Prep basketball roundup: Suffocating defense helps McCallie improve to 19-1

Staff photo by Patrick MacCoon / McCallie 7-foot-1 center David Craig (44) continued his dominance on the defensive end for the Blue Tornado in Friday's region win at Chattanooga Christian.
Staff photo by Patrick MacCoon / McCallie 7-foot-1 center David Craig (44) continued his dominance on the defensive end for the Blue Tornado in Friday's region win at Chattanooga Christian.

Trying to score against McCallie has been a difficult task this basketball season.

Attempt to crash the paint, and there stands 7-foot-1 center David Craig. Want to get into a rhythm from 3-point range? That's tough against long-armed guards Kollin Claridy, Wilson Rankin and Milos Stijepovic. On top of that, tough face-guarding by Will Kwasigroch and Parker Robison leaves little room for opponents to operate.

The Blue Tornado's defense was dominant again Friday night in a 54-21 win at Chattanooga Christian School, with McCallie improving to 19-1 overall and 2-0 in Division II-AA East Region play.

Offensively, Rankin led with 17 points, including a trio of 3-pointers and an impressive left-handed finish through a foul in the third quarter.

"Guards can get into a bind when they play us, and David is someone you don't want to mess with," said Rankin, who scored a dozen points in the second half to help seal the win. "We have held teams almost under 40 points every game, which is crazy - especially from last year, when CCS was battling us into the fourth quarter. This team definitely feels a little bit different than the past three I have been with."

McCallie has allowed an average of 37 points per game, with only five opponents scoring more than 40.

CCS had a tough time handling McCallie's pressure up top, which led to several steals by Robison and Co. After one of those thefts, Robison threaded the needle from the defensive end with a beautiful lead bounce pass to Drew Hamilton, who scored, was fouled and finished the three-point play.

Soon after, Claridy picked off a pass and took it the rest of the way for a 28-10 lead. Another steal by Robison led to another fast break, this one finished by Craig's two-handed slam.

Bradley Central 60, Howard 52: Aiden McClary had 16 points, 12 rebounds and three steals as he sparked the home win for the Bears, who outscored the Hustlin' Tigers 20-12 in the fourth quarter. Howard was led in scoring by Mark Greer with 15 points, MyQuise Thomas with 14 and Jadon Jenkins with 12.

Knoxville Catholic 59, Baylor 51: Baylor's Eli Sparkman and Cam Sparks scored 12 points apiece, while Zane Restelli chipped in 11 and Nyziah Whaley 10 in the road loss. Knoxville Catholic's B.J. Edwards scored 27.

Van Buren County 55, South Pittsburg 52: The Eagles allowed only six points in the fourth, while John Allen scored eight points - six on free throws - in the period to help secure the road win. Allen totaled 15 points and Ethan McCoy added 13 for Van Buren. South Pittsburg's Reggie Hunter scored 14.

Marion County 88, Whitwell 42: Trent Phillips made seven 3-pointers in a 25-point performance to lead the winning Warriors, whose Dillon Fulfer added 14 points with strong play in the paint.

Cedartown 55, Heritage 32: The Bulldogs rolled to the GHSA Region 7-AAAA win behind 14 points from M.J. Holiday, with Kaleb Biddle pacing Heritage with eight.

Calhoun 65, Cartersville 54: Peyton Law had 18 points to lead a trio of double-digit scorers for the Yellow Jackets (11-5, 3-1 Region 7-AAAAA), with Dylan Faulkner adding 15 and freshman Emaree Winston 12 in the win.

GIRLS

Bradley Central 94, Howard 14: Shamiya Francis and Harmonie Ware scored 16 points apiece to lead the Bearettes, who had 31 steals. Emari Owens led Howard with nine points.

Van Buren County 55, South Pittsburg 32: Van Buren sophomore Layla Bouldin made five 3s as she scored 32 points, and Kaylee Garrell knocked down four 3s in the victory.

LFO 59, Ringgold 43: Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe took a 19-4 lead after one quarter, led by 12 of Christen Collins' 19 points, to post the GHSA Region 6-AAA win. Angel Simmons added 15 points and Christina Collins 13 for LFO (18-0, 10-0). Ringgold (14-5, 8-3) was led by Rachel Lopez, who had 19 points, four assists and four steals.

Trion 43, Drew Charter 34: The Lady Bulldogs (12-5) improved to 7-0 in Region 6-A as Ransley Lawrence posted a game-high 23 points.

Calhoun 74, Cartersville 27: The Lady Yellow Jackets (14-4, 4-0 Region 7-AAAAA) rolled as Britiya Curtis scored a game-high 27, with Sa'Niah Dorsey adding 11 points and Malysha Winston 10.

Roundup reports compiled by Patrick MacCoon and Lindsey Young. Contact them at sports@timesfreepress.com.

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