Bearden Girls Basketball Reaches No. 1 in Knoxville Rankings

The Lady Bulldogs cap off a strong regular season to claim the top spot.

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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The Bearden High School girls basketball team has reached the No. 1 spot in the latest Knoxville area rankings, finishing the regular season with a 26-3 record and a perfect 12-0 conference mark. The Lady Bulldogs have not lost a game since the start of 2026 and capped off their season with wins against McMinn County, Alcoa, and Cleveland. Starting guard Natalya Hodge was also named a finalist for Miss Basketball in Class 4A.

Why it matters

Bearden's rise to the top of the Knoxville rankings is a significant achievement, as the Lady Bulldogs have proven themselves to be one of the top teams in the region throughout the 2025-26 season. Their strong finish and individual accolades like Natalya Hodge's Miss Basketball nomination highlight the program's success and the high level of girls basketball talent in the Knoxville area.

The details

Bearden reached the No. 1 spot in the rankings after a 26-3 regular season record and a perfect 12-0 conference mark. The Lady Bulldogs capped off their season with wins against McMinn County, Alcoa, and Cleveland. Starting guard Natalya Hodge was also announced as a finalist for Miss Basketball in Class 4A, further recognizing Bearden's talent.

  • Bearden finished the regular season with a 26-3 record and 12-0 conference mark prior to Feb. 16 games.
  • Natalya Hodge was announced as a Miss Basketball finalist on Feb. 16, 2026.

The players

Bearden High School

The Bearden High School girls basketball team, which has risen to the No. 1 spot in the latest Knoxville area rankings.

Natalya Hodge

The starting guard for Bearden High School, who was announced as a finalist for Miss Basketball in Class 4A.

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The takeaway

Bearden's rise to the top of the Knoxville rankings is a testament to the strength of the Lady Bulldogs' program and the high level of girls basketball talent in the region. The team's strong finish to the regular season and individual accolades like Natalya Hodge's Miss Basketball nomination highlight the success and potential of Knoxville-area girls basketball.