Baylor edges Briarcrest, plays for state title today
NASHVILLE — Baylor’s smallest player stood out in the biggest moment Friday in a TSSAA Division II-AA state semfinal at Lipscomb University.
Senior Tre Jackson, the only player listed shorter than 6-foot tall on the roster Baylor put out at the beginning of the season, made the first of two free throws with 0.9 second remaining to break a tie score. Then after a Briarcrest timeout, Jackson under coach’s order missed the second, leaving the Saint who rebounded the ball a full-court desperation heave that came up short, and the Red Raiders came out victorious 45-44.
No. 3-ranked Baylor (19-6) is making its second appearance in a state final today and will be seeking its first title when it takes on top-ranked Brentwood Academy (24-5) at 8:30 p.m. EST. Briarcrest (29-4) is ranked No. 2 in the state.
“I can hardly wait to try and win a state championship with this team right now,” Baylor coach Austin Clark said. “We’re excited about being here in the championship game, but there’s one more step. It’s been our goal to get there with these seniors. We’ve realized it. Now it’s time to complete it.”
The Red Raiders held a three-point
lead before Briarcrest freshman Kennedy Chandler hit a 3-point shot from the right wing with 17 seconds to play. Clark said that during the ensuing timeout the Red Raiders planed to “at least get the last-second shot.”
It turned out that guard Beyuan Hendricks took that shot — a 3-pointer to the left of the key from about NBA 3-point range — but all it produced at first was a deep rebound.
“I thought we handled their pressure,” Clark said of the Saints’ defense coming out of the timeout at 15.5 seconds. “We got a decent look. It worked out in our favor. But that’s because of the effort and hustle these kids have put out all year long.”
As the Saints’ Marcellus Brigham twisted and leaned back to grab the ball headed over his head, there was Jackson underneath on the receiving end of some contact. Baylor was in the double bonus.
“It was kind of unfortunate, honestly, on their part,” Baylor senior Patrick Urey said. “We took advantage of it. Tre stepped up and knocked down the first one. He missed the second one on purpose, which was a great play on his part. That was thanks to Coach.”
The last time the Red Raiders trailed was 41-40. As the game clock ticked below one minute, Urey drove toward the goal from the right elbow and lost control of the ball. He said a defender got a hand on it. The ball ended up in the hands of Niko Simpkins, who powered his way up from underneath for a go-ahead three-point play with 53.7 seconds left.
“I just kind of slapped at it hoping a teammate would get it,” Urey said of being stripped of the ball. “Niko came up with it, got the and-one and won the game for us.”
It may have won the game for them had the Red Raiders’ Boris Ristanovic been able to complete the dunk he attempted at the half-minute mark. But Chandler was able to foul him from behind, sending him to the line, where he missed the first and made the second, setting the stage for Chandler’s tying shot.
Baylor’s largest lead was 18-11. Briarcrest’s was 28-20. Four points was the largest margin in the second half.
Randy Brady led the Red Raiders with 13 points. Urey added 10 and Simpkins scored nine and had eight rebounds.
Mr. Basketball finalist Cedric Henderson Jr. topped Briarcrest with 11 points.
“This means a lot,” said Urey, who had to sit out injured at times this season. “We were disappointed how last year ended (a close loss to Montgomery Bell Academy in the first round of the state tournament). All preseason, all regular season, this is what our goal has been — one, and advance. I can’t wait to play one more time with my guys.”
Contact Kelley Smiddie at ksmiddie@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6653. Follow him on Twitter @KelleySmiddie.