MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – Overwhelmed by the atmosphere at last year’s state tournament, Brainerd’s boys’ basketball team looked right at home on the Murphy Center court for Thursday’s Class AA quarterfinals at Middle Tennessee State University.
Just how comfortable were the Panthers?
Early in the game, as he made his way back onto the floor after a timeout, Brainerd junior Vesta Melvin was singing along to the music blaring over the public address system, and several times everyone on the Brainerd bench jumped to their feet after a big shot or thunderous dunk.
And just like that, a year after losing by double figures in the opening round of state, Brainerd administered its own thumping with a resounding 76-52 win over Christian Academy of Knoxville that moves the Panthers into today’s semifinals.
“That was the difference, just how relaxed and confident we were this time around,” said Brainerd coach Levar Brown, whose team improved to 29-5. “We were very unhappy with the feeling we left with last year when CPA (Christ Presbyterian Academy of Nashville) showed us how you’re supposed to play at this level.