Staff Photo by Tim Barber/Chattanooga Times Free Press/ Feb 11, 2011 – McCallie’s Cordell James (40) drives around Father Ryan’s Matt Rovillier (24) in first half action Friday at McCallie. McCallie led 15-9 at the half.McCallie has gained its notoriety this basketball season as a fast-paced, offensive team.
Tested by a slow-paced Father Ryan squad Friday night, the Blue Tornado showed they can get the job done defensively as well.
Chad Lee matched Father Ryan’s first-half output with nine points, and Cordell James outdid the Irish’s 16 points with 19 of his own in the second half as 10th-ranked McCallie won 48-25 at home. The Tornado earned at least the East/Middle Region’s second seed for the upcoming Division II-AA state tournament.
McCallie (17-5, 6-1) now will have to play the waiting game. Current top region seed Ensworth has games remaining Tuesday and Wednesday against Brentwood Academy and Battle Ground Academy. If it loses either, Ensworth would have to face McCallie in a one-game playoff for top seeding.
But the Tornado had to get past the Irish first, and it wasn’t easy from a patience standpoint. Second-ranked Father Ryan (15-6, 7-4) held the ball for a minute and a half. The deliberate pace was meant to slow McCallie’s preferred pace, and the result was a 6-5 Tornado lead after a quarter.