Sweetwater snaps losing streak to end Rhea County Holiday Tournament

Sweetwater’s win on Dec. 29 snapped a six-game losing streak and ended the Wildcats’ first half of the season with five wins.

“We are learning to compete and to play hard. We played some very tough competition and stayed in the ball game. We competed against everybody,” Sweetwater coach Joe Allen said. “I know everyone wants to win, but we competed against a good Red Boiling Springs team, the Chattanooga Prep team was very athletic and pressed us and we handled the press. I was proud of the fight in the kids.

“We continued to battle even though things have not been going our way. I am proud of them.”

Alford’s top mark was 25 points in the tournament opener against Red Boiling Springs, followed by 24 points against Chattanooga Prep and 23 in the win over Ooltewah.

The senior led all scorers in two of the three games, only being bested by 26 points from Red Boiling Springs’ Colton Copas.

“We had a long conversation with him about being a better leader and being more encouraging — not that he is not being encouraging, I don’t mean it that way,” Allen said of Alford. “We are trying to help him navigate through this season where he normally has played with more experienced players. He is now having to take it upon himself and play with some inexperienced players and help them grow. He has done a great job.”

Alford finished the tournament with 24 field goals and seven three-pointers. He shot 85% at the free throw line, including perfect games against Chattanooga Prep and Ooltewah.

Of the 12 players that were marked as appearing in the tournament, seven of the Wildcats were freshmen. The group does carry over experience from last year’s team that reached the TMSAA State Championship — as does Allen.

Picking up the experience that comes with tournament-style basketball could be valuable to Sweetwater in the second half of the season and when the District 3-2A tournament arrives.

“I think in the future it is going to be a big thing. We are learning to play better competition and learning to play at a faster pace. They are adjusting on the fly,” Allen said. “Most freshmen come in and they do not get to play until their sophomore year or later, but they have been thrown into the fire. They have had some ups and downs but, for the most part, they have kept their chin up and battled hard.”

The Wildcats (5-8) ran with the same starting five through the tournament. Alford is accompanied by seniors Campbell Hicks and DeMarth Upton. Junior Cade Houser continues to be impactful and freshman Hunter Daffron remains an important part of the puzzle.

“I just try to get them all to play together. I want them to play as hard as they can possibly play and play as a team. That is why there are five players on the floor. If you try to play one or two against five that does not work,” Allen said. “They are just starting to feel comfortable playing together a little bit.”

Bryson Burgess played consistently over the week. The freshman finished with 10 points in the win over Ooltewah, seven against Chattanooga Prep and two in the opening contest.

“He has stepped out of his comfort zone and had a really good week. He scored quite a few points this week and that is a bright spot coming,” Allen said. “He is a talented young man.”

Hicks finished the tournament with 28 points scored — the second-highest for Sweetwater. The senior reached double figures against Red Boiling Springs and Chattanooga Prep while hitting eight three-pointers over the tournament.

Daffron appeared consistently on the scoresheet as well. The freshman finished with 24 points, including a personal high 11 in the opener.

The Wildcats entered the tournament having only practiced once after Christmas.

“We were a little rusty and probably ate a bunch of stuff that we should not have been eating. We were a little sluggish in the first half, but picked it up in the second half,” Allen added. “In the Chattanooga Prep game and Ooltewah, we played extremely hard and smart. They just seemed to be a little more confident.”

Sweetwater had seen Ooltewah earlier this season, beating them in a preseason play day.

Exploding in the middle quarters, Sweetwater outscored the Owls 42-22 in the second and third quarters. The Wildcats saw five players score eight points or more and nine end up on the scoresheet.

A team total 31 field goals is one of their top performances this season, paired with a team’s perfect 12 for 12 at the line.

“It puts a very positive note (on it). I was glad for them to get a win because it gives you a little confidence and they needed that,” Allen said. “We were so close (in other games), but never got over the edge.”

Sweetwater’s skid saw the team fall to Loudon by four points, Meigs County by two and within two points of Red Boiling Springs with 17 seconds to play.

“We were just so close when it all comes together I think they will continue to battle and not lose confidence,” Allen added.

The Wildcats saw a late lead fall away in the opener. The Wildcats led Red Boiling Springs by five at halftime, but a 21-10 fourth quarter favoring the Bulldogs left Sweetwater bested.

Two Bulldogs combined for 46 of Red Boiling Springs’ 66 points. Top-scorer Copas finished with 26 points, including five field goals in the fourth quarter.

Sweetwater’s offense picked up in the second quarter of the second game. The Wildcats were held to eight points in the first frame — all from Alford — before scoring 22 in the second.

Hicks found a trio of three-pointers in the second quarter followed by a pair of baskets from Cade Houser. The Wildcats were outscored in the third and fourth quarters but kept pace with the Sentinels.

“I am proud of the fight in my guys. They will continue to fight each day and we will be fine,” Allen said.