"The Perfect Storm: The Art of Perfection"

Grayson Burleson

@grayson_bur1

6'5 , 205lbs, Class of 2025

Loretto HS, TN

Grayson is built for moments that demand composure, skill, and edge. He’s a physical, three-level scoring machine with a smooth touch from beyond the arc, a punishing midrange game, and explosive power off the bounce that ends in rim-rocking throwdowns. A fierce finisher with dazzling dimes and a relentless motor, Grayson uses his 6'5 frame and 205-pound build to impose his will on both ends. He’s a dynamic force who makes everyone around him better, a rock-solid defender who competes with pride, and a selfless star who thrives in pressure moments. But above all, Grayson gives every ounce of the praise, glory, and success to God. Without God's grace, he says none of this would’ve ever been possible. He plays with purpose, and his purpose is grounded in faith.

Loretto’s championship run was more than just dominant, it was divine. This wasn’t just a team that won 35 straight games and rolled through the season. This was a brotherhood built on trust, unity, toughness, and grit. Grayson led the way, averaging 17 points, 7 rebounds per game during the state tournament and finishing with 2,711 career points, becoming Loretto’s all-time leading scorer. But this run wasn’t about personal glory. It was about redemption, loyalty, and love for the community that gave him a second chance. After being cut from Summertown by a coach who didn’t believe in him, Grayson transferred to Loretto, knowing they didn’t need him, but he wanted to help them win it all. And they welcomed him like family. Coach Tipps gave him the chance he prayed for, and Grayson delivered in every way possible.

Grayson’s game speaks for itself, but what made this season unforgettable was the total buy-in from every player on that roster. They steamrolled through most of the year, winning by 20 to 30 points a night, but their toughest tests came in the region where they battled a loaded Grundy County squad and a gritty Cannon County team that pushed them to the edge. Still, this Loretto squad never blinked. They were the first team since Union City in 2008 to finish undefeated and win it all, led by Coach Tipps, Coach Glass, Coach Stout, and Coach Brendon. Their defense was suffocating, giving up just 40.1 points per game, and they only got out-rebounded once all season during a game where three starters fouled out and another got hurt.

And in that final state championship game, it all came together in dramatic fashion. Down eight at halftime against Alcoa, a team gunning for a three-peat, Coach Tipps told them to lock in. He reminded them who they were. It wasn’t about yelling, it was about belief. He calmed them down, coached them hard, and let them go be themselves. And they answered. Mason Tidwell said it best: “We just had to stay calm and stay together… the first 3 minutes of the 3rd quarter were going to be pivotal.” They came out swinging and the comeback was on.

Kasin Buie, the electric big man who averaged 14 a game all season, absolutely erupted on the state’s biggest stage. With a mix of size, speed, and basketball IQ, his footwork and timing in the post were unstoppable. Kasin earned the All-State Tournament MVP, dropping 22 points and 10 rebounds in the semifinal and a thunderous 19-point, 14-rebound, 2-block double-double in the OT win over Alcoa. His paint dominance shifted momentum in both games and anchored the run.

Then there’s Mason Tidwell, who matched Kasin with 14 points per game and brought a fierce defensive edge and versatile offensive bag. Whether scoring inside or knocking down from the outside, his steady hand and fearless game gave Loretto a weapon on both ends.

Corbin Reynolds averaged 8 a game but brought an athletic edge that made him a nightmare in transition. His energy, bounce, and ability to turn defense into offense made him vital in every matchup.

Jaxon Roberson brought steady, unselfish play and quiet toughness, averaging 5 a game and playing with heart every possession. He also earned a spot on the all-state tournament team.

And Kylon Wilkerson was a spark off the bench—a sharp-shooting three-point threat and committed defender who came up clutch in moments when Loretto needed it most.

Every player mattered. Every role was crucial.

This team didn’t just win a title, they earned it. Through adversity, through pressure, through every push from elite opponents, they stayed locked in and stayed together. That final OT win over Alcoa was the perfect ending to the perfect season. It validated everything—Grayson’s decision to come to Loretto, the team's brotherhood, the work they put in, and most importantly, the faith that carried them every step of the way.

Grayson made sure the spotlight didn’t stay on him. He wanted the world to know: this was a team built on trust, chemistry, toughness, and love. Every one of them mattered. And none of this happens without God. He gave the glory to where it belonged—and that’s what made this run perfect.