Mitchell captures Region 8-AA

Sophomore duo leads Tigers

Mitchell big men Gavin Robinson and Khalil Spencer helped get the lead. But it was the Tigers’ talented sophomore guard tandem of Naba Echols and Jeremiah Martin who brought home a 73- 62 victory over archrival Sheffield in the Region 8-AA championship game Thursday night at Douglass.

The Tigers (22-7), state runners-up a year ago, can make a return trip to Murfreesboro with a sectional win over Jackson Liberty on Monday night. Sheffield (21-8) must win at Jackson South Side on Monday to keep its season going.

Robinson, a 6- 6 senior, scored 26 points and was a consistent force.

“We weren’t aggressive inside like we needed to be the last time,” Robinson said, referring to Mitchell’s District 16 finals loss to the Knights. “We needed to use our size better.”

Mitchell coach Faragi Phillips, whose team has beaten Sheffield in three of four games this season, said, “We only made Sheffield foul 11 times (in the district tourney). I told our guys we had to take it to the basket and force them to make plays or foul.”

Spencer exploded for 12 points in the opening quar- ter, finishing with 15; he earned tournament MVP honors. Echols scored 11 of his 13 points in the second half, and Martin added 10 of his 12.

At the end of the third quarter, Mitchell turned a missed 3-pointer by Sheffield into a fast-break layup and a three-point play by Martin. It broke a 49-all tie, and also saddled Sheffield’s tallest player, Terrance Smith, with his fourth foul.

Robinson hit a pair of early baskets to help open a 58-53 lead. And in the final three minutes, the guards took over. Martin and Echols each scored five points to pace a 13- 4 closing run.

Sheffield, which had a 37-34 halftime lead, got 20 points from Toderick Davis, 19 from Broderick Davis and 17 from Jaylon Smith.

IN OTHER GAMES

Region 7-AAA at Brighton: Dyer County won the region championship and a spot in the state tournament by defeating Craigmont, 94-53. Tourney MVP Robert Hubbs scored 23 points for Dyer County (29-3), while LaDarius Coleman and Malcolm Taylor each scored 10 for Craigmont (17-12). The Chiefs will play at Southwind on Monday in a sectional game.

Region 8-A at Jackson: MAHS knocked off homestanding Trinity Christian Academy, 59-50, to win the region title.