Is the best basketball played in the Western part of the state?
The debate has long raged but this year the verdict is in.....Raleigh Egypt vs. White Station for the gold ball.
Raleigh Egypt 82
Walker Valley 59
Ronald Brown scored 20 and the Pharoahs used a 17-3 third quarter onslaught to get past a scrappy Walker Valley bunch 82-59 and advance into the title game against city rival White Station.
Brown had his second good night of the tourney while teammates Reggie Fondren (14pts.) and seniors Gentry Hines and Anthony Jones (10 pts.) provided the catalyst for the Raleigh Egypt victory.
Walker Valley will finish a wonderful season at 34-2 and was led in scoring by Carson Newman signee David Ware, who finished with a game high 20 points. Brice Sharp and Micah Hawkins added 17 and 13 respectively.
White Station 46
Clarksville Northeast 36
A heavy dose of Joe Jackson (22 pts.) and a 15-2 fourth quarter rush to the finish line lifted the Spartans of White Station to a semi-final victory over the giant killer Clarksville Northeast.
Hardcore hoops fans must have thought they were seeing deja vue all over again as the Eagles scrapped and fought themselves right into the thick of things after three quarters.
Northeast, as we all know, fought and scored big and late to get past the states top ranked squad Bearden the night before and were primed to do the same to Spartans on this evening.
Jackson and sophomore Andre Hollins, who would finish with 11 points, helped key the Spartans sprint to the end of regulation.
The Spartans now set up an all Memphis finale with a 5:00 tip against the Pharoahs of Raleigh Egypt.
Manassas 60
Grace Baptist 48
The Tigers got one step closer to their ultimate goal with a 60-48 win over Grace Baptist.
Mr. Basketball finalist and Ole Miss signee Reginald Buckner led the charge with 19 points and 13 boards. Senior post Kendall Woodard also managed a double/double with 13 markers and 10 caroms.
Junior Brandon Herman dropped 11 for the Golden Eagles while Charleston Southern signee Patrick Shaughnessy chipped in with 10 points and 9 boards.
Temple 55
Summertown 47
Jeremy Sexton confirmed his Mr. Basketball finalist nomination by scoring 29 points and grabbing 10 boards while leading the Crusaders of Temple past a tough, hardnosed Summertown squad 55-47 and earn a spot in the state championship game against powerful Manassas.
Summertown was led by Mr. Basketball finalist Wes Long and fellow senior Logan Harville each contributing 16 points.
