Tribe Cuts District Nets for 31st Time
by STEVE WILMOTHTriCitiesSports.com
February 17, 2018
JONESBOROUGH, Tenn. – Dobyns-Bennett held Science Hill to just 12 points through the first 14 minutes of Saturday’s District 1-AAA Boys Championship contest and went on to a 67-56 victory over the ‘Toppers to claim the 31st District Tournament title in Indian basketball history.
It’s the first district tournament championship in four years for the Indians and gives the Tribe a top seed in the Region 1-AAA Tournament that begins next weekend.
Dobyns-Bennett (27-6) will host South-Doyle while Science Hill (22-8) will entertain Sevier County.
The win was also the 27th of the season for the Indians, their most since winning 30 ten years ago.
“Winning championships is why we are here and what it’s all about,” said first-year coach Chris Poore. “This has been one of our goals all season.”
Focusing their defensive efforts on junior point guard Jerriah Love, senior sharpshooter David Bryant and versatile senior Tate Wheeler, the Tribe led 31-12 before any of the three ‘Toppers found their way to the scoring column.
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“I was really pleased with the way our guys came out defensively and the effort they gave to take Science Hill out of everything they wanted to do offensively,” said Dobyns-Bennett coach Chris Poore.
Marae Foreman was again tasked with flanking Love.
“Coach told me not to let him penetrate and dish,” said Foreman. “He told me to back off and just stay in front of him.”
Brit Thomas was matched up against the always moving Bryant.
“Our defensive plan was to be all over Bryant with no help,” added Thomas. “I felt good about it. It’s just what we do and it’s my strong point.”
Meanwhile, Big 7 Conference Defensive Player of the Year Riamello Wadsworth flanked Wheeler.
“We normally come out every game with a lot intensity on defense,” noted Wadsworth. “We did that again tonight.”
The Tribe led by just two after the first quarter, but a 20-3 run facilitated by four made three-pointers produced the 19-point cushion late in the first half.
At one point, Abiah Releford, Thomas and Chase Jenkins knocked down consecutive three-point attempts, all off drive and kicks, with two coming from Wadsworth.
“We were trying to spread them out and create, drive the lanes and kick out to the open men in the corner,” added Wadsworth.
With the defense widened, Hayden Cassell drove the right side of the lane for a lay-up as the Indians mounted the big lead.
“We were moving the basketball and sharing the basketball and really trying to find the open guy and when we did, those guys knocked down shots,” added coach Poore. “But we really set the tone on defense by making it hard on them.”
Love and Bryant did combine for the final seven points of the first half to get the ‘Toppers back to within a dozen at halftime, 31-19.
The Indians led again by as many as 19 twice in the third quarter before Science Hill crept back to within ten at 52-42. But the Indians scored ten straight to produce their biggest advantage of the contest at 62-42.
"They got on us early and put us behind the 8-ball," said Science Hill coach Ken Cutlip. "I thought our kids tried to battle back. During that stretch they pushed it to 19, we missed layups and wide-open shots and they answered. There were four or five-point swings in a change of possession.
“But I want to congratulate Dobyns-Bennett. They were outstanding tonight and every time we tried to make a run, they had a response for it."
The District title is especially sweet for Foreman and Wadsworth, both juniors and three year starters who saw just 17 combined wins their first two seasons.
“It means a lot after struggling a little bit the first two years and then to win it against Science Hill really tops it off,” said Wadsworth.
“Working hard from being a freshman, you would never think this would happen. So, yeah, this means a lot,” added Foreman.
Foreman finished 16 points four rebounds and three assists to collect Tournament Most Valuable Player honors. Despite scoring just six points, Wadsworth cemented his status as the league’s best all-around player by snagging a dozen rebounds, dishing out seven assists and coming up with two steals.
Charlie Browder was the Indian offense early, scoring eight of D-B’s 11 first-quarter points. Browder finished with 16 points six rebounds and two blocks. Abiah Releford once again came off the bench with the hot hand. The sophomore sank three first-half three-pointers and fished with a dozen points while also handing out three assists.
All joined Foreman on the All-Tournament Team.
“So many guys contributed in so many positive ways over the past two days,” noted Poore. “You give the MVP to one person and so many make all-tournament, but it’s really a team.”
Science Hill’s Love, Bryant and Junior Danso were also all-tournament honorees. Love eventually worked free for 12 points and Bryant nine. Danso netted a team-high 14 points.
Wheeler finished with just four points but grabbed five rebounds, had five blocks, three assists and a steal. Drew Morrison had nine points and eight rebounds before fouling out.
Daniel Boone 57, David Crockett 55 – Consolation
In the fourth meeting of the year between the two rivals, Daniel Boone (15-13) took third place with a 57-55 win over David Crockett (14-16).
The Pioneers opened on fire, sprinting a 15-2 lead and leading 18-6 late in the first quarter. By halftime, the ‘Blazers had tied the contest and the second half was tight throughout.
"They got hot early and started making shots," said Boone coach Chris Brown. "We fought back and to be coming in tied at 28 at the half, we were pretty happy."
An Evan Fitzgerald three-point gave Boone a 46-40 fourth-quarter lead, but Crockett rolled off a 13-2 run to lead 53-48. Boone then scored nine straight to snatch the game.
Doc Rigsby and Chad Heglar made consecutive baskets to cut the margin to one and Rigsby sank three free throws after being fouled on a three-point attempt to but the ‘Blazers back ahead, 55-53. Taylor Johnson sank a pair a few moments later to essential ice the game
Rigsby finished with 16 points while Heglar and Johnson both finished with ten. Heglar also dished out seven assists and collected four rebounds. Jared Lawson tallied seven points, 11 rebounds, three steals and two assists.
Heglar and Rigsby both made the all-tournament team as did David Crockett’s McHale Bright. The Big 7 Conference Underclassman of the Year finished with 12 points and seven rebounds. John Kollie added 11 for the Poineers.
Both Boone and Crockett will be on the road for Region 1-AAA quarterfinal assignments next Friday night. The ‘Blazers (15-13) travel to Jefferson County while the Pioneers pay a visit to Morristown East.
The Region 1-AAA Quarterfinal games next Saturday night begin at 7:00 p.m.
Dobyns-Bennett 67, Science Hill 56 - Championship
DOBYNS-BENNETT (27-6) – Marae Foreman 6 2-6 16, Riamello Wadsworth 2 2-4 6, Brit Thomas 2 1-2 7, Brody Potter 1 0-0 3, Charlie Browder 6 4-4 16, Mason Tincher 0 2-2 2, Chase Jenkins 1 0-0 3, Jasun Mills 0 0-0 0, Abiah Releford 4 1-1 12, Hayden Hatcher 0 0-0 0, Lendon Redwine 0 0-0 0, Hayden Cassell 1 0-0 2, Garret Scherer 0 0-0 0, Totals 23 12-19 67.
SCIENCE HILL (22-8) – Jerriah Love 5 0-0 12, David Bryant 3 1-2 9, Tate Wheeler 2 0-1 4, Kendle Cutlip 0 0-0 0, Jake Matherne 2 0-0 4, Marquis Griffin 0 0-0 0, Junior Danso 5 3-5 14, Jordan McCloyd 0 0-0 0, Will Stevens 1 0-0 2, Hunter Phillips 0 0-0 0, Kendle Williams 0 0-0 0, Nathan Shingleback 1 0-0 2, Totals 22 7-12 56.
Dobyns-Bennett | 11 | 20 | 19 | 17 | -- 67 |
Science Hill | 9 | 10 | 17 | 20 | -- 56 |
Three-Pointers – Dobyns-Bennett 9 (Releford 3, Foreman 2, Thomas 2, Jenkins, Potter), Science Hill 5 (Love 2, Bryant 2, Danso). Rebounds – Dobyns-Benett 29 (Wadsworth 12, Browder 6), Science Hill 25 Morrison 8, Wheeler 5). Assists – Dobyns-Bennett 15 (Wadsworth 7, Releford 3, Foreman 3), Science Hill 6 (Wheeler 3). Steals – Dobyns-Bennett 5, Science Hill 3. Blocks – Dobyns-Bennett 4 (Thomas 2, Browder 2), Science Hill 6 (Wheeler 5). Turnovers – Dobyns-Bennett 15, Science Hill 10. Total Fouls – Dobyns-Bennett 14, Science Hill 17. Technical Fouls – none. Fouled Out – Morrison, Science Hill.
Daniel Boone 57, David Crockett 55 - Consolation
DAVID CROCKETT (14-16) – Tee Johnson 1 0-0 3, John Kollie 4 1-3 11, Camara Bradley 2 0-1 4, McHale Bright 4 2-3 12, Paul Arrowood 1 0-0 2, Jordan Hensley 1 0-0 3, Bryan Rodriguez 1 0-0 3, Donta Hackler 4 0-0 8, Ayden Begley 1 0-0 3, Prince Kollie 0 0-0 0, Mark Selder 0 1-2 1, Austin Lewis 2 1-2 5, Totals 21 5-11 55.
DANIEL BOONE (15-13) – Chad Heglar 4 2-2 10, Eric Rigsby 4 6-6 16, Jared Lawson 3 0-2 7, Marshall Golden 2 0-0 5, Noah Shelton 3 0-1 6, Evan Fitzgerald 1 0-0 3, Taylor Johnson 4 2-2 10, Crowder Jones 0 0-0 0, Totals 21 10-13 57.
David Crockett | 18 | 10 | 12 | 15 | -- 55 |
Daniel Boone | 8 | 20 | 15 | 14 | -- 57 |
Three-Pointers – David Crockett 8 (Bright 2, J. Kollie 2, Johnson, Hensley, Begley, Rodgriguez), Daniel Boone 5 (Rigsby 2, Lawson, Fitzgerald, Golden). Rebounds – David Crockett 34 (Bright 7, Arrowood 6), Daniel Boone 23 (Lawson 11). Assists – David Crockett 10 (Bradley 2, Johnson 2, Bright 2), Daniel Boone 12 (Heglar 7). Steals – David Crockett 2 (Bradley 2), Daniel Boone 4 (Lawson 3). Blocks – David Crockett 4 (Arrowood 2), Daniel Boone 1. Turnovers – David Crockett 11, Daniel Boone 13. Total Fouls – David Crockett 13, Daniel Boone 13. Technical Fouls – none. Fouled Out – none.
2018 District 1-AAA All-Tournament Team
MVP – Marae Foreman, Dobyns-Bennett
Riamello Wadsworth, Dobyns-Bennett
Charlie Browder, Dobyns-Bennett
Abiah Releford, Dobyns-Bennett
Jerriah Love, Science Hill
David Bryant, Science Hill
Junior Danso, Science Hill
Chad Heglar, Daniel Boone
Eric Rigsby, Daniel Boone
McHale Bright, David Crockett