The last boys’ first-round game Thursday in the Times Free Press Best of Preps basketball tournament at Chattanooga State featured multiple small scoring spurts.
Brainerd managed to have a few more than Ooltewah, and some timely ones at that, and the Panthers ended up defeating the Owls 65-55.
Brainerd (10-2) will play Baylor at 8:30 tonight in the second semifinal and final game of the day again. Coach Levar Brown said his team will have to have a better showing than Thursday’s to compete with the Red Raiders.
“The minor mistakes we made tonight are going to show up tomorrow,” Brown said. “We’re going to have to do a better job on the boards because of their length and height. We know they’re going to execute their offense. We’re going to have to be better disciplined on defense.”
Ooltewah (4-7) will play in the consolation bracket against Heritage at 2:30.