What does Vanderbilt basketball signee Tyler Tanner mean to Brentwood Academy? His coach's emotional response

COOKEVILLE – Tyler Tanner is officially on the clock for Vanderbilt basketball.

The Brentwood Academy senior and Commodores signee's high school basketball career ended Saturday on the wrong side of a 80-71 game against Briarcrest Christian in the TSSAA Division II-AA boys state championship at the Hooper Eblen Center at Tennessee Tech.

"He's just a blessing to be around as a person," Brentwood Academy second-year coach Andy Blackston said before failing to finish his statement.

Blackston dropped his head and became emotional trying to find the words to sum up what Tanner has meant to him and the program. Tanner put his hand on Blackston's back as the pair sat with Eagles forward George MacIntyre in the postgame media room.

"He's just a lot of fun to coach," Blackston managed to say through a cracking voice.

The loss denied the Eagles (24-8) a chance at a second straight state title after Brentwood Academy beat Briarcrest (29-4) in last year's final. Tanner led BA with 22 points but was 2-for-10 from the 3-point line. MacIntyre, a Tennessee football commit, added 21 points, including 5-for-6 from behind the arc.

The Eagles didn't have an answer for the Saints' size. Briarcrest forward Fred Smith dominated with 29 points and 15 rebounds and Cooper Haynes added 24 points as Briarcrest shot 67.4% from the field, 75% from 3 and was 19-of-22 from the foul line.

"Losing in the championship, in my opinion is the worst way to go out," Tanner said. "That's not how we planned for it to go, but that's how it went. I'm proud of the team.

"I remember this summer: I bet you every person in Tennessee was saying we're not coming back to Tennessee Tech this year."

Tanner will walk into a program struggling to find footing under Stackhouse, whose coaching status has been a topic of conversation in recent weeks. Vanderbilt is 8-21, including 3-13 in the SEC, and has one the program's worst winning percentages which stands at .276 this season.

"I think it all just goes back to wanting to win and being competitive," Tanner said. "I want to go in there — I know they're struggling a little bit right now — but just be a person who can help regardless of whether I'm playing the whole game or not playing at all. Just bringing a winning culture that we've had (at Brentwood Academy). And then just trying to be a light for the team."

Tanner has played for the Eagles since his eighth-grade year. During his tenure, the Eagles have four 20-win seasons and he's won 120 games with a state title in 2023. Brentwood Academy's most successful stretches include four straight state titles from 2015-2018, led by NBA star Darius Garland and four straight from 2003-2006.

"I think (Vanderbilt) gets several things with him," Blackston said. "They're getting a guy who loves the game of basketball. I mean, I'm exhausted right now because my man just hits me up and says 'can you open the gym at 6:30?' three times a week. I'm never going to say no, so I've got to get up early."

MacIntyre, who has been a friend of Tanner's since they played youth league basketball in the fourth grade, spoke about Tanner's influence on the program.

"He's just been a culture guy," MacIntyre said. "Everyone on our team knows why he's so good. He's always in the gym and he always staying after practice and I think he sets a really good example for the young guys as well."

It was Tanner's fourth straight trip to the DII state tournament and his third state championship game appearance. His 36 points in Thursday's semifinal put the Eagles in position for the program's 10th state title, but his 22 on Saturday weren't enough.

The Mr. Basketball finalist and reigning Gatorade Tennessee boys player of the year will turn his attention to Vandy. He's the second straight Middle Tennessee DII point guard that Jerry Stackhouse will bring into the program after signing Goodpasture's Isaiah West last year.

Reach sports writer George Robinson at georgerobinson@theleafchronicle.com and on the X platform (formerly Twitter) @Cville_Sports.