McCallie’s Dr Pepper Classic brings with it each year a chance high school basketball fans will get to see a future NBA talent in Chattanooga. The first five years of the event has produced nine such extraordinary players.
Former Hamilton Heights Christian Academy standout Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has turned into a star for the Oklahoma City Thunder, averaging nearly 22 points and 6.5 assists per game. Other Dr Pepper Classic almuni playing in the league include Jaren Jackson Jr. of the Memphis Grizzlies, Keldon Johnson of the San Antonio Spurs and Anthony Edwards of the Minnesota Timberwolves, the No. 1 overall pick in last year’s draft.
On Friday there were perhaps even more future professional talents on the floor.
The nation’s third-ranked team, IMG Academy from Bradenton, Florida, opened McCallie’s four-team showcase by rolling to a 64-46 victory over Chattanooga’s Hamilton Heights. IMG junior Eric Dailey Jr., a 6-foot-7 forward, had 15 points and five assists, and the defensive presence of 6-10 Michigan signee Moussa Diabate (four blocks) and the versatility of 6-8 junior Jarace Walker also stood out for IMG.
“I always dreamed about playing at the highest level possible,” said Dailey, who was one of four top-50 ranked national players who took the court for IMG, which is 18-2 overall under fourth-year coach Sean McAloon. “This group is tough, and everyone is good at what they do. We are definitely blessed to be where we are at. IMG Academy is like Disneyland for basketball players. I got to meet Ja Morant before he got drafted. You are always going to be around elite athletes here.”
Hamilton Heights’ Yerald Mieses scored a game-high 17 points.
“The reason why we keep coming back is simple. The people in Chattanooga are so awesome and welcoming, so I didn’t hesitate when McCallie called this year,” McAloon said. “We are grateful to be together, healthy and playing basketball.”
Knoxville Catholic’s Handje Tamba, a 6-10 junior, had 20 points and four blocks in a 59-50 win over McCallie in the night’s final game. Blue Cain added 17 points and Brian Edwards had 16 for TSSAA Division II-AA’s fourth-ranked Fighting Irish (15-2).
The Blue Tornado (8-3) received strong play from 7-foot-1 junior David Craig (12 points, nine rebounds), and Eric Rivers led the team with 13 points and made big defensive plays and passes.
Saturday’s schedule has Knoxville Catholic facing IMG at 6 p.m., with McCallie versus Hamilton Heights the finale.
Howard 60, Red Bank 27: The Hustlin’ Tigers led by 57-23 after a third quarter in which Meechie Bowens dished one of his seven assists to Kerrick Thorne for a dunk. Howard took command of second place in District 6-AA, improving to 4-1 in league play. Also in double-digit points in the road win: Mark Greer (17), Cobi Dixon (12) and Jadon Jenkins (12).
East Hamilton 79, Ooltewah 49: The Hurricanes scored 32 points in the second quarter as Class AAA’s sixth-ranked team improved to 12-2 overall and 7-1 in District 5-AAA. East Hamilton had four players score in double figures in the road victory: Marcus Long (19), Haynes Eller (14), Cade Pendleton (13) and Ashton Munston (11). Ooltewah’s Deleon Petty scored 20 points.
Central-Carroll 46, Heritage 38: Playing without leading scorer Cooper Terry, who is out with a foot injury, the Generals (13-6, 9-2 GHSA Region 7-AAAA) lost to Central (14-8, 5-4), which was led by JoJo Bell’s 18 points. Caden Snyder led Heritage with 10 points.
Christian Heritage 55, Darlington 48: Jax Abernathy scored 20 points in the win for the Lions (15-2, 5-0 Region 7-A private), followed by Nash Bingham with 12 points and four assists, Zundra Jackson with 13 points and Evan Lester with nine points and seven rebounds.
GIRLS’ BASKETBALL
Silverdale Baptist Academy 48, Boyd Buchanan 40: Senior point guard Tessa Gibson scored 15 points as the Lady Seahawks (17-7, 6-0 Division II-A East District 2) earned their eighth straight win, while Becca Lamb added 14 in the home victory. Boyd Buchanan’s Dani Reeves scored 17 points, and Jalissa Sanders added 15.
Sequatchie County 49, Bledsoe County 28: Dylan Belk scored 16 points for the Lady Indians, who jumped out to a 22-4 lead early. Sequatchie County’s Ella Edgmon added 10 points and seven steals, and Abby Smith had eight rebounds in the victory.
Bradley Central 77, Walker Valley 32: Lee University signee Anna Muhonen scored 20 points on 9-of-11 shooting and blocked four shots for the Bearettes (15-1, 7-0 District 5-AAA), who led 42-9 at halftime in their 90th straight win over a district opponent.
Rockmart 65, Ringgold 60: The Lady Tigers (13-6, 7-5 GHSA Region 6-AAA) lost despite 17 points each from Rachel Lopez (six assists) and Maggie Reed. Baileigh Pitts added 12 points and Riley Nayadley 12 rebounds for Ringgold. Rockmart (14-6, 10-3), which outscored Ringgold 31-13 in the first quarter, was led by Keyarah Berry’s 24 points.
Trion 62, Gordon Lee 39: Linzie Thompson had 11 points and Chloe Murdock 10 for the Lady Bulldogs (15-3, 8-0 Region 6-A public) in their rivalry win.
WRESTLING
Four area teams are competing in the GHSA state duals Saturday, including Class A host Trion. Each classification is holding an eight-team double-elimination event at a high school site, beginning at 9 a.m. with quarterfinal rounds and culminating at 3 p.m. with championship rounds.
Trion is the No. 1 seed in Class A and will open against No. 8 Irwin County, with the winner facing Commerce (4) or Screven County (5). The other four teams in the field are Mount Pisgah Christian (2), Social Circle (3), St. Anne-Pacelli (6) and Landmark Christian (7).
Dade County is the No. 2 seed at the Class AA tournament at Lamar County and will open against East Laurens (7). The winner will face Vidalia (3) or host Lamar (6). Oglethorpe County is the top seed, joining No. 4 Lovett, No. 5 Banks County and No. 8 Toombs County.
Sonoraville is the No. 5 seed at the North Georgia-heavy Class AAA duals at Cherokee Bluff High School. The Phoenix, the reigning AAA traditional champions, will open against No. 4 Adairsville. That winner will face the survivor between reigning state duals champ and top-seeded North Hall and Greater Atlanta Christian (8). The rest of the field is Rockmart (2), Gilmer (3), Morgan County (6) and Hart County (7).
Dalton, an upset winner last week at a Class AAAAAA preliminary, is the seventh seed at Marietta’s Lassiter and will open against No. 2 Brunswick for the right to face either Creekview (3) or Lee County (6) match. The top seed is Alexander, which opens with Valdosta (8), with Richmond Hill (4) and Buford (5) going in the other quarterfinal.
Contact Patrick MacCoon at pmaccoon@timesfreepress.com and follow him on Twitter @PMacCoon. Contact Lindsey Young at lyoung@timesfreepress.com and follow him on Twitter @youngsports22.