Sometimes it helps to go to the gym and blow off a little steam.

That's exactly what Brandon Warren did Saturday night at Alcoa High School.

In the middle of his official visit to the University of Tennessee, the 6-foot-2, 230-pound tight end took a break from the world of football recruiting and helped the Tornadoes to a resounding 72-49 victory over Maryville on the basketball court.

Alcoa junior Kyrus Lanxter, himself a Division I prospect at wide receiver, led the way with 28 points and 15 rebounds. Warren added 16 points for the Tornadoes (13-5).

"We haven't played that good in a while, just getting back in the groove," Warren said. "We're starting to play pretty well. That's pretty important come March."

Maybe just as important on Saturday night for Warren was a much-needed break from the tug-of-war that is the life of a top-50 football recruit with National Signing Day on Wednesday.

"It's definitely fun to come out and play some ball," he said. "I'm tired of the, 'Where are you going? When are you going to do this?' The questions and stuff. It's OK, but it's nice to get away from it."

Warren, who caught 24 passes for 478 yards and 10 touchdowns in nine regular-season games this season, has been caught in a swirl of attention since he decided to reconsider Tennessee's offer.

Warren committed to Florida State in July but has kept UT in the running for his services ever since.

Halfway through his visit at Tennessee, Warren hasn't ruled anything out yet.

"It's going pretty good," he said of his visit, which he's attending with teammate Dustin Lindsey, who already has committed to the Vols. "I'm still looking into everything. I've still got a wide-open mind."

Last weekend, Warren, the top-rated tight end prospect by some recruiting services, took his official visit to Florida State.

On Saturday night, Warren met with new UT offensive coordinator David Cutcliffe. He'll finish his visit to UT late today before sitting down with his family and discussing his choices.

"See how they enjoyed the trip, how they liked the coaches," he said. "Because that's going to be very important to me, the relationship my mom's going to have with the coaches. After all that, I'll be ready to go."

Warren plans to announce his decision on television Monday night, and by the time the Tornadoes take the court Friday against Carter the ink will be dry on his letter of intent.

"I like both schools, but unfortunately I'm going to have get rid of one of them," Warren said. "I think I'll have that nailed down by Monday, and then I'll be ready to go ahead and sign my name on Wednesday."

The address where that letter is headed, though, remains anyone's guess.

Drew Edwards covers high school sports. He may be reached at 865-342-6274.