Lions' run ends in Class AA sectionals

WOODBURY – Playing its fifth game in six days, Brainerd somehow found the energy to come up with a big run in the second half to pull away from Cannon County Tuesday night.

The Panthers defeated the Lions 57-45 on the strength of a 14-5 run in the final half during TSSAA Class AA sectionals to advance to next week's state tournament in Murfreesboro at MTSU's Murphy Center.

Brainerd (22-7) played the Region 3-AA championship game Monday night due to weather delays, losing to Chattanooga Central, setting up the sectional game on the road against the Lions. The entire region tournament had to be pushed back because of the weather conditions in Chattanooga last week.

"My kids worked so hard," Brainerd coach Levar Brown said. "We had to fight a lot of adversity. I just can't be more proud of my kids."

Cannon County (28-6) was trying to get to the state tournament for the first time since 1985.

The Panthers held a 33-32 lead when they went on the 14-5 run. That upped the lead to 46-37, the largest of the game for Brainerd. Cannon County couldn't get any closer the rest of the game.

Marques Tipton keyed the run, by scoring all nine of his points in the second half.

The Lions went cold during the stretch, missing open shots and not connecting from behind the 3-point arc. Cannon County was 0 of 7 from 3-point range and just 6 of 23 from the field – 26.1 percent – in the second half with 11 turnovers.

"We did get our share of looks," Cannon County coach Matt Rigsby said. "I don't know what the percentage is, so I wouldn't necessarily say it was a poor shooting night, but versus a great team like that, we've got to take advantage of those looks.

"If the shots aren't falling, you have to pick it up in other areas, and turning the ball over, it gives them added opportunities."

The Panthers had the first run, taking a 23-14 lead by scoring the first 10 points of the second quarter.

The Lions came back to tie it 25-25 behind the shooting of Garrett McReynolds and A.J. Daniel. Both had 3-pointers in the first half. Daniel scored 13 first-half points to lead the Lions.

The score remained close throughout the third quarter, until Brainerd went on its final run.

It was a rematch of a Hall of Fame Classic, both team's first games of the season. Brainerd defeated Cannon County 70-58 on Nov. 11.

"We knew Cannon was going to shoot the ball really well," Brown said. "They play hard. Their coach is a great guy. I know they're not done."

Brainerd's win snapped a 16-game winning streak by Cannon County. The Lions hadn't lost since Dec. 31, to Webster County, Kentucky in a tournament in Florida.

Brainerd 57, Cannon County 45

Brainerd 13 12 13 19 -- 57

Cannon Co. 14 14 5 12 -- 45

Brainerd: Kentrell Evans 17, Malik Beavers 12, Da'V Moore 11, Marques Tipton 9, Jessie Walker 4, DeJuonta Ross 2, Vesta Melvin 2.

Cannon County: A.J. Daniel 13, Garrett McReynolds 11, Josh Ruehlen 8, Jacob Nave 5, Marshall McReynolds 4, Anton Knox 2, Austin Martin 2.