Bearden routs Science Hill to advance to state tournament

To some extent, Science Hill’s full-court pressure worked against Bearden in Monday’s Class AAA sectional, forcing the Bulldogs to commit 22 turnovers.

When they did not turn the ball over, though, Bearden usually put the ball in the net.

The Bulldogs shot 68 percent from the floor and pulled away for an 86-57 victory over the Hilltoppers to clinch their first state tournament berth since 2011.

“We’re a tough cover,” Bearden coach Jeremy Parrott told the Johnson City Press. “I’m not saying we’re the greatest team in the world, but we’re a tough cover in space. So we thought (Cutlip) is either going to play Science Hill basketball, or we’re going to have to play a half-court game.

“So they sped it up, and that’s kind of what we like to do, too.”

Bearden is the second team Parrott has led to the state tournament, having coached his alma mater Cherokee to Murfreesboro in 2012.

The Bulldogs had four scorers finish in double figures, led by 25- and 24-point performances from Trent Stephney and Ques Glover, respectively. Dre Dave (14) and Drew Pember (10) also hit double digits.

Tate Wheeler led Science Hill with 13 points, while Nate Jackson and Holden Hensley added 12 and 11, respectively.

Grace Christian 64, Hampton 63: Baylor Younker and Connor Arnold each made a crucial defensive stop during Hampton’s final possession to preserve the victory and send Grace Christian to the state tournament for the third consecutive year.

Younker deflected a pass intended for a wide open Wyatt Lyons from Adam McClain, and then Arnold blocked a McClain shot right before time expired.

The Rams rallied after falling behind 23-9 in the first quarter. They outscored the Bulldogs 22-9 in the second quarter to get back in the game and then erased a five-point deficit after three quarters to keep their season alive.

Arnold drilled six 3-pointers en route to a game-high 26 points for Grace Christian.

Sullivan East 73, CAK 50: CAK fell a game short of its second consecutive state tournament appearance. It was the final Division I game for the Warriors, who will be moving to Division II next season.

Sullivan East clinched its first state tournament berth in the school’s 50-year history. Cole Green tallied 19 points, 10 rebounds and two assists, while Gavin Grubb added 17 points, seven assists and five rebounds. Aaron Frye also scored 10 points.

Isaiah Sulack led the way for CAK with 18 points and three assists, and Hunter Reyolds recorded 14 points.