Tyner led Brainerd almost the entire time in their boys’ District 6-AA high school basketball semifinal Saturday at East Ridge. Yet the Rams didn’t have total control until the final minute of their 56-44 victory.
Two of Kelvin Clay’s 21 points had Red Bank within four at the start of the second half, but Howard won 75-60 in the other semifinal. Brainerd (19-10) plays Red Bank (22-8) in the boys’ consolation game Monday, and Tyner (19-6) plays Howard (23-2) in Tuesday’s final.
In girls’ action, MiShannon Wilbanks had 30 points and Red Bank outlasted Howard 71-52 after the Lady Hustlin’ Tigers had closed within 51-49 in the fourth quarter. Brainerd trailed Central after one quarter but Tiara Boston scored 13 of her 19 points in the second half and the Lady Panthers came away with a 40-32 victory.
Brainerd (18-3) plays Red Bank (22-7) for the girls’ championship Tuesday at 6. Central (8-15) faces Howard (8-13) in Monday’s consolation game at 6.
Tyner held a six-point lead when a timeout was called with 4:57 to play. Brainerd coaches said they emphasized to their players the mental effect it would create if they could come out of that break and take a lead.