Notre Dame’s Nick Ellis, left, plays defense against Malik Dodds of CSAS during the Chattanooga Times Free Press Best of Preps basketball tournament on Monday.A simple threat and a simple switch were all it took for the Arts & Sciences boys’ basketball team to get going Monday.
With the Patriots trailing Notre Dame by one at halftime, coach Mark Dragoo told them they would meet to practice at 7 this morning if they didn’t begin playing better. Dragoo also moved Alex Stallion from point guard to 2-guard, sliding Sharif Cobb to the point.
The moves made an immediate impact as CSAS took command with a 21-6 third quarter, resulting in a 70-43 victory in the opening round of the Best of Preps Tournament. The Patriots also picked up the pace defensively, holding the Fighting Irish to one field goal in the second half before the final two minutes of the game.
“I think the threat of practicing early certainly got their attention,” Dragoo said. “And I just thought Alex needed to settle down, so we moved Sharif over to the point, and that seemed to help.”
Cobb led all scorers with 26 points and Stallion added 14. CSAS improved to 8-0 for the season and already has wins over Brainerd and Howard in the same season for the first time in school history.