Signal Mountain teammates Malone Howley, left, and Travion Williams, center, and Ooltewah’s Jay Howard reach for the ball during a consolation bracket game in the Best of Preps tournament Friday at Chattanooga State.Brainerd’s girls overcame a five-point halftime deficit to beat Notre Dame 44-41 Friday in the consolation bracket on the second day of the Times Free Press Best of Preps basketball tournament at Chattanooga State.
Brainerd’s Kimia Carter led all scorers with 23 points, with 15 coming in the second half.
“I think my kids grew up a little more today,” Lady Panthers coach Stanley Jackson said. “We got a little tougher mentally. My hat’s off to Notre Dame for giving us such a good game. We got an opportunity to learn how to come back from an adverse situation after losing yesterday, and I hope we can use this to springboard us into district play.”
After scoring just three points in the second quarter, the Lady Panthers (6-4) came out of the locker room more aggressive after halftime, outscoring Notre Dame 15-6 in the third quarter, including going 11-for-12 on free throws in the period. Brainerd was 22-for-33 from the foul line for the game, with Carter 11-of-21.
Notre Dame was led by Kate Ford (13 points) and MacKenzie Johnson (11).