Senior night for Heath Snodgrass and six other Baylor School wrestlers was memorable Friday as they rolled past crosstown rival McCallie, 51-14, in the historic Duke Arena.
In the 220-pound matchup, Snodgrass showed the same fight and determination that has helped him earn not only a starting spot but a leadership role for the Red Raiders.
Snodgrass battled back from a 4-2 deficit in the third period as he had two powerful takedowns of Carson Gentle, the first like a linebacker hit on the outside ring. Then with 30 seconds left, Snodgrass lifted and took his opponent down to the mat for two points before holding on for an 8-6 victory.
"Heath Snodgrass is a kid that has done everything the right way," Baylor first-year head coach Rex Kendle said. "He was in our starting varsity lineup as a sophomore and lost his starting spot as a junior. He didn't quit or cry. He came to every single practice.
"In this day of instant gratification, not a lot of people will hang on when things go against them. But he earned his spot this year, and the team even elected him as team captain."
Staff photo by C.B. Schmelter / Baylor senior wrestler Heath Snodgrass, right, works to take down McCallie's Carson Gentle during their 220-pound match Friday night at Duke Arena. It was senior night for Baylor, and Snodgrass won 8-6 to help the host Red Raiders to a 51-14 victory.While the rivalry was far from normal with a socially distanced and a small crowd of just family members due to COVID-19, there were several marquee matchups that stood out.
Baylor junior Garrison Dendy won 4-3 in a bout with three-time state champion Emory Taylor at 152 pounds. Dendy scored three points in the second period off an escape and a reversal, then defended well to close the match.
"Garrison bumped up from 145 and wrestled really well against Emory Taylor, who is a really tough kid who is going to wrestle for the University of Pittsburgh," Kendle said. "That was a good win for Garrison. I was proud of the heart our guys showed in some places tonight, but I still think we aren't firing on all cylinders yet."
With the pandemic altering plans for both teams this season, it was just the second match for Baylor (2-0) and third for McCallie.
The Blue Tornado opened Friday's dual with a 4-0 victory from Nicholas Ridings at 132. Also for McCallie, one of the state's top back-to-back combos, Gavin Cagle (160) and Alex Whitworth (170), were sharp with 20-8 and 13-3 major decisions.
The rivalry concluded with a 126-pound showdown between two-time state champions Jack Braman of McCallie and Jackson Bond of Baylor. The back-and-forth match ended with Braman circling his opponent for a reversal and a 7-5 overtime win.
Baylor received pins from Kade Hartline (106), Michael Tisdale (138), David Harper (195) and Matthew Smith (285), and Gunnar Garriques (182) won 6-0 for the home team, which accepted three forfeits.
The Red Raiders hope next month to celebrate a third straight TSSAA Division II state duals title. McCallie is opting out of the postseason duals to focus on preparation for the state traditional tournament, which will be held Feb. 18-20 in Chattanooga.
BOWLING
Notre Dame senior CJ Petrin won the TSSAA Division II individual state title with a 224-189 victory over Briarcrest's Brendan Donlevy in Smyrna, where Boyd Buchanan's Caleb Kelley finished third. In the team tournament, Notre Dame (13-1) and Boyd Buchanan (11-8) reached the semifinals, as did GPS (13-1), and the Bruisers' Molly Burnett, Allie Foropolous and Katelyn Beach finished sixth through eighth.
BOYS' BASKETBALL
Heritage 59, Southeast Whitfield 37: Carson Palmer scored 12 points to lead the Generals (11-5, 8-1 GHSA Region 7-AAAA), with Cade Kiniry, Kaden Swope and Cooper Terry adding eight points each in the win.
Northwest Whitfield 75, Pickens 66: Chandler Jackson scored nine of his game-high 24 points in the fourth quarter. Ray Morrison added 16 points, Jack Brock 14 and Payton Baker 13 for the Bruins (11-5, 5-3 Region 7-AAAA).
Christian Heritage 68, North Cobb Christian 48: The Lions (13-2, 3-0 Region 7-A private) rolled as freshman Jax Abernathy had 19 points and senior Evan Lester 18. Dre Jackson added 11, and senior Nash Bingham had nine with seven assists for the winners.
Calhoun 84, Cartersville 77: Peyton Law scored a career-best 31 points for the Yellow Jackets (8-8, 3-2 Region 7-AAAAA), and Dylan Faulkner added 18 and Blaze Hammett 11 in the victory.
Walker Valley 67, Soddy-Daisy 31: Walker Valley junior Seth Sausville's career-high 26 points included four 3-pointers, and Peyton Ratcliff added 11 points for the winners.
East Hamilton 74, McMinn County 52: Marcus Long scored 32 points for the Hurricanes (10-2, 5-1 District 5-AAA), Darwin Randolph had 10 assists and Jordan Harris (15 points) and Cade Pendleton (12) also contributed.
Notre Dame 46, Boyd Buchanan 34: Senior guards Cal Price and Bryson Smith combined for 15 of the Fighting Irish's 18 fourth-quarter points in their district road win. Price scored a game-high 17 points, Tim Vaughn added 12 and Smith had 10 for Notre Dame. Boyd Buchanan's Caden Johnson scored 13 points.
GIRLS' BASKETBALL
Heritage 70, Southeast Whitfield 21: The Lady Generals (12-4, 6-2 GHSA Region 7-AAA) won behind 15 points from Brooke Matherly, 14 from Lauren Mock and nine each from Riley KoKinda, Gracie Murray and Dayonna Perryman.
Trion 53, Drew Charter 22: Libby Brown scored nine of her 14 points in the final period, and Chloe Murdock added 12 - nine in the third period - for the winning Lady Bulldogs (12-3, 6-0 Region 6-A public).
Sonoraville 69, Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe 16: The Lady Phoenix (13-3, 9-1 Region 6-AAA) cruised as Alexa Geary had 18 points and five rebounds, Matti Parker 11 and six and Abby Chambers 10 points.
Ringgold 47, North Murray 29: Baleigh Pitts scored eight of her game-high 10 points in the final quarter to lead the Lady Tigers (11-5, 6-4 Region 6-AAA), with Addi Broome and Rachel Lopez adding nine each.
Notre Dame 36, Boyd Buchanan 34: The Lady Irish fought past a late push by the Lady Buccaneers for a district road victory. Kenzie Campbell led Notre Dame with 12 points, Claire Mullins had 10 and Mary Fillauer nine. Boyd Buchanan's Dani Reeves scored 13 points.
Walker Valley 45, Soddy-Daisy 38: Michelle Benson scored 11 first-half points and hit a pair of 3-pointers - along with Cayce Davis (10 points) and Emma Bentley - for Walker Valley, which outscored the Lady Trojans 13-3 in the second quarter. Soddy-Daisy's Becca Morgan scored 12 points.
Silverdale Baptist 63, Grace Academy 17: Becca Lamb scored 17 points as the Lady Seahawks (15-7, 4-0 Division II-AA East Region) cruised.
Signal Mountain 48, Central 3: The Lady Eagles led 40-3 at halftime in the District 6-AA game. Janie Kennedy and Cassidy Pawson each scored eight points in the first half.
Sale Creek 50, Copper Basin 32: The Lady Panthers rolled behind Kayla Phillips (12 points, 11 rebounds), Keilyn Morgan (10 points, 10 rebounds) and Lillie Morgan (11 points, five assists).
Roundup reports compiled by Patrick MacCoon and Lindsey Young. Contact MacCoon at pmaccoon@timesfreepress.com and follow him on Twitter @PMacCoon. Contact Young at lyoung@timesfreepress.com and follow him on Twitter @youngsports22.