Brainerd's Kentrell Evans (10) dribbles down court as Tyner's Kaylon Fleming (30) chases during their game at the Rams home court on Friday, Feb. 6, 2015. Sweat poured from the fans in the stands.
The furnaces inside the Tyner gym were pumping, almost every seat was occupied and tension from the game against District 6-AA rival Brainerd increased the heat even more as the quarters and minutes ticked away and finally the last 11.2 seconds.
Brainerd won 50-49 on a designed out-of-bounds play resulting in a one-foot kiss off the glass from Dajuenta Ross with three ticks to tock.
"The ball didn't bounce our way, but it was a typical Tyner-Brainerd game with a typical Tyner-Brainerd atmosphere," Tyner coach Gerald Harris said. "That's the way these games go in this district."
Tyner sophomore Kevin Cameron led all players with 19 points and gave the Rams (13-8, 8-3) a one-point lead by sinking two free throws with 11.2 seconds left. Ross and Kentrell Evans led the Panthers with 13 points each.
"It was an intense game. Both teams went on runs -- just a good game," Evans said. "It's hot in the Tyner gym."
Brainerd secured the District 6-AA championship earlier in the week. The victory Friday gave the Panthers (18-5, 12-0) a perfect district season.
"We've been tested in every game because every gets up to play us," said Brainerd coach Levar Brown, whose team had won eight straight district games by at least 10 points. "I'm proud of my kids for the way they persevered through a lot of adversity."
The Panthers led 12-10 after the first quarter, which the teams played at a slow pace as Brainerd used its size and length by defending in a 2-3 zone. That also helped neutralize Cameron, who Harris said is the Rams' most important player.
Brainerd led 24-23 when the Tyner dance team performed to hits including "Digital Luv" and "Every Little Step" at halftime.
Tyner opened the third quarter with a 7-0 run. Brainerd responded and the teams headed to the fourth quarter tied at 36.
Brainerd pulled ahead by seven with 3:43 to play. A 3-pointer by Jeremy Elston from the right wing with 28 seconds left pulled Tyner within one. Brainerd missed the front end of a bonus free-throw situation.
Cameron followed by sinking two free throws for the 49-48 edge.
Evans drove the court and absorbed a foul, which gave the Panthers a chance at the lead. He missed the front end of his set of free throws. Both teams scrambled for the rebound, resulting in jump-ball. The arrow pointed to the Panthers.
They play they called worked to perfection. Ross slid across the lane and posted up. He caught the pass and laid the ball in off the glass.
"All my family was here, so it was just real exciting," Evans said. "I saw Ross come across and I knew just to hit him.
"I was shaking, but I knew to hit him."
And Ross hit the game-winner.
Contact David Uchiyama at duchiyama@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6484. Follow him at twitter.com/UchiyamaCTFP.