Here are five things to watch for when Silverdale Baptist Academy (30-3) faces First Assembly Christian School (25-3) in a TSSAA Division II-AA state semifinal Friday at Tennessee Tech University in Cookeville. Tipoff is set for 6 p.m. Eastern.
1. Defend to win
A tall task awaits Silverdale on the defensive end of the court as the Seahawks will face three explosive guards. Jacob Walker, a 6-foot junior, is the go-to leader for the Crusaders and has per-game averages of 19 points, six rebounds and five assists. His counterparts include a pair of extremely talented 6-4 sophomores, MJ Hayes and Cello Jackson, who average a combined 30 points. With those three leading the show for FACS, the Seahawks will have to keep their man in front of them against this Memphis-area team that likes to play fast.
2. Edge in experience
The Seahawks' three senior starters — Houston Holland, Elyjah Richardson and Brett Wright — have been lights out in their leadership roles this season. No other team left standing has more wins than Silverdale, which prior to this season had never even won a district tournament championship since the program began in 2005. FACS has only two seniors, so the veteran edge could certainly favor coach Slater Belew's 30-win team.
3. First time on big stage
After a couple of scares and three-point wins in the district tournament at Notre Dame, Silverdale has dominated in its past four postseason games at home, outscoring its competition by 73 points. Now the Seahawks will try to perform under the brightest lights they have ever played. Chattanooga has not brought home a TSSAA state championship in boys' basketball since 2007, but Silverdale could be the first since then if it can build on its perfect record (9-0) at neutral sites this season.
4. The Kennedy Okpara Show
If Okpara's monster play continues, the chances of Silverdale winning it all are certainly helped. The versatile 6-7 junior forward has averaged 23 points per game in postseason play and will have plenty of scoring chances this weekend at Tennessee Tech. He could match up a lot with Antonio McGaughey, a 6-6 freshman for FACS. Okpara will also be asked to try to slow some of the Crusaders' star guards as well.
5. Wright's big buckets
Wright has a dream opportunity to flash his elite scoring ability in a game with statewide attention. Silverdale does not live or die by one player, but if Wright catches fire from 3-point range, he can certainly take over any game. Already one of the best players to ever wear a Seahawks uniform, Wright could cement his legacy at the very top by a good margin with a heroic performance in Cookeville.
Contact Patrick MacCoon at pmaccoon@timesfreepress.com.