Written by Donnell Murphy | March 8, 2026

When the lights were brightest at the BlueCross State Championships, Josh Huggins stepped into the moment and delivered an MVP performance for Briarcrest Christian.

Inside F&M Bank Arena in Clarksville, Briarcrest defeated Pope John Paul II 62-52 to capture the TSSAA Division II-AA state championship. While the Saints received production up and down the lineup, it was Huggins who gave Briarcrest the scoring punch and late-game control it needed to close out a title win.

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Josh Huggins MVP Performance Powered Briarcrest

Huggins finished with 22 points, 8 rebounds, and 1 assist, shooting 5-of-9 from the field while doing major damage at the free-throw line. He knocked down 12-of-15 free throws, consistently putting pressure on Pope John Paul II’s defense and cashing in when Briarcrest needed points the most.

His ability to attack downhill changed the game. Every time Pope John Paul II tried to settle in, Huggins forced the action, got into the lane, and created offense. That aggressive approach helped Briarcrest control the rhythm and maintain breathing room in a championship setting where every possession mattered.

Briarcrest vs Pope John Paul II Turned on Composure

Huggins did not just score. He played with poise. He understood when to push, when to slow the pace, and when to lean into the physical side of the game. That composure stood out as Briarcrest worked through pressure moments against a Pope John Paul II team that kept battling.

His scoring kept the Saints in front, but his calm under pressure helped them stay there. In a championship game, that kind of presence matters just as much as the numbers on the stat sheet.

Briarcrest Christian Had Multiple Big Performances

Briarcrest also got a major all-around effort from Fred Smith Jr., who added 18 points and 13 rebounds. Together, Smith and Huggins gave the Saints a one-two punch that Pope John Paul II had trouble answering for four quarters.

Still, Huggins’ offensive production and constant trips to the line gave Briarcrest a steady source of points whenever the game threatened to tighten. His performance felt like the swing factor in the biggest game of the season.

Triple Threat D Caught Up With Huggins After the Presser

Following the championship presser, Donnell “Triple Threat D” Murphy caught up with Huggins for a postgame interview to talk about the title run, Briarcrest’s chemistry, and what the moment meant for the program.

That interview added another layer to the night, giving fans a chance to hear directly from one of the championship game’s biggest difference-makers right after Briarcrest brought home the gold ball.

Final Thoughts on Josh Huggins and Briarcrest

Championship teams need players who can rise when the stakes are highest. For Briarcrest, Josh Huggins was that player on title night.

His 22-point MVP performance, his ability to live at the line, and his composure in key moments helped lift Briarcrest to the top of Tennessee high school basketball. When the final buzzer sounded, the Saints were state champions, and Huggins was right at the center of it.

Official championship information can be found through the TSSAA official website.

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