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).
Brainerd will face Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe in the girls' fifth-place game at 1 p.m. today.
Notre Dame will take on Girls Preparatory School in the seventh-place game at 10 a.m.
LFO 46, GPS 39, OT
The Lady Warriors outscored the Bruisers 24-8 in the fourth quarter and the extra period to pull off the comeback overtime victory in the first game of the girls' consolation bracket.
Down 31-22 heading into the fourth quarter, the Lady Warriors' comeback was sparked by Anna Rountree, who had 10 points in the period. LFO maintained that momentum into overtime, holding the Bruisers scoreless on its way to victory.
Macey Gregg scored a game-high 16 points to pace the Lady Warriors (5-9), and Jaylah Love scored nine points to lead GPS (6-6).
Ooltewah boys 55, Signal Mountain 30
The Owls used stingy defense to hold Signal Mountain to just 10 points in the first half on their way to victory in the opening game of the boys' consolation bracket.
Matt Serven scored 15 points to lead Ooltewah (9-5), while Logan Henry chipped in 14 and Greyson Wood had 10.
The Owls limited the Eagles to just one 3-point basket in the first quarter and took a 25-10 lead into halftime. The Eagles (7-12) closed to within 10 points heading into the final period, but Ooltewah scored 24 in the fourth to pull away.
Terrance Russell and Oden Stiles had eight points apiece to lead Signal Mountain.
Ooltewah will face McCallie in the boys' fifth-place game at 2:30 p.m. today.
Signal Mountain will take on Notre Dame in the seventh-place game at 11:30 a.m.
McCallie 61, Notre Dame 26
After losing in double overtime to East Hamilton on Thursday to end its chance to win a fourth straight Best of Preps title, McCallie took out its frustration on the Fighting Irish in a dominant victory.
The Blue Tornado held Notre Dame to just two field goals and seven points in the first half as they built a 25-7 lead before cruising.
Eric Rivers scored 12 points to lead McCallie (9-4), while Anthony Watkins had 10.
Tarik Nelson led Notre Dame with seven points.
Contact Kevin Llewallyn at sports@timesfreepress.com.
