PROGRAM FIRST
BOYS 2A STATE TOURNAMENT QUARTERFINALS
Owls 61, Lewis County 60
By Terry Collins Courier Sports
MURFREESBORO — The Smith County High Owls basketball team made its seventh state tourney appearance last Wednesday afternoon at the Murphy Center at MTSU in Murfreesboro.
The Owls had lost in the Round of 16 in 1931, 1955 and 1961. Smith Co. had lost in the quarterfinals in 1951, 1989 and 1991.
The Owls built a 16 point lead and held on for dear life to capture a 61-60 victory over Lewis County to advance for the first time ever to the Class 2A semifinals.
“To start the game, we came out shooting the ball incredibly well and built a solid lead,” said Smith County High head coach Layne Bussell. “In the second half, Lewis County made some adjustments, and we had matchup issues. (Maddox) Tanner made a few tough threes to keep them in it. (Dakota) Hull was a force down low. Their press late also gave us problems.”
The Owls used a 17-0 first half run to build the lead and trailed only three times in the game as Smith Co. led most of the way.
The Owls were up 47-38 heading into the fourth quarter but six turnovers and missing 6-of-9 foul shots allowed the Panthers to get within one point at 57-56 with 55 .5 seconds left.
Cooper Williams, who led Smith Co. with 20 points, made a two-point basket with 44.4 seconds remaining to increase the Owls lead to 59-56.
Lewis Co. split a pair of free throws with 30.1 seconds remaining to cut the Owls lead to 59-57.
Cooper Williams made 1-of-2 free throws with 26.4 seconds left to build the lead to three at 60-57.
A forced three-pointer by Dakota Hull of Lewis Co. resulted in an air ball as Tyler Jones made 1-of-2 free throws with 11.8 seconds left to push the Owls advantage to 61-57.
Maddox Tanner, who tallied all 20 of his points in the second half, made a 25-footer with 1.2 seconds remaining to cut the Owls’ lead to a single point.
After a timeout, the Owls inbounded to Tyler Jones who was fouled with 0.3 left. After missing the first free throw with Lewis Co. out of timeouts, he intentionally missed the second as the clock evaporated — setting the Smith Co. into a celebration frenzy in the stands.
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