Tigers Roar in 9AA Finals
Macon County would face a very hot Greenbrier Bobcat team in the finals of the District 9 AA Tournament. MCHS would then face David Lipscomb in the first round of Region 5AA tournament play.
This Tiger team came ready to play in the finals of District 9AA. After converting their first basket, Macon guards made two steals, which they converted into baskets, and they never looked back. Senior Dallas Grace was on fire, going 4 of 6 with two long range three pointers. After one quarter, MCHS led 24-9. Unfortunately for the Bobcats they got more of the same as the Tiger pressure created more turnovers, leading to more points. The game was all but over at the half with the score MCHS 46 GHS 19. Coach Welch emptied the bench early in the third as Macon rolled away with the tournament tile by a score of 83-49 over Greenbrier.
Scoring were: Tyler Manning 3, Trey McPherson 9, Dallas Grace 29, Dalton Shrum 3, Brantley Russell 9, Aaron Carter 2, Tyler Clark 9, Dillon McCormick 4, Peyton Clark 3, Justin Tucker5, Daniel Gregory 3, Austin McClard 2, and Mason Shrum 2. Andrew Kempf played hard but did not score.
Regular season and tournament teams were announced. Dallas Grace was named regular season MVP as well as tournament MVP. Named to the regular season All-District team were Tyler Manning and Trey McPherson. Manning and McPherson were also named to the All-Tournament team. Coach Jason Welch was named Coach of the District and Coach of the Tournament.
On Saturday Feb. 25th the Tigers hosted the David Lipscomb Mustangs in the first round of region play. Lipscomb opened the game with full court man-to-man pressure which forced some turnovers that they converted into points. After one Lipscomb led 15-11. The Tigers couldn’t quite match their District Finals performance, shooting only 9 of 23 in the first half. However, Macon was in the game and only down by four 24-28. An old problem reared its ugly head in the third period. For some reason, points have been hard to come by in the second half of games this season for this team. MCHS shoots 6 of 17 from the field and Lipscomb goes 8 of 14 and extends their lead. After three, the Mustangs lead 49-37. Senior Tyler Manning led a comeback charge, scoring 12 of his game high 20 points in the last period. At one point MCHS was able to trim the lead to just nine points. However, Lipscomb was able to convert just enough free throws, 15 of 27 in the fourth quarter, to hold off the Tigers and secure the win. Final score Lipscomb 73 Macon 59.
Scoring were: Manning 20, Kempf 1, McPherson 13, Grace 11, Shrum 7, Carter 4, and T. Clark 3. Russell, McCormick, P. Clark, Tucker, Gregory, McClard, and Shrum all played but did not score.
This ends the season for this talented Tiger team. We wish the Seniors good luck and say thanks for a great season!