Tournament MVP Kaleigh Clemons prepares to take a shot while dodging Meigs County’s Megan Lewis during Baylor’s 44-29 championship win Monday in the Times Free Press Best of Preps basketball tournament at Chattanooga State Community College.Baylor seemed to have a few advantages over Meigs County coming into the girls’ championship game of the Times Free Press Best of Preps basketball tournament at Chattanooga State. But what things could the Lady Red Raiders take the most advantage of?
To Meigs County coach Jason Powell, it probably seemed like everything. But perhaps the most telling area was Baylor’s 19-6 edge in 2-point field goals on the way to a 44-29 victory.
For Baylor (10-1), which beat the Lady Tigers 54-31 in a tournament earlier in the season, this was its third consecutive Best of Preps title. Junior point guard Kaleigh Clemons has been selected most valuable player each time.
“Every game is contested,” Baylor coach John Gibson said of the tournament. “It’s a huge atmosphere. You saw how full the gym was. All eyes are on you. It’s not easy to win.”
The tournament may not be easy to win, but the opportunity is made easier by having a player like Clemons. Her value handling the ball and passing it made her contributions far more weighty than the 35 points she totaled in three games — 10 in the final.