout.
“It’s important for us to raise awareness about autism, but also just make sure that First Horizon Park is an inclusive place for everybody” English said.
The Sounds stadium even has a sensory room for families at every game.
“There’s huge baseball fans that sometimes shy away because of loud crowds and we want to make sure every game out here available” English said.
For Autism Tennessee leaders like Jessica Moore, days like this are about more than awareness. They are about belonging.
“Typically events like this can be super overwhelming… so this is just a way for people to feel like they can come and still be successful” Moore said.
What are your thoughts on making sports venues more inclusive for all fans? Watch the video to see the sensory room in action, and share your experiences with me at kim.rafferty@NewsChannel5.com.
In this article, we used artificial intelligence to help us convert a video news report originally written by Kim Rafferty. When using this tool, both Kim Rafferty and the NewsChannel 5 editorial team verified all the facts in the article to make sure it is fair and accurate before we published it. We care about your trust in us and where you get your news, and using this tool allows us to convert our news coverage into different formats so we can quickly reach you where you like to consume information. It also lets our journalists spend more time looking into your story ideas, listening to you and digging into the stories that matter.
Checking in on Cole: Gallatin rallies around teen battling brain tumor with prayer vigil
Austin Pollack brings us an update on a remarkable young man facing great odds, and his family has one simple request: pray for Cole. I believe in the power of prayer and hope you’ll join me in lifting up Cole and his family.
– Carrie Sharp
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