Maplewood's Bo Hodges comes up big in first game back

Maplewood’s Bo Hodges was back on the court Friday night at East Nashville.

And the reigning Class AA Mr. Basketball winner and 2016 Tennessean All-Midstate first-teamer made a big splash, spearheading the Panthers' impressive 89-70 triumph over the host Eagles in a District 10-AA second-place showdown.

“I’m not going to lie to you, it took everything in me to finish that game out,” said Hodges, who finished with a game-high 32 points. “I was tired., but I’ve just got to get back to practice, get running and get back in shape.”

Hodges, logging his first minutes since suffering a less-serious-than-originally-feared knee injury in the opening moments of Maplewood’s loss at Whites Creek earlier this month, finished with a game-high 32 points to go with his 14 rebounds and three blocked shots.

The 6-foot-3 swingman was one of three players to score in double-figures for the Panthers (14-5, 6-1 in 10-AA), who knocked down 11 shots from beyond the arc. Senior Craig Blackshear finished with 25 points, including five 3-pointers, while sophomore Bobo Hodges added 10 points.

Senior Marques Whitmon finished with 21 points to lead East Nashville (15-5, 5-2), which suffered its first defeat in seven outings, junior Gene Holmes and junior Brian Thompson each scored 14 while junior Jayden Lockett added 12.

ReachMichael Murphy at 615-269-8262 and on Twitter@Murph_TNsports.