Hunter Miller (CPA) and John "Silk" Jenkins (Station Camp) both scored 16 and the Tennessee YOMCA Tigers coasted to a 83-53 win over the Franklin Rage in the championship game of the Central sub-state at Goodpasture.
The Tigers ran through the competition but never put together a whole game until the 'ship. The Tigers increased their lead in each stanza getting solid efforts from Gabe Campbell (Bearden), Miles Asafo-Adjei (Ensworth), who may be the best on ball defender n the state, and Blake Jenkins (Bearden).
Jenkins was solid all weekend scoring 10 in the title game and 23 in the semi-final win against the Nashville Gators. Blake scored from the outside, swooping drives to the bucket and timely alley-oops and offensive put-backs.
The Rage had a momentous tourney playing two overtime thrillers before falling to the Tigers. James Haddix (Franklin) and Peyton Henry (Franklin) scored 12 and 10 respectively in the title game to lead the Rage.
In the semi-final the Rage used every bit of Michael Young (Franklin) 17 points to slip by Team Nashville 78-72. The overtime contest concluded with TNF playing the game with only four players. Adrain Williamson (Hume Fogg) led the scoring with 22, followed closely by Marquis Rudolph (Northwest) with 20. Joining Young in the scoring column for the Rage, big Haddix added 16 while Austin Pace (Franklin) and Kevin Kegarise (Franklin) added 13 apiece.
The quartfinal match-up between the rage and Mid-State Ballerz East was what the experts call an instant classic. The Rage managed another 70-67 overtime win on a 25 footer from Michael Young but the events leading up that heroic shot were the stuff of legends.
The Rage seemed to be in control late with a slight lead and their best shooter at the line. He missed the front end of a one and one but the Rage got another opportunity in the double bonus and missed both of them. The Ballerz searching for a miracle found him in the form of Trey Carruthers (Harpeth) who simply knocked the bottom out of this shot and the game was tied 62 all after regulation.
The overtime once again went down the wire with Caruthers knocking downa huge three to knot the score at 67 before Young's heave at the buzzer gave the Rage the victory.
Young finished the contest with 27 large and really stepped up with the game on the line. The Ballerz got 12 points from Dustin Craig (Bearden), despite some pesky foul trouble that kept him out of the game for extended periods of time. Tyler Edwards (Oakland) added 10 in the tough loss.
In the consolation game the Nashville Gators behind 22 points from Brendan Connelly (Father Ryan) slipped by Team Nashville to capture the coveted third spot in the state tourney. Connelly was consistent throughout the weekend scoring on the block, blocking some shots and grabbing his share of boards. The 6'8 youngster proved he could play with anyone in the gym and will be someone to keep on the radar as the summer progresses. Gentry Horton (Columbia Central) added 18 in the win.
Rudolph was high man for the TNF WITH 19. The Clarksville native had a solid weekend scoring off the press or taking his man off the dribble.
