The Howard boys’ basketball team has not skipped a beat this season despite a leap up two classifications.
After last year’s run to the TSSAA Class AA state tournament, where the Hustlin’ Tigers almost beat Jackson South Side in the quarterfinals, they have been tough when they take the court. Especially at Henry W. Bowles Gymnasium.
Senior point guard Mark Greer was in the zone there on Friday night as he scored 24 points, drilled five of his six 3-pointers in the second half and added seven assists in Howard’s 71-52 District 5-4A win over Ooltewah. The victory elevated James Talley’s team to 10-0 on their court this season.
“Last year we came up short in the state tournament, and I remember Coach Talley coming up to me saying next year’s team is going to go as far as you go,” said Greer, who has made six 3-pointers twice on his home court. “I try to lead on and off the court because a lot of young people look up to me. I want to be a good role model for those who will come up through Howard after me.”
The Hustlin’ Tigers (19-7, 9-3) have benefited from stingy defense and the hot hand between a trio of talented guards in Greer, sophomore Jaylen Taylor and explosive senior Jadon Jenkins. The Owls were held to 16 points in the first half Friday before 1,000-point career scorer and senior guard Deleon Petty turned it on for the visitors, getting 10 of his 14 points in the third quarter.
With a week left in the regular season, Howard could clinch the No. 1 district tournament seed – locking up an automatic region berth – if McMinn County loses one of its last two district contests.
“The crazy thing is this summer we played in a lot of team camps with the teams in our district ,and we were getting drug,” Talley said. “We went to the drawing board and got in the weight room. There is not a bad team in this district. However, we aren’t suprised at the results because we know our expectations and what we are trying to work for.”
Talley added: “Greer is a guy his teammates will follow. He is always uplifting others and is such a likeable person. You couldn’t ask for a better kid and leader for our team.”
McMinn County 55, Bradley Central 52: Caden Hester and Tucker Monroe led the Cherokees (18-9, 6-2) to the big road win by combining for 33 points and six assists.
East Hamilton 76, Central 58: Juan Bullard scored 16 points and Zachariah Laboo and Ashton Munson added a dozen for the Hurricanes in their victory. For the Purple Pounders, DJ Sanderfer scored 12 and Matthew Sharper chipped in 11.
Hixson 52, Signal Mountain 49: Kaden Herman scored 24 points and grabbed six steals for the winning Wildcats, who also received 14 points from TJ Earls. Signal Mountain’s Andrew Matukewicz had 23 points.
Boyd Buchanan 52, Arts & Sciences 39: The Buccaneers (14-10) allowed only four first-half points, and their scoring in the game was led by Caden Johnson (17 points) and Jacob Shockley (15). Jarius Cameron had 10 points for CSAS.
Northwest Whitfield 78, Heritage 44: Will Anderson scored 18 of his game-high 26 points – 15 via 3-pointers – in the third quarter as the Bruins rolled to the GHSA Region 7-AAAA win. Tyrus Ramsey added 15 points and Patrick Baker 14 for Northwest.
Trion 59, Mount Zion-Carroll 51: Jase Mason scored 15 points to lead the Bulldogs (7-17, 7-10 Region 6-A public) to victory, with Ben Allen and Greyson Petty each adding 11.
GIRLS
Ooltewah 56, Howard 25: The Lady Owls picked up their 13th victory behind a strong showing from senior Faith O’Donnell who scored 19 points and made four 3s. Jordan McCollough added 15 points and McKenzie Bernier had 12 in the win.
Boyd Buchanan 60, Arts & Sciences 38: The Lady Buccaneers (19-5) got 17 points from Dani Reeves and 12 from Sarah Durham in the win. Violet Wright led CSAS with 14 points.
Bradley Central 69, McMinn County 47: Hannah Jones scored 27 points and reeled in 15 rebounds ,while Karsee Weber made a trio of 3s while scoring 17 points for the Bearettes (21-3, 10-0 District 5-4A).
GPS 51, Silverdale Baptist 31: CJ Polk scored 15 points and Kennedy Ball added 11 as the Bruisers played stout defense to post a victory.
LFO 65, Coahulla Creek 46: Angel Simmons scored 16 of her game-high 22 points in the first half as Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe improved to 22-1 overall and 14-0 in GHSA Region 6-AAA. The win clinched the top spot in the upcoming region tournament and a bye into the semifinals that guarantees a state playoff berth. Christen Collins added 15 points and Christina Collins 11 for the Lady Warriors. Brinkley Reed led Coahulla Creek with 17 points.
Ringgold 47, Rockmart 26: Baileigh Pitts had a double-double with 20 points and 10 rebounds, with Rachel Lopez adding 14 points, five rebounds, five assists and three steals in the win for the Lady Tigers (18-6, 11-4 Region 6-AAA).
Mount Zion-Carroll 50, Trion 31: The Lady Eagles (19-6, 11-1 Region 6-A public) avenged their lone league loss to the Lady Bulldogs (16-7, 11-1) to force a tie for first place in the regular-season finale for each team. I’ziah McCutchins topped Trion with 19 points, with Ransley Lawrence adding nine.
Compiled by Patrick MacCoon and Lindsey Young. Contact them at sports@timesfreepress.com.