The Baylor School boys' basketball team will have the chance to bring home an early Christmas present.
Tough defense and a quick start offensively helped the Red Raiders advance to the Smoky Mountain Classic championship in Gatlinburg, as they fended off Sevier County 48-44 in Tuesday's semifinals.
Baylor (5-1) won its fifth straight game and will play Gatlinburg-Pittman (5-1) in the finals Wednesday at 2:30 p.m. Mark Price's team has played strong defense this season, allowing just 48 points per game and their only loss came to undefeated Brentwood Academy by two in the season opener.
Eli Sparkman and Robert Morton each made a pair of 3-pointers to help build an 18-6 Red Raider lead over Sevier County after the first quarter.
The Smoky Bears (7-5) were led by Jonathan Zhao, who scored all 13 of his team's second quarter points to finish with 26.
Baylor's Evan Haynie helped close down the stretch as he made five second-half free throws to finish with a team-high 11 points. Senior guard Troy Boynton added nine points in the win.
Monday Game
Northwest Whitfield 57, Murray County 47: The Bruins captured the nonregion win as Ray Morrison had 16 points and Chandler Jackson 11. Morrison had eight of his points in the fourth quarter as Northwest outscored Murray 19-6. Haden Newport led the Indians with 18 points, followed by Brannon Nuckolls with 11.
GIRLS' BASKETBALL
Ringgold 51, Dalton 34: At the Mistletoe Madness Tournament at North Murray, Maggie Reed had 12 points and Baileigh Pitts 11, eight coming in the final period, to lead the Lady Tigers.
Monday Game
Calhoun 61, Ringgold 53: At the Mistletoe Madness Tournament at North Murray, Lyndi Rae Davis poured in a game-high 21 points, with 11 coming in the opening period, and Britaya Curtis added 13 for the Lady Yellow Jackets. Caroline Hemphill topped Ringgold with 15 points, all on 3-pointers, with Riley Nayadley finishing with 13 points.
Compiled by Patrick MacCoon and Lindsey Young.
Contact MacCoon at pmaccoon@timesfreepress.com and follow him on Twitter @PMacCoon.
Contact Young at lyoung@timesfreepress.com and follow him on Twitter @youngsports22.