Stratford rolls past Tyner into Class AA semifinals

It was hard to tell that Stratford was making its first TSSAA state tournament appearance in 16 seasons on Thursday. Judging by the Spartans' laid-back demeanor along with their dominant play, the Spartans looked more like state tournament mainstays at MTSU’s Murphy Center, steamrolling Chattanooga Tyner 78-55 to secure a spot in Friday’s Class AA semifinals.

“We were just ready to go play,” Stratford coach Romie Reed said. “They were just so itching to get on the floor and play basketball.”

Senior Michael Wallace finished with a game-high 18 points on 8 of 10 shooting to lead the Spartans (25-6), who jumped out to a 26-5 first-quarter advantage. Teammates Jahari Reed (14), Kevonte Boyd (14), Ivan Buford (12) and Juwon Carpenter (11) also scored in double figures.

Javon Craddock finished with a team-high 12 points for Tyner (20-11), which managed just six third-quarter points.

Stratford will square off against Fulton in Friday’s 6 p.m. semifinal.

Fulton 61, Jackson South Side 52:

Fulton coach Jody Wright told his team it couldn’t have played much worse in the first half, and now it was time to come together. The Falcons did just that to beat Jackson South Side in a Class AA quarterfinal.

South Side led 17-16 at half. Fulton open an eight-point lead in the third quarter, but the Hawks led by two at the end. Fulton took the lead about midway through the fourth and held on for the rest of the game.

Fulton's Edward Lacey scored a game-high 23 points, followed by Trey Davis and Josh Berry with 10 apiece. Point guard Bryce McBride led South Side with 18 points.

— Diana C. Nearhos

Livingston Academy 63, Alcoa 47:

Nothing was going to keep Wade Neely out of MTSU's Murphy Center. The Livingston Academy senior overcame bronchitis and the flu to help lead the Wildcats to a win Thursday over Alcoa in a Class AA quarterfinal in the TSSAA boys basketball state championships.

"He's been in the bed this morning at his house," Livingston Academy coach Jimmy Miller said. "He had bronchitis and the flu and got it Tuesday night when we came down.

"It's the toughest player I've ever coached in my life. I don't think there are enough officers in this building to keep him out of here."

Livingston Academy (26-9) plays Memphis Hamilton at 4:30 p.m. Friday in a Class AA semifinal game.

Neely recorded a double-double, scoring 12 points and grabbing 13 rebounds. Freshman teammate Matthew Sells led all scorers with 21 points on 9 of 13 shooting.

Dante Harris led Alcoa (22-10) with 12 points.

— Tom Kreager

Hamilton 84, Whites Creek 67:

Jordan Johnson scored 27 points and handed out five assists as Hamilton took control in the second quarter and defeated Whites Creek.

James DeJesus added 21 for the Wildcats, who opened up a double-digit lead after winning the second quarter 21-11 and kept it that way for most of the contest. Martrell Brooks added 19 for the Wildcats, who are playing in the state tournament for the first time since winning the AAA championship in 2015.

Dennis Stallings scored 21 and had a game-high 10 rebounds for the Cobras, who shot just 36.9 percent from the floor and turned the ball over 19 times. Isaiah Bowers chipped in with 15 and Dylan Wade had 11.

— John Varlas

Class A Monterey 53, MASE 50:

Brothers Tyus and Peyton West combined to score 27 points to help fuel the Wildcats’ three-point quarterfinal win over Memphis Academy of Science and Engineering.

Tyus West finished with a team-high 15 points on 5 of 7 shooting to lead Monterey (31-6), which jumped out to a 27-16 halftime advantage, while Peyton West added 12 points, four rebounds and a pair of assists in the narrow victory.

Myhlan Davis tallied a game-high 21 points, seven rebounds and four steals for MASE (22-8), which shot just 2for-11 (11.1 percent) from beyond the arc, while Class AA Mr. Basketball finalist Arecko Gipson was held to 10 points on just 3 of 11 shooting.

— Michael Murphy

Loretto 70, Columbia Academy 69:

Vanderbilt baseball signee Ryan Weathers scored 25 points to help lead Loretto to the Class A semifinals.

Teammate Will McBee tallied 14 points and Kirkland Surratt had 12.

Loretto (27-5) plays Monterey at 2:45 p.m. Friday.

Carson Cary led Columbia Academy with 24 points, including four 3-pointers. Teammate Eli Hyle added 20 points with four 3-pointers.

— Tom Kreager