Van Buren loses in Class A semifinals

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — After an icy first quarter, which led to a double- digit deficit six minutes into the game, Van Buren County never recovered in a 54-40 loss to Booker T. Washington in the semifinals of the Class A boys’ state basketball tournament Friday.

Van Buren’s Eagles made their first two 3- point tries in taking a 6- 0 lead 1: 29 into the game but missed their next eight attempts from beyond the arc and shot just 27 percent from the field in the first half. Once the Warriors took the lead midway through the first quarter, they never trailed again, and once their lead reached double figures, it never dipped below eight points.

The Warriors ( 32- 5), who have a chance to win the second state championship in program history today, forced 25 turnovers Friday.

“We knew their quickness would be a factor and we hoped our 3-point shooting would offset their points off turnovers, but we shot way below our season average at a bad time,” Van Buren coach Dustin Sullivan said. “But I’m still super proud of what this team accomplished. This was the furthest we’ve made it in program history, and that speaks volumes about this group.”

Van Buren (28-6) loses three seniors but also had two juniors and six sophomores in its rotation, including 6-foot-5 all-state wing Caden Mills, who led all scorers with 22 points and added 11 rebounds in the loss.

“The thing I liked as a coach was the competitive nature of the group,” Sullivan said. “We weren’t just happy with getting here or winning a game. Our guys wanted to get to the championship, and you could see it on their faces that they were hurt they didn’t reach that goal.

“We have a lot of experience coming back, though, and this experience should be invaluable. Our expectations will be to get back and go even further.”

Contact Stephen Hargis at shargis@timesfreepress. com or 423-757-6293.