Unaka Lady Rangers Aim for Sub-State Basketball Victory

Coach Kenneth Chambers leads team with sights set on state tournament

Published on Mar. 6, 2026

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The Unaka Lady Rangers basketball team, led by veteran coach Kenneth Chambers, are set to take the court this Saturday for a highly anticipated sub-state game. Having won 23 of their last 24 games, including district and regional championships, the Lady Rangers are on a roll and determined to reach the state tournament in Murfreesboro.

Why it matters

The Lady Rangers have a storied history under Coach Chambers, with multiple trips to the state tournament in his tenure. This year's team is poised to make another deep postseason run, which would be a major accomplishment for the small school program and a source of pride for the local community.

The details

Coach Chambers, who is in his 25th season leading the Lady Rangers, has guided the team to the state tournament several times, including a state tournament victory in 2017-18. This year's squad has only suffered one loss and is riding high after winning both the district and regional championships. The sub-state game on Saturday represents the final hurdle before the state tournament in Murfreesboro.

  • The sub-state game is scheduled for this Saturday, March 8, 2026 at 7 p.m.
  • Unaka's lone loss this season came against North Greene, but the Lady Rangers have since beaten that team three times.

The players

Kenneth Chambers

Unaka Lady Rangers head coach with over 25 years of experience leading the program, guiding the team to multiple postseason appearances including state tournament berths.

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What they’re saying

“This year the Rangers have been on fire, suffering only one loss to North Greene — a team they have since beaten three times this season.”

— C.Y. Peters, Star Correspondent (elizabethton.com)

What’s next

If the Lady Rangers win the sub-state game on Saturday, they will advance to the TSSAA Class A state tournament in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.

The takeaway

The Unaka Lady Rangers, under the leadership of veteran coach Kenneth Chambers, have built a strong basketball program that has become a source of pride for the local community. Their deep postseason run this year represents an opportunity to continue that tradition of excellence and reach the state tournament once again.