From the opening tip-off of the District 4-AA championship basketball game, the loudest and most encouraging member on Tyner's team bench was senior Javion Dixson.
With every well executed play and big bucket, Dixson was the first to yell or jump out of his seat. When his moment to shine on the court came, the Rams' "energizer guy" also got the majority of the crowd packed inside Arts & Sciences' historic gymnasium up out of their seats in Tuesday's dominating 75-44 title victory over rival Brainerd.
Dixson heard the voice of junior star teammate Rodney Henderson trailing from behind on a fast break in a telling second quarter that saw the Rams go on runs of 11-0 and 12-0 in building a 41-16 halftime lead. Dixson glanced back and knew exactly what to do.
Henderson provided the rest with an emphatic two-handed dunk.
"I heard Rodney and I looked back and saw no one was behind him," said Dixson, who also provided great defense off the bench against the Panthers, who shot just 7-of-29 from 3-point range. "I had never actually passed off the backboard before, but it felt right and natural. It was the perfect moment to get one off the backboard for him to slam."
Henderson made noise throughout the district tournament and one of the state's best guards in Class 2A has now scored 61 points over his last two games. One game after hitting five 3-pointers, the lefty did not have to get hot from deep but instead showcased his stellar driving ability and hustle to get to the basket.
Brainerd came into the district championship matchup having Tyner's number the past two postseasons, in which the Panthers swept the district and region championships last season and also shocked the Rams two years ago in the region championship.
Henderson was not going to let that come close to happening this time around as he finished with a game-high 28 points.
"There was another level of focus tonight," said Henderson, who made 8-of-9 free throws and 10 2-point field goals to help Tyner improve to 22-4 overall. "Tonight was about getting our get back."
Tyner sophomore Zion Pinkerton was automatic in the second frame as the explosive guard scored 11 of his 15 first-half points. Senior big man Robert Wilson also had a big first half as he scored eight points down low and made driving the lane with success extremely tough for Brainerd.
"Our goal is to not only get the district championship, but also the region, sub-state and state titles as well," Wilson said. "We want to go to Murfreesboro and get that gold ball. We wanted to set the tone tonight and let everybody know who Tyner is and to stop doubting us."
Tyner freshman point guard Kohl Ward finished with nine points, four assists, a pair of steals and a block. Brainerd (13-13) was led in scoring by left-handed sharpshooter Trea Shaw, who finished with 13.
Contact Patrick MacCoon at pmaccoon@timesfreepress.com.