Memphis East advances to Class AAA semifinals with win over Blackman

Michael Murphy

Murfreesboro Daily News Journal

Blackman’s Trent Gibson (33) goes up for a shot as Memphis East's James Wiseman (32) defends him during the quarterfinals of the TSSAA Boys State Basketball Tournament on Wednesday, March 14, 2018, at MTSU.

Nationally-ranked Memphis East overcame a slow start before coasting to a comfortable 52-33 TSSAA Class AAA quarterfinal victory over previously unbeaten Blackman Wednesday at MTSU's Murphy Center.

James Wiseman, a 6-foot-11 junior and the nation’s top-ranked 2019 prospect, finished with a game-high 15 points and eight rebounds for the Mustangs, who reeled off 14 unanswered second-quarter points in the second quarter to claim a 23-12 halftime advantage.

Blackman (32-1), led by Trent Gibson’s team-high 12 points and four rebounds, cut it to 29-22 on Brandon Thomas’ 3-pointer with 1:59 left in the third, but that was as close as the Blaze came.

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The Blaze actually had possession at the end of the period with a chance to cut it to five or four, but a turnover led to a three-point play by the Mustangs to steal back momentum.

Mr. Basketball finalist Alex Lomax added 14 points, five rebounds and six assists for Memphis East (29-3), ranked No. 6 in the USA TODAY Super 25 national rankings, who will square off against the winner of Mt. Juliet and Bearden in Friday’s 11:30 a.m. Class AA semifinal.