McCallie runs away with Best of Preps tournament title

McCallie has no trouble taking out Central 69-49 to win boys' championship

McCallie's JaVaughn Craig, right, presses into Central's Terron Hayes during their Times Free Press Best of Preps basketball tournament championship game at Chattanooga State Technical Community College on Tuesday, Dec. 29, 2015, in Chattanooga, Tenn.
McCallie's JaVaughn Craig, right, presses into Central's Terron Hayes during their Times Free Press Best of Preps basketball tournament championship game at Chattanooga State Technical Community College on Tuesday, Dec. 29, 2015, in Chattanooga, Tenn.

It was a recurring theme during the three days of the Best of Preps Basketball Tournament at Chattanooga State, and nobody on the boys' side could do anything to alter it.

The McCallie Blue Tornado wave of talent was again too much Tuesday night in the championship game, turning a much-anticipated matchup with Central into a 69-49 rout. McCallie (12-1) started quickly and never looked back as its 15-man rotation steadily kept building the lead.

"We needed our depth to be a factor because we want to play a bunch of guys," winning coach John Shulman said. "We pride ourselves on getting stops on the defensive and make them play faster than they wanted to."

McCallie put 12 players into the scoring column, and Shulman again wasn't shy about subbing multiple players at one time. On the other hand, Central, with guard Emmanuel Lane out due to a family commitment, played only six players.

Max Shulman hit two quick 3-pointers and Mac Hunt hit another one later in the first period as the Blue Tornado built a 17-10 lead after one. That lead quickly grew to double digits on another Hunt trey early in the second quarter, and it never got any closer. Hunt led the Tornado with 12 points.

"They got off to a great start shooting the basketball, and we didn't respond well," Central coach Rick Rogers said. "They got that early lead and it was just hard to overcome, especially when they keep bringing in those fresh legs every minute.

"Tonight wasn't our night. They outplayed us, and my hat's off to Coach Shulman and his staff."

The McCallie lead, 15 at halftime, grew to 20 on an Adrian Thomas three-point play a minute into the second half, and it stood at 22 when the Purple Pounders (9-1) made one last attempt at a rally.

Central's Terron Hayes, who had a game-high 17 points, hit three 3-pointers in a three-minute span of the third quarter to cut the margin to 13 late in the period.

However, McCallie's Seth Clark and JaVaughn Craig scored 10 consecutive points to open the fourth to put the game, and the title, away.

"We got better this week and the kids were excited to play in this tournament," Shulman said. "What a great atmosphere, and we appreciate getting the chance to play in it."

Contact Lindsey Young at lyoung@timesfrepress.com or at 423-757-6296; follow on Twitter @youngsports22.

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