Chattanooga Christian School has announced Derek Markey as the Director of Tennis for its new Maclellan Tennis Center, which is scheduled to open later this summer.

In addition to the school's six outdoor courts, the new 30,000-square foot facility includes a second story view deck, offices and athletic training and treatment rooms as well as four indoor collegiate courts with a PlaySight camera system on each court. Each of those cameras provide multi-angle replays as well as live streaming capability.

Markey has more than 28 years experience, across five states, which includes having been the nation's youngest Director of Tennis of all multipurpose athletic clubs more than 150,000 square feet. He also has developed both junior and adult tennis players in five different United State Tennis Association (USTA) sections.

"I am so excited to accept this position," said Markey, who is married to former University of Tennessee at Chattanooga tennis player Rebekah Henry. "Chattanooga has a long tradition of developing world-class tennis players. I am beyond blessed to oversee the new facility and oversee the future development of the youth of tomorrow.

"Our tennis center will deliver the highest level of certified instruction for players, coaches, parents, students and the community."

Through the Maclellan Tennis Center, CCS will offer lessons for all ages to develop players with the highest level of certified instruction. Programs will include adult lessons, junior lessons, private lessons, adult travel teams, social events, racquet service, ball machine clubs and on-court video analysis. It will also serve as an additional training space for CCS' Lower and Upper School tennis programs.

"Derek's extensive leadership experience, partnered with his passion for tennis and strategic thinking will open new opportunities for our programs at CCS," said school athletic director Daniel Russell. "He easily sees the importance of tying our mission to this new facility."

McNair named Hixson basketball coach

Hixson High has named Blake McNair as its new boys' basketball coach. McNair, 29, was an assistant at Sale Creek last season and prior to that spent two years as an assistant at East Ridge.

"His high energy and love for and knowledge of the game was what we were looking for," said Hixson athletic director Brian Bray. "He came in and blew us away during his interview. We wanted someone who would have a good relationship with kids and help move our program in the right direction and we believe he's the guy."

A native of northwest Arkansas, McNair played collegiately at Harding University and began his coaching career at Central Arkansas Christian before moving to Chattanooga with his wife. He takes over for Lawanza Crutcher, who had coached the Wildcats since 2014.

"I've dreamed about and prayed about finally getting to be a head coach and run my own program," McNair said. "I'm really excited for this opportunity."

Brewer hired at Coahulla Creek

Former Murray County head football coach Chad Brewer is joining the Coahulla Creek coaching staff as the assistant head coach to Danny Wilson, the school announced this week.

Brewer stepped down as the Indians' head coach after nine seasons and has 22 years of coaching experience. A Polk County High School graduate, he played at UT-Martin before joining the coaching ranks, where he has served as a defensive coordinator for 13 seasons.

He replaces Vic Grider on the staff after the former South Pittsburg coach was hired by Dade County as an assistant principal.

"I have known Chad for over 20 years," Wilson said. "I know he was looking for a place to step back from the responsibilities of being a head coach and be able to just coach football. His experience and knowledge of the game are extremely valuable. We feel very fortunate and excited for him to be joining the Creek Family."

Two area teams remain in the GHSA baseball playoffs, which hits the quarterfinal round starting Monday.

Heritage (22-12), after making the postseason field on the final day of the regular season, heads to Region 2 champion LaGrange (27-8) for a doubleheader start to a Class AAAA best-of-three series Monday at 5. The Generals upset Region 5 champion Hampton in round one before sweeping Bainbridge in the second round.

Gordon Lee (22-10) visits Metter (25-5) in a Class A public quarterfinal series, which starts Tuesday with a 3 p.m. doubleheader. The Region 6-A champion Trojans, after sweeping Towns County and Johnson County, face the Region 3 champs in Metter after the GHSA coin flip gave the bottom half the bracket home field advantage.

Choose a school from the list to see related news coverage

Copyright © 2022, Chattanooga Times Free Press, Inc.

This document may not be reprinted without the express written permission of Chattanooga Times Free Press, Inc.

Material from the Associated Press is Copyright © 2022, Associated Press and may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Associated Press text, photo, graphic, audio and/or video material shall not be published, broadcast, rewritten for broadcast or publication or redistributed directly or indirectly in any medium. Neither these AP materials nor any portion thereof may be stored in a computer except for personal and noncommercial use. The AP will not be held liable for any delays, inaccuracies, errors or omissions therefrom or in the transmission or delivery of all or any part thereof or for any damages arising from any of the foregoing. All rights reserved.