Murfreesboro Post
MURFREESBORO WEATHER

Blackman earns road sweep at Smyrna




SMYRNA — Blackman earned a sweep on the road at Smyrna Friday night as the boys rode a strong second half offensively to defeat the Bulldogs 49-31.

The Blaze improved to 10-0 on the season and held their third consecutive opponent to under 40 points.

“I think we were on edge, but not razor’s edge,” Blackman coach Barry Wortman said. “I thought Smyrna brought the fight to us and we can learn and grow from that.”

The first half was a low-scoring affair as neither team could develop rhythm, but Blackman jumped out to a 19-8 lead at the half behind eight points from Jordan Burchfield, including two 3s in the final minutes. Blackman held the Bulldogs to 15 percent shooting from the floor while outrebounding Smyrna 17-9.

The second half was a different story, however, as both scored on their first three possessions, including a Trent Gibson bucket from inside the paint to extend a 26-13 Blaze lead four minutes in. Brandon Thomas later knock down 3 of 4 from the free-throw line for Blackman to close out a 35-23 lead heading into the final period.

“We needed to keep pushing. Our defense feeds our offense,” added senior Gibson on the high-scoring third period for the Blaze “Getting the boards also gets us into a fast break where I can facilitate, which leads to points.”

Smyrna got as close as 40-30 on a LaDarius Dixon layup at the four-minute mark left in play. Blackman’s balanced attack was too much as Burchfield answered with a lay-in, along with three free throws from Gabriel Martin to close the door for the Blaze onto a 49-31 victory.

Blackman held Smyrna to just 11 of 28 shooting from the floor (28 percent). Blackman currently leads the state in total defense, allowing an average of 39 points per game.

“I thought we played good defense, we struggled guarding off the dribble tonight, but give Smyrna credit,” Wortman said.

Blackman’s Gibson scored a game-high 16 points to go with five rebounds and three assists. Thomas added 15 points, six rebounds to go with Burchfield’s 10 points to round off the Blaze’s double-digit scoring.

“Brandon (Thomas) was a consistent force down low and when we fed him he made a play for us,” Gibson said of his senior post teammate.

Tyler Lansden chipped in team-highs of 12 points and three assists for Smyrna in the loss.

GIRLS

Blackman 71, Smyrna 17

The Lady Blaze rolled Smyrna to an east victory as they were led by Nia Vanzant with 17 points, six rebounds and six steals.

Turnovers turned into points for Blackman as they forced 21 turnovers via steal. Goff and Jaida Bond added three steals apiece for Blackman.

Blackman jumped out to a 44-11 halftime, led behind 11 points from Vanzant. Victoria Page totaled nine points, all in the second half, for the Lady Blaze to close out their second consecutive district win.

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