Chattanooga Prep returns to region title game with help from the defense
When the game’s outcome was still in doubt late in the second quarter, Chattanooga Prep basketball coach Christoffer Collins went back to what he knew had undoubtedly worked throughout the season. Coming out of a timeout, and nursing a one-point lead, the Sentinels turned up the defensive pressure on South Pittsburg, resulting in four quick turnovers and a 19-4 scoring run.
Once in control, Chattanooga Prep maintained a double-digit advantage the rest of the way en route to a 60-43 Region 3-1A semifinal win at Sale Creek. In the second semifinal, Van Buren defeated Sale Creek 70-57 to set up a rematch of last year’s region title game, which was a 16-point win by the Eagles.
“We wanted to speed them up, make their guards work and see if we could get some turnovers to help our offense get going,” said Collins, whose team improved to 24-9 on the season. “This was the fourth time we’ve played those guys and after winning the first three we knew they would come out with a chip on their shoulder and play us tough.
“We’re still young but our guys are confident after getting to the sectional round last year. They’ve still got a bitter taste from losing to Van Buren in the region title game, so they want to avenge that one.”
The Sentinels length and quickness gave South Pittsburg fits from the midway point of the second period throughout the remainder of the game, limiting the Pirates to just 16 total points in the second half.
Derrick Roberson scored 11 of his game-high 20 points in the first quarter and had all but three of his total by halftime. Teammate Eli Gaines added 13 points, including three of the Sentinels’ seven 3-pointers. Cash Kelly led South Pittsburg (18-14) with 17 points.
“After that first quarter we knew we had to pick up the pace,” Roberson said. “Our defense is really what got us going. We came up short in the region championship and then had to travel in the sectional last year, so we know how important it is to win it and host that sectional coming up.”
Region 3-3A
Austin-East 65, Central 58 Region 3-4A
› Cleveland 49, Walker
Valley 46: It took overtime, but the Blue Raiders survived and advanced, which not only set up a region title game meeting with McMinn County, but also secured a spot in next week’s sectional round.
Jasen Brooks led Cleveland with 18 points and Judah Sault added 13. Hobert Brabson led all
scorers with 20 points for the Mustangs and Cash Coates finished with 15.
› McMinn County 72,
Franklin County 61: A 21-12 fourth quarter helped the Cherokees pull away late and advance to Thursday’s region title game. McMinn County connected on 13 of 16 free throws and was led by Reese Frazier’s 17 points.
Tucker Monroe scored 13 of his 16 in the fourth quarter, while Hayden Smith added 14 and Caden Hester 12. Kai Baker led all scorers with 22 for Franklin County.