Class AA State Semifinal Preview (Wooddale-Brainerd)
Friday is always a deeply entertaining playoff day in Murfreesboro. Class AA favorite Wooddale is guided by #3 player in the state, Chandler Lawson, his younger brother Johnathan (#2 in 2021), and their father Wooddale Head Coach Keelon Lawson. Player…
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Continue ReadingFriday is always a deeply entertaining playoff day in Murfreesboro. Class AA favorite Wooddale is guided by #3 player in the state, Chandler Lawson, his younger brother Johnathan (#2 in 2021), and their father Wooddale Head Coach Keelon Lawson.
Player rankings are listed inside the parentheses. Full rankings can be viewed by subscribers here: 2019, 2020, 2021.
AA Semifinal: Wooddale (31-4) vs. Brainerd (23-10), 11:30 am
How they got here: Wooddale crushed Austin-East, 79-61. They lost just four games all season. Something spectacular must happen in the next 40 hours in order for that number to reach 5.
Brainerd knocked off Pearl-Cohn in the quarterfinals, 76-73. Freeman scored 16 points with 17 rebounds. Though Tyner Academy won the D6AA Tournament, Brainerd collected the D6AA Regular Season Championship.
Analysis: Few teams in the state endured or enjoyed more roster turnover than Wooddale High. Virtually the entire team and coaching staff are brand new to the school and program. Chandler Lawson was originally tapped to attend Oak Hill Academy. When he returned during the preseason Wooddale instantly became a Class AA title contender. Plucking Alvin Miles from Whitehaven High in the middle of the season certainly made a great roster greater. Miles is invaluable to the highly athletic and lengthy Lawson brothers.
Johnathan Lawson had a horrible offensive game Wednesday and his team still scored 79 points. The Cardinals attack in a flock. Transition is a must for the unit to capitalize on their athleticism advantage.
Brainerd is not the juggernaut Wooddale is. They have more program tradition of excellence. That matters little when the two teams meet Friday morning into Friday afternoon. This will be a monumental task for Brainerd’s men, most of which have never played against a player like Chandler Lawson. Chandler’s 7’3″ wingspan makes him incredibly frustrating to shoot over or pass around.
Trey Owten secured the Brainerd victory over Pearl-Cohn with a made free throw and a stolen inbounds pass in the final minute. Kevin Halfacre earned Region 3-AA MVP. For any team to compete with Wooddale they need the lead guards to make fast, smart decisions. Kevin will be burdened with most of these choices.
Working in Brainerd’s favor…they played a tough schedule with many challenging teams. This will still be a shock though.
Players to watch
Wooddale: Chandler Lawson (PrepHoopsTN #3) Johnathan Lawson (PrepHoopsTN #2 in 2021), Alvin Miles (#30 in 2020), Johnathan Duncan, Kevin Brown
Brainerd: Laderron Freeman (PrepHoopsTN #202), Trey Owten, Kevin Halfacre
Our pick: Wooddale 78, Brainerd 51