Siegel boys Region champs, Ooltewah up next on The Murfreesboro Post

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Siegel boys Region champs, Ooltewah up next

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By: JEFF JORDAN, Special to The Post

Posted: Friday, March 5, 2010 7:47 am

The Siegel boys, 23–8, got off to a slow start Thursday night in the Region Championship in Shelbyville versus Columbia, 20–12 but still managed a 60–52 win while committing an astonishing 27 turnovers.

The Stars won because they out rebounded Columbia 31–15 and found a new hero in guard Janeal McDonald.

The junior point guard, who gets very little playing time, came through when it mattered most with a three-pointer and 7 of 8 free throws and a steal, all in the fourth quarter.

Joining McDonald in double figures were Marc Gooch and Stephen Hurt with 11 each and Kerry Hammonds with 10.

Hammonds had a 3-pointer to close out the first quarter and was held scoreless until hitting 7 free throws in the fourth quarter. Hammonds three sent Siegel on a 10–2 run and a five-point halftime lead that the Stars never gave up.

I was really impressed with Siegel’s Stephen Hurt. He was a force in this game, especially his rebounding.

Siegel shot 45 percent for the game, hitting 17 of 38 with four three pointers.

The win really helps Siegel’s chances of getting to the state tournament in two weeks. First and foremost, the Stars avoid traveling to powerful Cleveland (26–4). Cleveland won their finals over Ooltewah Thursday night 83–59.

Instead the Stars can play in front of Siegel Nation on Monday versus not quite as powerful Ooltewah (21–11).

Columbia gets to go to Cleveland, the court in the round gym where state berths go to die. I think the Columbia Lions are done.

Siegel, however, has problems, but they are not done. A home court advantage and a new hero will not beat the Ooltewah Owls. Taking care of the basketball, mastering how to hold the ball and inbound the ball will go a long way toward winning.

I can only assume that Siegel Coach Ben Dotson will demand attention to these skills over the next four days. This is a great chance to get to Murphy Center, the prize is only one victory away and with Ellis, Gooch, Hammonds, Tate and Mitchell all graduating, it may be the last chance in a while.

The Schedule: MTCS girls (22 – 9) travel to Wayne County Saturday night for Sectional action and the Riverdale girls will host Cleveland (26 – 9) while the Blackman girls (22–7) travel to Walker Valley (30–2).

NOTES: I looked back at past scores and noticed that on Feb. 5th, Cleveland beat Ooltewah 106–101. Surely this was a five overtime game; nobody scores 101 points and loses in high school ball. Well, clearly it does happen.

Shelbyville High and staff, especially Principal Don Embry (a Riverdale graduate) and AD Whit Taylor did a super job hosting the four-night tournament.

The Riverdale/Cleveland game is a rematch from a game played in November. Riverdale lost that game 57–51. Let’s hope for a better ending this time around.

The Blackman game is also a rematch of sorts: Blackman won at Walker Valley in last year’s sectional 69 – 59.

Tagged under High school basketball

Member Opinions:

By: gotitans2007 on 3/5/10
Although Siegel will miss this year's seniors, I disagree about Siegel's chances for a while...next year's seniors are strong with Williams, Hurt, Butler, McDonald, Smith, Thomas, McCord and Adams...