Behind Dotson’s 25 Arlington High Advances
Philip Dotson scored 25 points, most of them in the first half Thursday to vault his Arlington Tigers to their fifth win of the season. After knocking off Mt. Vernon (IL) High, Arlington will face Champaign Central High School tomorrow with a chance to advance to a semifinal, 59-45.
Arlington High (5-7) traveled to Centralia, Illinois this week to compete in the 76th Annual Centralia Holiday Tournament. Of the sixteen teams in the field four hail from Tennessee. Lausanne Prep, Germantown, Franklin Centennial, and the Arlington Tigers ventured to the Land of Lincoln.
Freshman Dotson and senior Sam Wiseman (PrepHoopsTN #176) shouldered the scoring burden for the victorious Tigers.
Press Impresses
Arlington pressed most of the low-scoring game. The net positive of pressing was not immediately apparent though Arlington’s backcourt did spring the ball loose numerous times.
Much of the frustration experienced by the Rams sprouted up after Arlington’s made buckets. Arlington implemented a stout 2-2-1 fullcourt press. Quickness and positional accountability served Arlington Head Coach’s Don Deaton press well.
Mt. Vernon was predicted to advance to the final four by several media outlets. Their Rams brought a sizable fanbase from 30 miles up the road, but Arlington delivered a more steady performance.
Watch the second quarter.
And the second half.
Arlington tips in the first winner’s bracket game Friday at 12:30 C.S.T.
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