Tipton-Rosemark Academy moves on to the second round with win over Fayette Academy
Tipton-Rosemark Academy jumped out on Fayette Academy and never looked back in its 64-33 win over the Vikings. The Rebels will play at Northpoint Christian Tuesday night for a chance to get to the semifinals round in Jackson, TN. Here…
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Continue ReadingTipton-Rosemark Academy jumped out on Fayette Academy and never looked back in its 64-33 win over the Vikings.
The Rebels will play at Northpoint Christian Tuesday night for a chance to get to the semifinals round in Jackson, TN.
Here are 3 takeaways from Tipton-Rosemark Academy’s win:
The Rebels’ defense led to easy scores
From the start, Tipton-Rosemark Academy pressed full-court and instantly interrupted Fayette Academy’s offense. The Rebels forced one turnover after another, leading to easy scores on the break. TRA quickly built a 26-6 lead heading into the second quarter and had a 37-20 lead at halftime. Junior wing Alex Anderson was only part of the Vikings’ problem. They also had to deal with junior point guard Cam Donegan, who erupted for two 3s in the first eight minutes.
Anderson had two monster dunks on the break and finished with the game-high 22 points. Donegan added 15.
The Rebels’ up-tempo offense was too much for Fayette Academy
TRA moved the ball exceptionally well Monday night, which kept the Vikings on their toes. Fayette Academy sat in a 2-3 zone for the most of the first half, but the Rebels were able to make enough shots to force the Vikings to go man-to-man. Fayette Academy was caught sleeping on the back side of the zone that led to an easy layup for guard Antonio Garrett, who finished with 11 points. For four full quarters, TRA kept spacing the floor and moving the ball, and the Vikings couldn’t match the Rebels’ offensive power.
What a year for Fayette Academy
First-year head coach Brandon Bradford led the Vikings to a 14-15 finish (7-11 record in league play) in the 2019. To most people, that record isn’t worth celebrating, but the season before Bradford’s arrival, Fayette Academy finished the season 11-16 overall with a 2-12 record in league play. Bradford is gradually creating something special at a school nowhere really talked about a season ago.
Ryan Parks, who reached 1,000 points this season, and Brett Culver, a 3-point threat, are seniors this season, but the Vikings will return Austin Abernathy, Caleb Smith, Andrew Payne, Will Cagle, Luke Moore and Ryan Eubanks in 2020. Abernathy, Smith, Payne, Cagle and Moore will be seniors next season, while Eubanks will just be a junior. Bradford will have a competitive nucleus back for 2020 and he’s hopeful this team will take it up a notch.
“It might be a different style next year,” Bradford said. “We might be a little quicker, a little faster, more guard play, maybe a little more fun to watch. I think it’s going to be fun with this group we got. A lot of offensive talent, and I think we got the speed on defense where we can press and get up and down next year.
“It’s going to be fun to watch.”
Here are the results from the other first round games of the TSSAA Division II-A West Region Tournament:
Harding Academy defeated University School of Jackson, 66-48. Senior guard Bobby Parks reached 1,000 points in the win. The Lions will play at ECS Tuesday night.
Sacred Heart of Jesus defeated Trinity Christian Academy, 73-71. The Knights will play at Lausanne Tuesday night.
Jackson Christian defeated St. George’s, 59-51. The Eagles were led by Aaron Smith’s 18 points. Will Cisco had 13. Peyton Tinsley finished with 12. Dylan Arnold added 11.