Scoring the first points 16 seconds into the boys’ basketball game at Brainerd gave Howard the lead Friday night. It didn’t last long at all.
Brainerd responded with 10 consecutive points on the way to building a 23-point lead at the end of one quarter and the Panthers cruised to an 80-53 victory over the Hustlin’ Tigers in the District 6-AA game.
Brainerd came into its league opener having gone 2-1 in the Martin Luther King Thanksgiving tournament, winning the first two.
“We were upset after losing our final game in Memphis,” Brainerd coach Levar Brown said. “We got whipped pretty good that last game. That left a bad taste in our mouths. Of course, it’s always easy to get up for your oldest rivalry still existing. We were very motivated to play.
“Our district is one of the toughest this side of Memphis. It’s always good to get a district win, and against a familiar opponent. I’m just pleased with the way we played on both ends of the floor.”
Jesse Walker, who totaled 13 points in the first three quarters, had six of Brainerd’s points in the early 10-0 run. The first two gave the junior 1,000 points in his high school career.
The Panthers’ defense sparked much of the first-quarter success, picking up full court after scoring and at times forcing turnovers in the backcourt and scoring again. Set up by Demba Sow’s penetration and dish, Jamaul Herman made a layup at the first-quarter buzzer to give the Panthers a 30-7 lead.
“That’s our identification,” Brown said of his team’s press. “That’s what we’re going to do. That’s what we’re prepared to do, for 30-odd minutes a game.”
Howard awakened to some degree in the second quarter, cutting the deficit to 14 points on three occasions. The last was when Marquez Williams’ double-pump scoop shot made it 38-24.
But Brainerd responded with a 10-2 spurt in the final 2:02 of the half and built the lead back to 22. By the end of the third quarter, the lead had grown to 69-39.
Keyshun Bradley topped the Panthers with 17 points, scoring 11 in the first quarter. Kentrell Evans added 10.
Markel Fitch led Howard with 14 points with 12 coming after halftime. Dwayne Lowery’s 10 points were all before halftime.
Contact Kelley Smiddie at ksmiddie@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6653. Follow him on Twitter @KelleySmiddie.