With a championship-caliber roster that has faced one of the toughest schedules of any boys’ basketball team in Tennessee this season, Baylor earned a key victory in TSSAA Division II-AA East Region play Friday night with a 64-58 triumph at McCallie.
The latest clash was bigger than many previously in the rivalry as both entered the meeting tied for second in DII-AA in the first Associated Press state poll of the season, with each having a win over Knoxville Catholic in region play.
Zane Restelli drilled his fifth 3-pointer, despite his momentum taking him out of bounds from the left corner, to build a commanding 54-38 lead for the Red Raiders with less than seven minutes to play. Restelli’s crazy shot came on a perfect over-the-top pass from Nyziah Whaley, who has been electric lately for Baylor (13-3, 2-0).
“Tonight was a residual of us playing such a hard schedule,” said Baylor head coach Mark Price, whose team has faced some of the top-tier teams from Alabama, Mississippi and New York this season. “We were prepared for this game with these guys battling against such a hard schedule. We have a really talented team, and they are now ready for big games like this. I thought our tough schedule manifested this and brought good results for us.”