Lions have recipe for 68-58 district win over Panthers [photos]

Red Bank's Michael Watkins (3) finds his balance while dribbling against Brainerd at Susan Ingram Thurman Gymnasium on the campus of Red Bank High School on Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2018 in Chattanooga, Tenn. Red Bank's Michael Watkins (3) finds his balance while dribbling against Brainerd at Susan Ingram Thurman Gymnasium on the campus of Red Bank High School on Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2018 in Chattanooga, Tenn.

By Kevin Llewallyn December 19, 2018 3 min read

Photo Gallery

Lions win over Panthers

Red Bank's Lucas Brown (2) takes a ball intended for Brainerd's Malik Hymon (5) at Susan Ingram Thurman Gymnasium on the campus of Red Bank High School on Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2018 in Chattanooga, Tenn.

Red Bank's Lucas Brown (2) throws up a shot behind Brainerd's Kevin Halfacre Jr. (10) at Susan Ingram Thurman Gymnasium on the campus of Red Bank High School on Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2018 in Chattanooga, Tenn.

Red Bank's Lakerrick Ellison (20) takes a charge from Brainerd's Jonte Williams (20) at Susan Ingram Thurman Gymnasium on the campus of Red Bank High School on Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2018 in Chattanooga, Tenn.

Brainerd's Cavonte McKibbnes (22) is fouled by Red Bank's Brandon Jones (11) at Susan Ingram Thurman Gymnasium on the campus of Red Bank High School on Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2018 in Chattanooga, Tenn.

Brainerd's Terry Jackson Jr. (34) and Ciante Chaney (24) react to a big dunk from teammate Trey Owten (3) during their game against Red Bank at Susan Ingram Thurman Gymnasium on the campus of Red Bank High School on Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2018 in Chattanooga, Tenn.

Brainerd's Cavonte McKibbnes (22) puts up a shot against Red Bank at Susan Ingram Thurman Gymnasium on the campus of Red Bank High School on Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2018 in Chattanooga, Tenn.

Red Bank's Tory Sewell (5) passes the ball against Brainerd at Susan Ingram Thurman Gymnasium on the campus of Red Bank High School on Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2018 in Chattanooga, Tenn.

Red Bank's Lucas Brown (2) puts up a shot past Brainerd's LaDerron Freeman (4) at Susan Ingram Thurman Gymnasium on the campus of Red Bank High School on Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2018 in Chattanooga, Tenn.

Brainerd coach Levar Brown reacts during their game against Red Bank at Susan Ingram Thurman Gymnasium on the campus of Red Bank High School on Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2018 in Chattanooga, Tenn.

Red Bank's Lakerrick Ellison (20) blocks a shot from Brainerd's Malik Hymon (5) at Susan Ingram Thurman Gymnasium on the campus of Red Bank High School on Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2018 in Chattanooga, Tenn.

Red Bank's Tory Sewell (5) celebrates after beating Brainerd at Susan Ingram Thurman Gymnasium on the campus of Red Bank High School on Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2018 in Chattanooga, Tenn.

Brainerd's Malik Hymon (5) steps back on Red Bank's Calvin Jackson (10) at Susan Ingram Thurman Gymnasium on the campus of Red Bank High School on Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2018 in Chattanooga, Tenn.

Red Bank's Tory Sewell (5) goes up for a shot against Brainerd's Malik Hymon (5) at Susan Ingram Thurman Gymnasium on the campus of Red Bank High School on Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2018 in Chattanooga, Tenn.

Red Bank's Michael Watkins (3) drives against Brainerd at Susan Ingram Thurman Gymnasium on the campus of Red Bank High School on Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2018 in Chattanooga, Tenn.

Brainerd's Malik Hymon (5) drives against Red Bank at Susan Ingram Thurman Gymnasium on the campus of Red Bank High School on Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2018 in Chattanooga, Tenn.

The main ingredient in Red Bank coach Nick Fike’s “recipe” for winning basketball: withstand runs.

That’s what was written on the board in the Lions’ locker room Tuesday night before they hosted dangerous District 6-AA foe Brainerd. Fike knew exactly what to cook up, as Red Bank held off a furious fourth-quarter rally by the Panthers for an emotional 68-58 victory.

“Things are going to go wrong,” Fike said. “Good teams go on runs. They’re going to go on one, and we have to remain poised and counter.”

That advice was tested in the final quarter by a suffocating full-court press by Brainerd that resulted in 11 Red Bank turnovers.

After taking an 11-point lead early in the quarter, the Lions had that margin trimmed to one after a flurry of fast-break baskets for the Panthers that was punctuated by a thunderous dunk by Trey Owten.