Webb boys geared up for state

Cham Cham Quao, Bil Carter (33) and the Feet compete in the school's first-ever Division II-A state tournament this afternoon.
(T-G File Photo by Danny Parker)

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They are the first team from the Bell Buckle school to ever make the TSSAA Division II-A state tournament and hope to stay seated on their magical roller-coaster ride when they take on University School of Nashville at Allen Arena on the campus at Lipscomb University today at 3:45.

The St. George's/Webb-Knoxville winner plays the victor of this game for the championship on Saturday afternoon at 1.

After coming up just short of the state tourney the last two seasons with double-digit losses in the sectional versus Lausanne Collegiate and Tipton-Rosemark Academy, Webb punched its ticket to Nashville by eliminating West Region winner Lausanne 37-36 on Saturday.

"They were so genuinely happy about winning that game that it was really exciting to see that after all that hard work that they put in, not just in the season, but in the offseason with all that monotonous stuff that you go through and for them to get there was fun to see," fourth-year Feet coach Jeff Mitchell said.

His team relies heavily on veterans Luke Baum, Logan Burchett and Hunter Foutch as part of a senior class of seven. Baum, Foutch and junior Miles Davis are each averaging roughly 14 points per game.

Every player that takes the floor must contribute if the Feet (20-8) want to knock off the East/Middle champion Tigers (20-6), who carry a five-game winning streak in the series into this one.

USN won both matchups this season by over 25 points on the strength of dominant second quarters. Mitchell said his team must improve its transition defense, needs to be patient with the basketball and show better shot selection.

"What takes (transition points) away is taking care of the ball better and also shot selection," Mitchell said. "If they make a six-point run, we don't need to come down and shoot a quick 3 because that's a turnover. What are you going to make? Three out of 10 of those? Seven of those you're going to miss and those are going to come off long and if they get it in their hands that's another good opportunity for them to get out and score. Then, it's an eight-point run."

Look for the Feet to be deliberate with the basketball and use the low post to their advantage as they attack the Tiger 2-3 zone defense.

"We think movement is going to be a big key -- not just player movement but ball movement -- and being a little unpredictable and making sure we're filling holes in their defense," Mitchell said. "When you play a zone there are some gaps to drive, you've just got to be willing to get in there and make a play."

On the small-school level, top-notch players stick out like a sore thumb. Meiko Lyles, a DII-A Mr. Basketball finalist, is a major part of the reason why USN is still playing in March. He's a 6-foot-3, 185-pound silky-smooth shooter that the Feet won't be able to stop but must contain.

"Meiko, when he has the ball in his hands, is so good at picking you apart in transition and finding seams and gaps and changing speed going from three-quarter speed to just blowing by you and getting an easy one," Mitchell said. "We've got to eliminate those easy baskets that they get. They're the best team we've played at scoring quickly."

Lyles went for 24 points and six rebounds in the state semis last year, but it wasn't enough as the Tigers fell to eventual state champion Harding Academy.