KINGSPORT, Tenn. – Roby Witcher is a problem-solver.
The veteran Tennessee High basketball coach offered another example of his creativity Saturday in the semifinal round of the District 1-AAA boys basketball tournament at Dobyns-Bennett High School.
“Dobyns-Bennett is so much bigger than we are in the post, plus they’ve got good perimeter shooters,” Witcher said. “You’ve got to pick your poison.”
Witcher opted for his familiar 2-3 zone defense. It resulted in a 55-50 upset victory for THS over the Indians.
“We were able to defend [D-B] on the perimeter and get the job done in the post. Any team has a chance to win playing that way,” Witcher said.
The Indians shot a torrid 61 percent from the field en route to a comfortable win over THS in the last game between the two teams. D-B (23-6) fell behind 15-5 Saturday, then never found a comfort zone.
D-B coach Charlie Morgan was upset over the lack of patience and movement by his team.
“You’ve got to hit shots against the zone, but we jacked up our shots entirely too quick,” Morgan said.
Tennessee High, which last won the district title two years ago, faces Science Hill Tuesday night at 7:30 for a chance at another district crown. Science Hill extended its winning streak to 14 in Saturday’s first game with a 62-50 decision over Sullivan South.
Witcher hopes his squad can draw confidence from its crisp performance against D-B.
Corey Young, Tre Webb, and Mason Canty all scored 12 points for THS.
The powerful and quick 210-pound Canty helped to neutralize 6-foot-7 D-B senior post Jordan Edwards, who managed just seven points. Canty also opened shooting room for his teammates by connecting on several jumpers from the high-post.
“That was part of the plan,” Canty said. “We wanted to stop Edwards, and keep D-B from getting rebounds.”
The D-B fans began to buzz with 2:25 left in the final quarter when senior guard Todd Halvorsen hit a 3-pointer to chop the THS lead to 46-44.
Canty, Tennessee High’s little big man, took over from there, with his relentless post play and accurate foul shooting.
“Mason is a warrior,” Witcher said. “If you’ve got a kid who is not afraid to take the ball up against a bigger kid, you’ve got to give him the ball.”
Canty, who uses footwork and deft ball fakes to confound larger defenders, credited his coach for devising an intelligent strategy.
“We were making good decisions, playing defense and rebounding. Those were the keys,” Canty said.
Senior defensive ace Justin Sylvester led D-B with 11 points, while seniors Ashlon Adams and Dustin McConnell each scored 10.
Edwards left the game with four minutes remaining after injuring his shoulder.
Witcher admitted that he accepted a dare with the zone defense. He was pleased with the execution, however.
“D-B made some big shots, but we made just a few more,” Witcher said.
TENNESSEE HIGH (55) – Young 12, Harmon 4, Webb 12, Canty 12, Linnen 4, Place 2, Gilmore 9, Ellis 0, Stacy 0. Totals 23 5-10 55.
DOBYNS-BENNETT (50) – Davis 0, Halvorsen 8, Sylvester 11, Adams 10, McConnell 10, Denison 4, Edwards 7. Totals 17 11-18 50.
Tennessee High 13 12 14 16-55
Dobyns-Bennett 5 15 11 19-50
3-point goals – THS 4 (Young 2, Webb, Gilmore), D-B 5 (Halvorsen 2, Sylvester, McConnell 2). Fouled out-none.
agregory@bristolnews.com | (276) 645-2544
Email
Facebook
Google
Twitter
Favorites
More
Advertisement