TSSAA basketball: Memphis East beats Germantown in region semifinals, will play Bartlett in championship game

E.J. Smith scored 20 points for the Mustangs as they defeated Germantown 90-57 in Tuesday night's Region 8-4A semifinal game at Central High School. 

It was a game East led from start to finish. The Mustangs (24-4) dominated the pace early and Germantown never had an answer. Though the Red Devils had spurts of offensive scoring, it was East that was able to score at will. 

Along with Smith's 20 points, Jamarion Harvey added 15 points and Markese Washington and Alijah Curry had 12 points apiece. Hugh McFarland has 12 points for Germantown (15-10).

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With the win, Memphis East will return to the region championship game for the first time since the 2018-19 season, also the last time it won a region championship. The Mustangs also qualified for the sectional round with the win. 

The Mustangs will play Bartlett on Thursday night at Central High School in the Region 8-4A championship game. The Panthers defeated Bartlett 82-81 in overtime earlier this season at the Memphis Hoopfest on Jan. 15.

Reach Wynston Wilcox at wwilcox@gannett.com and on Twitter @wynstonw__.