WHITES CREEK — The East Nashville Eagles built a pretty big reputation into a three-loss season by the time they reached the Region 4-AA semifinals.
The Eagles were as good as advertised as they handled the Community Vikings in a 79-40 win to end Community’s season.
“Those three guards are the real deal. They’re just great athletes that have been playing together now for three years. When you run into teams like that, you have to hope you play really great basketball and they have an off night. It didn’t happen tonight,” Viking coach Robbie Davis said.
East’s game plan was to cause as many turnovers as possible and work the ball in transition.
East pushed the lead to 21-5 with just over three minutes left in the first quarter on back-to-back NBA-range 3-pointers by Jaylen Jones.
Community answered with their best run of the night and put together an 8-0 run including a transition 3-pointer by senior Stratton Lovvorn.
But the Eagles responded on a 22-5 run in the second quarter to take a 47-20 lead at the half.
East went on to finish the game with four players in double figures, with Jones’ 25 points leading all scorers.
Lovvorn’s 12 points was the top mark for the Vikings.
While the game finished in the same manner it started, Community hung tough and fought to the end.
For two seniors, it marked the final time they would suit up for the Purple and Gold.
Stratton Lovvorn and Trace Broiles helped the Vikings build what’s been a memorable run in the past several years, including the first-ever trip to the state tournament last year.
“Our two seniors Trace and Strat, have both been huge. They’re quality guys They’re both going to be in the top 10 in their class and go on to college. They’re going to be good dads and good husbands. They got to play in the state tournament. Not many seniors come through here have gotten to say that. It hurts now, but they’ll remember the good. These kids fought. We lost a lot of starters again from last year,” Davis said.
Community closes the season with a 15-16 overall record.

Community 15 5 14 6 — 40
E. Nashville 25 22 18 14 — 79

Community: Stratton Lovvorn 12, Jacob Flanagan 8, Landon Lovvorn 7, Maki Fleming 3, Cole Crockett 2, Emery Smith 2, Ramon Hernandez, Jason Cullum 2, Trace Broiles 2.
E. Nashville: Jaylen Jones 25, Jarrod Taylor 13, Michael Armstrong 13, Jordan Crawford 10, Jacolby Summers 7, Cullen Cleaves 6, Willie Wilson 2, Josiah Jones 2, PJ Nyapal.
3-Point goals: E. Nashville (3): Jones 3; Community (3): S. Lovvorn 2, L. Lovvorn.
Halftime score: E. Nashville 47, Community 20.