TSSAA boys’ basketball roundup: Brainerd pounces on Loudon to reach region semis

Staff photo by Matt Hamilton / Brainerd boys' basketball coach Levar Brown talks to his team during a timeout in Saturday night's Region 3-AA quarterfinal win against visiting Loudon.
Staff photo by Matt Hamilton / Brainerd boys' basketball coach Levar Brown talks to his team during a timeout in Saturday night's Region 3-AA quarterfinal win against visiting Loudon.

After stewing over a season-ending loss to Loudon for two years, the Brainerd High School boys' basketball team sizzled for 32 minutes Saturday night to earn a convincing 89-65 win over the Redskins in the TSSAA Region 2-2A quarterfinals.

"As soon as we saw the matchup, we got excited," senior guard Dennis Lewis Jr. said. "We've been talking about revenge ever since then and couldn't wait for this one."

The Panthers wasted no time in establishing dominance, racing out to an 8-0 advantage in the first two minutes, then extending the lead to double digits by the midpoint of the opening quarter.

"Our guys had been waiting and talking about this one for a while, so they were definitely ready to avenge the region loss we had to (Loudon) two years ago," said Panthers coach Levar Brown, whose team has won 11 of its past 12 games. "Our backcourt has all played together since middle school, and you can really tell they're comfortable with each other.

"Dennis is our leader. He's been a starter since his freshman year, and he's stepped up to be the leader we need in big games all season."

Although Loudon cut its deficit from 19 points to nine late in the second quarter, it was Lewis who made sure the Panthers regained control early in the second half. Lewis scored 11 of his team-high 20 points in the third quarter, including a three-point play that followed a long 3-point shot as Brainerd (19-8) pushed its lead back to 22 by the end of the quarter.

"My role on the team is to do whatever I feel like my team needs me to do," said Lewis, who connected on four 3s for the game. "Sometimes that's getting the ball to other guys, and sometimes that's taking over the game by scoring. I felt like I was hot shooting it, so that's the role I took tonight."

Boo Carter finished with 15 points and seven steals for Brainerd, Donivon Thomas added 14 points.

All four Chattanooga-area teams in the Region 2-2A tournament won their quarterfinal matchups Saturday, setting up a stressful semifinal round, where only the winners advance to the sectional round. Arts & Sciences defeated Kingston 70-61, Tyner beat Meigs County 70-51, and Polk County rallied late to win 61-59 at Sweetwater.

Tuesday's 2-2A semifinals will be at centrally located Loudon High School, where Brainerd will face Arts & Sciences at 6 p.m., followed by Tyner versus Polk County.

Arts & Sciences 70, Kingston 61: After building a 17-point lead in the first half, the Patriots held off a late rally to advance. Justin Brown led the way with 16 of his 17 points in the first half, while Jarius Cameron finished with 14 and Chris McDonald had 12.

Tyner 70, Meigs County 51: Rodney Hendereson connected on four of his five 3-pointers in the first half and led all scorers with 23 points to pace the Rams, whose Keelan Jackson added 10 points. Tyner began the game on a 15-1 run and had built a comfortable 33-13 lead by halftime.


Region 3-4A quarterfinals

Cleveland 79, Coffee County 44: The Blue Raiders rolled, led by Gabe Leeper's 17 points, while Camden Gober and Judah Sault added 15 each and Jasen Brooks scored 14.

In the other quarterfinals McMinn County beat Shelbyville 104-42, Franklin County beat Bradley Central 59-51 and Walker Valley beat Warren County 61-53.


Region 3-3A quarterfinals

Austin East 71, East Hamilton 64

Central 51, South Doyle 46

Fulton 55, Red Bank 40

Lenoir City 73, East Ridge 64


Region 3-1A quarterfinals

Sale Creek 61, Whitwell 26

South Pittsburg, 91, Copper Basin 63


Division II-A state quarterfinal

Notre Dame 59, Davidson Academy 51


Division II-AA state quarterfinal

Montgomery Bell Academy 54, Baylor 48

Contact Stephen Hargis at shargis@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6293.


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