EAGLEVILLE – Eagleville started its postseason slowly Tuesday.

And Huntland never let up.

The fourth-seed Hornets defeated the host Eagles 64-44 on the opening day of the District 9-A boys tournament to advance to the semifinals, where they will meet the league’s regular-season champion Fayetteville at 6 p.m. Friday.

Huntland (17-9) has now won seven straight since a 62-60 loss to Moore County on Jan. 16.

“Usually our defense gives us a little bit of offense,” Eagleville coach Joey Reed said. “They played great defense on us and had a great game plan on how to stop Calen (Parker). Then they didn’t turn the ball over and didn’t give us easy baskets.

“We were struggling, having to play halfcourt basketball. They controlled the tempo. We run a little bit and get out on the open court. But they did a good job keeping us out of transition.”

Huntland has played its past five games in its home uniforms after the school’s road uniforms and basketball shoes were stolen from the team bus in Manchester prior to a game with MTCS. The Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association gave the school permission to play the rest of the season in its home white uniforms.

Parker, a 6-foot-4 post player, was held to 14 points, including just six in the second half. Parker was averaging 20.9 points.

He scored the school record with 43 in an 84-65 rout of Huntland on Dec. 19.

“We couldn’t guard him with one guy, so we used two or three guys to limit his touches,” Huntland coach Sean McLennan said. “We tried to be physical and not give him the position he wanted.”

Brandon Petrig added seven for Eagleville. Carson Rudd had five.

Eagleville, which was the fifth seed of the tournament, finished the season 15-12.

Tyler Smith led Huntland with 13 points. Rahul Patel and Kobe Foster tallied 12 points apiece for the Hornets. Aaron Williams added 11.