Walker Valley defeats Whitehaven in TSSAA Class 4A boys semifinals, advances to state championship game

Walker Valley ends Whitehaven’s state tournament run in Murfreesboro

Walker Valley advanced to the TSSAA Class 4A boys basketball state championship game by defeating Whitehaven 76-71 on Friday, March 20, 2026, at Middle Tennessee State University’s Murphy Center in Murfreesboro.

The result sent Walker Valley into the title game scheduled for Saturday, March 21, 2026, also at the Murphy Center. The semifinal loss ended Whitehaven’s season at the state tournament stage after the Tigers opened the week with a first-round win.

How both teams reached the semifinal matchup

The semifinal paired two programs that entered the state bracket with strong records. Whitehaven reached the semifinals after defeating Blackman 71-41 in its opening game on Thursday, March 19. Walker Valley advanced by beating Farragut 65-58 later that day.

Those results set up Friday’s Game 5 matchup, with a place in the championship game at stake. Walker Valley’s five-point win provided the separation in a contest that remained within reach for Whitehaven into the closing minutes.

• March 19, 2026: Whitehaven 71, Blackman 41 (first round)
• March 19, 2026: Walker Valley 65, Farragut 58 (first round)
• March 20, 2026: Walker Valley 76, Whitehaven 71 (semifinal)

What the outcome means for Whitehaven and Walker Valley

For Whitehaven, the semifinal defeat concluded a season that included a decisive opening-round performance at the state tournament. The Tigers entered the state bracket at 28-8 and left Murfreesboro with a 28-9 final record.

For Walker Valley, the win moved the program to the final weekend of the state tournament with a 29-3 record at the time of the victory. The Mustangs’ path included two wins in three days at the Murphy Center, a schedule that tested depth and late-game execution.

Final score (Class 4A state semifinal, March 20, 2026): Walker Valley 76, Whitehaven 71.

Next on the Class 4A schedule

Walker Valley is set to play in the Class 4A state championship game on Saturday, March 21, 2026, at 4 p.m. at MTSU’s Murphy Center. The championship opponent will come from the other side of the Class 4A bracket, which includes Bartlett, Brentwood, Beech and Bearden.

The Class 4A tournament is part of the TSSAA boys basketball state championship week in Murfreesboro, with games staged at the Murphy Center from March 18 through March 21, 2026.