Community exits early from World

CHAPEL HILL -- Tyler Christian pulled down a rebound, went back up and scored over a pair of Middle Tennessee Christian Middle defenders to cap off a 5-0 spurt and give Community Junior High a 30-29 lead with 2:38 left in their World Tournament opener on Monday night.

Community's Zeke Grissom reaches for a rebound in front of MTC's Chase Smotherman (14). (T-G Photo by Danny Parker) [Click to enlarge]

It was their first lead since the opening quarter but it would also be their last. The Cougars held the Vikings to only one basket the rest of the way and the Murfreesboro boys held on for a 35-32 win.

Zack West got off a 3-pointer in the corner just prior to the final horn but it wouldn't fall.

Just as he said he would leading into the tourney, first-year coach Jace Bryant got several players into the game as is evident by eight Vikes entering the scoring column. West led the way with seven points. Zeke Grissom added six and Sammy Bryant five.

Community (4-5) took a 6-5 upper hand midway through the first quarter before MTC scored the final five points of the frame. The Purple and Gold didn't hold the lead again till Christian's fourth-quarter bucket.

The Cougars held a 21-13 advantage at the half. Chase Smotherman netted six of his game-high 12 points in the third to help carry his team stay ahead 27-23 entering the fourth.

Parker Richardson chipped in with seven points for MTC. Ivey Starling and Steven Barker added six.

Middle Tennessee Christian 46, Community 30 (G): The Viqueen defense came out for the second half with a chip on their shoulder after surrendering 28 points in the first half. The Lady Cougars were held scoreless for four minutes until Julia Howard got a bucket to fall in the paint.

"We pretty much just stayed with our man (defense)," Community coach Kevin Hinson said. "When we were down by that 13-point margin, we played well at that point. We were just a little too late as far as getting it in the hole.

"Our man defense was pretty decent. They're just a tough team all the way around."

Viqueen Tayler Andrews gets a shot off before Lady Cougar Claire Patton (44) arrives. (T-G Photo by Danny Parker) [Click to enlarge]

Howard added one other field goal in the third for MTC's only points of the frame, but the Unionville girls were unable to take advantage of their defensive stand. A pair of Brittany Leverette free throws were all they could muster and they trailed 32-17 moving to the fourth stanza.

Credit the Lady Cougar press, which didn't allow the ball to pass center court without putting up a fight.

"They're just quick, extremely quick," Hinson said of MTC. "They've got some really young players and guards that are really quick. They can shoot it on you and drive it too. It's just hard to handle. We don't have a team where all five players are as quick and athletic as they are.

"It makes a difference. Speed kills."

Kelsie Smith's basket with 4:36 remaining in the game was Community's first of the second half. She led all scorers with 13 points, including a 3-for-4 effort at the foul line. Leverette contributed six points.

The Viqueen bench hit the hardwood looking to turn some heads over the final three minutes. Tayler Andrews made good on a pair of baskets to lead the second unit, which trimmed six points off the deficit.

"I had a couple girls step in and kind of surprised me right there," Hinson said. "We just couldn't get over the hump, 'So, OK, let's give them a shot and see what they can do.' They looked pretty good right there."

Community hosts Liberty Middle on Monday night at 6.

Liberty 49, Moore County 46 (G): The Lady Patriots carried a 25-21 lead into the half and held on against the visitors from Lynchburg in a tune-up before their appearance in the World Tournament.

Liberty's girls face Eagleville Middle in the first game of Wednesday's action at the World in Chapel Hill. They tip off at 4:30. The same two schools battle in boys play at approximately 5:45.