JPII Defeats MBA in TSSAA Boys Basketball Semifinals

Knights advance to state championship game with 66-55 victory

Published on Mar. 5, 2026

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In the Division II-AA TSSAA boys basketball state tournament semifinals, Pope John Paul II High School defeated Montgomery Bell Academy 66-55 to advance to the championship game.

Why it matters

The TSSAA boys basketball state tournament is one of the most anticipated high school sporting events in Tennessee, drawing crowds and media attention from across the state. This semifinal matchup between two prominent Nashville-area private schools was a highly anticipated contest.

The details

Pope John Paul II High School's Knights defeated Montgomery Bell Academy's Big Red by a score of 66-55 in the Division II-AA semifinals of the TSSAA boys basketball state tournament. The Knights used a strong second half performance to pull away from MBA and secure their spot in the championship game.

  • The game took place on March 5, 2026.

The players

Pope John Paul II High School

A private Catholic high school located in Hendersonville, Tennessee, just outside of Nashville.

Montgomery Bell Academy

An all-boys private college preparatory school located in Nashville, Tennessee.

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The takeaway

This semifinal matchup showcased the high level of boys basketball talent in the Nashville area, with two of the top private school programs in the state battling it out for a spot in the TSSAA championship game.