MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — As Joel Bulis walked off the floor with 4:25 left in Chattanooga Prep’s TSSAA Class 2A state quarterfinal Wednesday, the 6-foot-6 senior and paint enforcer for the Sentinels received dozens of high-fives from teammates and coaches.
Despite fouling out with a little more than half of the fourth quarter remaining, Bulis’ presence to that point was key in what wound up being an 83-66 victory over Peabody on the opening day of this week’s BlueCross Basketball State Championships at Middle Tennessee State University’s Murphy Center.
Bulis registered his team-leading 12th double-double of the season as he scored 17 points (shooting 6-for-9 from the field and 5-for-7 at the foul line), grabbed 16 rebounds and added a pair of assists, one blocked shot and a steal in 28 game minutes. His rebounds included eight of his team’s 23 on the offensive glass, and he helped Chatt Prep finish with a 49-34 overall advantage in rebounds.
“Our coaches always overemphasize that rebounding is an effort thing,” said Bulis, who averages 10.3 rebounds per game. “Every time the ball comes off the rim, I try my best to get it.
“This is our last trip to the Glass House with everybody together. Some of my teammates I have been with since sixth grade. We just want to finish our final season together the right way and get the gold ball.”
Chattanooga Prep (20-11) put up more than 82 points for the ninth time this season, and each of the five starters for the Sentinels scored in double figures despite the team’s off-target performance from 3-point range (2-of-13) against the Golden Tide (25-7), who weren’t much better behind the arc (4-for-19).
The Sentinels now stand two victories away from becoming the area’s first boys’ basketball team to win three consecutive state championships. They’re up first in Friday’s 2A semifinals and will tip off at 10:30 a.m. Eastern against Loretto (20-10). The Mustangs defeated East Nashville 44-38 in Wednesday’s first quarterfinal, powered by Mason Tidwell’s 27 points and 19 rebounds.
The second semifinal matches Smith County (24-11), which beat Lewis County 61-60, and Westview (24-7), which beat Gatlinburg-Pittman 61-45.
While Chatt Prep senior guard Reid Conley did not hit a 3-pointer for the first time since joining the Sentinels as an offseason transfer from Hamilton Heights, he matched his season high in assists with eight. Conley also scored 15 points, as did fellow newcomer TJ Foster (Ridgeland), who set a season high with five blocks.
“No matter what game it is, I go with the flow of it,” Conley said. “If my shot is not falling, I have to find another way to contribute to the team and help us get the dub. We all came here with the purpose of winning these last three games and bringing back a third gold ball. We are focused on winning and enjoying the time we have left together.”
The Sentinels were also provided a double-double by Mr. Basketball winner Derrick Roberson, who had a powerful putback slam in the fourth quarter. The 6-5 Freed-Hardeman signee finished with 20 points (shooting 9-of-19 from the field), 10 rebounds (six offensive), three steals and a block.
(READ MORE: Kimora Fields, DJ Roberson crowned 2026 Tennessee Miss and Mr. Basketball)
Roberson, whose points and steals were game highs Wednesday, had a highlight-reel assist in the second quarter on a perfect alley-oop pass to 5-9 junior Kentrell Watkins, who showed off his incredible leaping ability on the dunk. Watkins finished with 10 points on 5-for-6 shooting and got in on the act defensively with one of Chatt Prep’s eight blocks.
“Everybody on the court can provide for us at any given time,” said Roberson, who has scored at least 20 points in 15 games this season. “It’s not just a solo person. Our power comes from everyone. The whole team. We have put so much work in, and it is showing.”
Peabody had a quartet of scorers in double figures, led by Jamarcus Haynes with 16 points. The Golden Tide led 13-10 after one quarter, but they trailed 31-24 entering halftime and never threatened after the break, with the Sentinels ahead 56-43 entering the final quarter.
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While Chatt Prep coach Christian Collins leaned heavily on his starters as each logged at least 27 minutes, senior Marquis Gardner provided stellar play off the bench in the victory. Gardner — who was a Tennessee Titans Mr. Football semifinalist this past fall and has signed with Navy in that sport — had four points and six rebounds (three offensive) in nine minutes.
All of the starters for the Sentinels had at least two assists apiece.
“We were sloppy today, but I am glad they got their nerves out. We will take the win,” coach Christian Collins said. “I always preach to these guys, if they are not doing something well, they have to do something else great. Joel really rebounded and protected the paint for us and came up big for us.”
Contact Patrick MacCoon at pmaccoon@timesfreepress.com.