It was the most talked about game of the year each and every time they clashed in Memphis, so why not take the show on the road and present it to the masses for the ultimate prize.
Ladies and gentlemen, I give you Melrose vs. White Station, Volume 5.
"Mighty" Chris Jones (Melrose) scored 23 points and nationally ranked junior sensation Adonis Thomas (Melrose) added 19 as the Golden Wildcats overcame a tough and hard nosed Bearden squad to escape with a 69-57 victory and another date with Joe and the Spartans.
The score was not at all indicitive of the game by any means. Bearden held strong for three quarters before size, athleticism and length simply proved to be too much.
Ty Greene (Bearden) concluded an amazing junior season leading the Bulldogs with 19 points and never giving up till the final buzzer. Classmate Rico White (Bearden) added 15 for Bearden.
Meanwhile in the other semi-final contest, Andre Hollins (White Station) scored 20 points and picked up some of the scoring slack as the Spartans finally pulled away from a fiesty, well-coached Clarksville Northeast squad 74-62 to set up the showdown with Melrose.
Telvin James (Clarksville Northeast) played an outstanding game scoring 27 points and willing his team as they chipped away at a large early deficit to close the gap to 6 with 1:36 left on the game clock.
Sophomore post Alex Poythress (Clarksville Northeast) finished with 14 for the Eagles.
Joining Hollins in the scoring column were classmate Marvin Williams (White Station) who stepped up big in this one scorig 18 points and Mr. Basketball finalist and McDonald's All-American Joe Jackson (White Station), who would overcome a slow start and finish with 18 points.
The epic encounter tips off tomorrow at 6:00.
