The Signal Mountain boys' basketball team will head into the new year with the momentum of back-to-back wins and the comfort that comes from having a veteran-heavy roster.
With six seniors and two guards who have reached the 1,000-point milestone in their prep career, coach Steven Redman's team bounced back from a first-round loss in the Times Free Press Best of Preps tournament at Chattanooga State, securing a fifth-place finish with Saturday's 63-57 victory over Red Bank.
Junior guard Chris Kennedy scored a team-high 21 points for Signal Mountain (12-6), which lost 70-52 to McCallie on Thursday before rebounding with Friday's 54-53 win against Brainerd and the victory against Red Bank (12-4), which was led by Anthony Bonner's game-high 23 points.
(READ MORE: McCallie conquers ‘lull’, Chargers to win Best of Preps)
Kennedy showcased his deep range in the second quarter as he drilled a trio of 3-pointers, and he scored 15 points in the first half as the Eagles built a 40-23 lead at the break. The standout shooter surpassed 1,000 career points when he scored 33 two days earlier against McCallie, and the highlights from his sophomore season included eight 3-pointers in a game against Lakeview Fort-Oglethorpe.
"We have all been playing together for a long time and have been getting better every year in high school," Kennedy said. "We have started to understand our offense. Knowing we can do special things with this group, that has given me extra motivation to get in the gym daily and get up a lot of shots. Every day my dad and I go in and shoot on the gun, and he helps hold me accountable."
Senior Andrew Matukewicz has stepped right back into being a go-to scorer for Signal Mountain, which is the front-runner in TSSAA District 6-AAA at 4-0 in league play. Matukewicz, who was injured for much of last season, showcased his smooth jumper with nine points in the first quarter against Red Bank. He and Kennedy have both averaged more than 16 points per game this season.
(READ MORE: Chattanooga Christian’s Momo Moore first eighth grader to win Best of Preps MVP)
While the two standout guards have been rock solid, their success has been reliant on strong play in the post from seniors Josh Thompson and Blake Wolfard. Also football stars, Thompson and Wolfard have been grinders in the paint with rebounds, defense and points — the two combined to score 26 against the Lions.
"Josh and Blake have been killing it for us," Kennedy said. "The battle down low, they will bang people around and can go up to get boards against anybody. If we didn't have them, we wouldn't be where we are at right now. They aren't scared of going against guys who are much bigger than them even.
"I really like our team dynamic, and we are walking away very pleased from the Best of Preps, but there is still a lot of work to do."
Signal Mountain has defeated Red Bank in both of their meetings this season. The Lions, who lost 67-61 at home to the Eagles, will travel up the mountain for a pivotal district battle on Jan. 19.
Bonner continued his strong senior season even in defeat, with the Red Bank standout automatic from 10 feet and in. The 6-foot-4 Bonner scored at least five points in every quarter and has been one of the area's most consistent scorers this season, averaging more than 23 points.
The Lions used a pressure defense in the second half to help cut a sizeable deficit to two points in the final minute, but Kennedy iced the game from the foul line, and Matucewicz and Thompson came up with big shot blocks on one of Red Bank's final possessions.
Notre Dame girls 52, Tyner 30: Violet Wright, a 6-foot junior forward, scored 22 points to lead the Lady Fighting Irish (9-8) to a third-place finish. Tyner (8-6) was led by junior guard Shy Harrison's 15 points.
Tyner boys 49, Notre Dame 46: Sophomore Zion Pinkerton led the Rams (8-2) with 19 points, while junior Rodney Henderson caught fire in the fourth quarter, scoring 11 in that period to finish with 16 and help Tyner to a third-place finish. Notre Dame (3-14) was led by junior Gaas Herman, who scored 29 points and hit five 3-pointers.
Meigs County girls 50, Baylor 48: Mattie Moore made a trio of 3-pointers and scored 15 points to lead the Lady Tigers (11-5) to a fifth-place finish. Baylor's Riley Oleksik scored a game-high 17 points and hit five 3s, while eighth grader Xahara Willis scored all 13 of her points in the second half for the Lady Red Raiders (4-8).
LFO girls 60, Red Bank 59: Twin sisters Mercedes and Ziara Thompson made crucial shots in the fourth quarter on their way to combining for 27 points in a hard-fought victory and a seventh-place finish for the Lady Warriors (6-5), who shook off back-to-back losses — the first of which quickly ended their bid for a third straight Best of Preps title. Zoey Gray-Martin score eight of her 12 points for LFO in the first quarter, and Lady Lions sophomore Journey Holloway led all with 30 points, with teammate Malika Odum adding 19. Holloway made 14 of 24 free throws.
Brainerd boys 63, East Hamilton 61: Going up against his former team, Brainerd senior guard Ashton Munson scored a game-high 19 points, which included a crucial layup late in which he fooled the defense by faking a pass. Trea Shaw also aided the comeback win for the Panthers (4-8) in the seventh-place game, with the left-hander scoring all 10 of his points in the second half. Peyton Harris scored nine points in the third quarter and was one of three players for the Hurricanes (2-14) who scored in double figures, with Liam Wise having a team-high 13 points.
Contact Patrick MacCoon at pmaccoon@timesfreepress.com.