Sexton scores 28; Temple advances

As the only player on his team with state-tournament experience, Jeremy Sexton knew Tennessee Temple Academy’s shot at returning rested in his hands.

One minute into the third quarter, with Temple trailing by eight, the junior wing officially took over the Class A sectional at Tennessee Temple University and led the Crusaders to a 57-48 victory over Westmoreland.

Sexton, who began what would become a game-changing 13-0 run, scored 22 of his 28 points in the second half. He scored 12 in the third quarter as Temple earned the chance to defend its state title and advanced to the state tournament for the sixth time in the last seven years.

“I think I was forcing a lot of my shots in the first half,” said Sexton, who also made all eight of his free throws and grabbed nine rebounds. “I was nervous. I think we all were, but my coaches told me to keep shooting.

“We work on defense every day at practice, and that’s what got us going on that run.”

The Crusaders (23-9), who have won seven straight games, scored the game’s first two baskets, but after point guard James Kemp was called for his second foul two minutes into the game, Temple’s offense rarely looked comfortable the remainder of the half. Kemp sat out the remainder of the first half.

A 9-0 run late in the second put Westmoreland ahead by eight, and the Eagles scored the first five points of the second half to equal its largest lead.

But that’s when Sexton, who is averaging 26 points in Temple’s six postseason games, became more assertive. After a long jumper, he blocked a Westmoreland shot and raced to the other end of the court for a layup. On the Eagles’ next possession, Sexton stole a pass and again outran defenders for a layup as Temple ended the quarter on a 17-2 run.

Temple scored 22 points off the 14 second-half turnovers its defense created.

“There were a lot of nerves by our kids, including Jeremy,” said first-year Crusaders coach Caleb Marcum. “People talk about the program’s state-tournament experience, but the thing is this is a whole new team. When Kemp sat, I had to bring in a freshman and a sophomore off the bench to run the offense.

“Besides Jeremy, none of the other kids have the experience. Next year was supposed to be our year, but I told the kids that I didn’t want to wait because you’re not guaranteed anything next year.”

Once Temple took the lead late in the third period, Westmoreland never got closer than five in the fourth. After making four of its first eight 3-point attempts, Westmoreland (20-10) was just 1-of-10 the rest of the way. The Eagles connected on just 23 percent of their second-half shots.