Odem Leads Science Hill Past Tennessee High in District-AAA Boys Title Game

KINGSPORT, Tenn. – Josh Odem stood patiently at the top of the key and examined the Tennessee High zone defense.
After a couple minutes, the 6-foot-5 Science Hill senior formulated a plan.

“I like the zone because the middle is open,” Odem said. “If you stay patient, good things will come.”

The Hilltoppers shot 51 percent from the field Tuesday en route to a 49-30 win over Tennessee High in the championship game of the District 1-AAA boys basketball tournament at the Buck Van Huss Dome.

Science Hill, ranked fifth in Tennessee by the Associated Press, sputtered on offense en route to an overtime loss against THS early this season.
Odem remembered the defeat.

“We didn’t really attack the zone like we needed to in that game,” Odem said. “We were able to get good shots and layups this time.”

While Science Hill was converting against the 2-3 zone, Tennessee High (22-10) was searching.
As Science Hill contested every pass and dribble, the Vikings fell behind 20-10 with 1:50 left in the first half and never recovered.

“[Science Hill] figured the zone out this time,” THS coach Roby Witcher said.

Tennessee High will host Cocke County Saturday at 7 p.m. in the first round of the regional tournament, while Science Hill (27-4) hosts Morristown West.

Odem, who earned tournament most-valuable player honors Tuesday, contributed 13 points, five assists and one crowd-pleasing dunk. He also directed the Science Hill defense by smothering creative THS playmaker Corey Young.

With Young unable to penetrate and deliver passes to his wings, the Vikings shot just 29 percent from the field.

“We try to hold every team to 55 points or less,” Witcher said. “We did a pretty darn good job of that tonight, but we just couldn’t put any points on our side of the scoreboard.
“We missed easy shots early and didn’t get into sync.”

Six-foot-two senior Mason Canty led THS with 12 points.

The bottom line for Science Hill coach Ken Cutlip centers around defense.

“That’s been the most important part of our program, and this group of kids has done an outstanding job,” Cutlip said.

The Hilltoppers are limiting their foes to just 50 points a per game

“Our defense stepped up again,” Odem said. “We had more had more pressure on the ball, plus we got some rebounds.”

The first half ended in style for Science Hill when 5-10 senior Jamieson Hamilton connected on a 3-pointer from halfcourt to give his team a 25-16 advantage.

Cutlip credited one of his assistants, former East Tennessee State University point guard Keith Jennings, for the halfcourt heroics.

“Keith said when he played for Golden State in the NBA that they wouldn’t end practice until someone made a halfcourt shot,” Cutlip said.
“That shot tonight gave us a little bit more breathing room, and that’s something you’ve got to have against such a well-disciplined as Tennessee High.”

Cutlip was pleased with the intelligent manner in which Odem and his teammates deciphered the THS defense.

“You can’t let [Tennessee High] totally dictate the tempo,” Cutlip said.

Witcher also paid credit to the long-armed Odem, who controlled the game on both ends of the floor.

“He deserves to the tournament MVP,” Witcher said.

Dobyns-Bennett cruised past Sullivan South, 65-36, in Tuesday’s consolation game.

TENNESSEE HIGH (30) – Young 4, Gilmore 8, Webb 2, Canty 12, Cook 2, Easterling 2, Harmon 0, Linnen 0, Stacy 0, Ellis 0. Totals 11 11-16 30.
SCIENCE HILL (49) – Odem 13, Hamilton 9, C. Smith 6, Hancock 6, Jackson 2, Jordan 2, L. Smith 8, Leveau 3. Totals 18 8-15 49.
Tennessee High 8 8 6 8-30
Science Hill 11 14 10 14-49
3-point goals – THS 2 (Young 2), S. Hill 5 (Hamilton 3, Hancock 2). Fouled out-none.

agregory@bristolnews.com | (276) 645-2544