From Nashville’s Allen Arena

Starting lineups:
MUS - Sr. Louis Amagliani, Sr. Elliott Cole, So. Taylor Reed, So. Ferrakohn Hall, Sr. John Stokes
McCallie - Sr. Walter Dozier, Jr. Jessie Taylor, Sr. Joel Bradford, Jr. Johnny Newman, Sr. Ron Anderson
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6:26 left in first
MUS trails, 3-2, on a 3-pointer by McCallie sharpshooter Jessie Taylor. Hall is matched up with a huge presence in Anderson, who must be at least 270 pounds. Early on, MUS is using Hall on the perimeter to pull Anderson out of the paint. We’ll see if it pays off.

5:22 left in first
Still, 3-2, McCallie….both teams struggling to find good looks offensively.

4:32 left in first
Did i say struggling? Bradford and Cole trade back-to-back 3-pointers to make it, 6-5, McCallie….with 4:13 left, MUS reserve Robert Counce converts 3-point play to give MUS an 8-6 lead.

2:55 left in first
A good sign for the hometown team - MUS already in bonus. Cole, though, connects on just 1-of-2 FTs to make it, 11-8, MUS.

1:19 left in first
Cole already has seven first-quarter points now following 3-pointer to make it, 14-11, Owls.

End of first
Another trey by Cole with 22.3 seconds remaining makes it 18-13 Owls heading into second quarter.

7:16 left in 2nd quarter
MUS stretches its lead to seven (20-13) on lay-up inside by Stokes, a Vanderbilt football signee.

5:33 left in 2nd quarter
McCallie with a chance to tie now trailing, 20-17……5:08 Taylor hits another 3 to make it 20-20…caps a 7-0 run for the Blue Tornadoes.

4:17 left in 2nd quarter
Timeout MUS, which leads now, 22-20, on a bucket inside by Louis Amagliani……out of timeout, Bradford makes 2-of-2 free throws to tie it again at 22. (Cole forced to bench with second foul)

2:53
Still tight……Hall’s fadeaway over Anderson gives MUS a 24-22 lead….He follows it up with another lay-up over Anderson to stretch the lead to four with 2:37 left to play in the half…Timeout McCallie.

1:37 left in 2nd
MUS leading 29-24 following a 3-pointer by Counce, who’s arguably playing better in this tournament than he has all season…..

Halftime
MUS 30, McCallie 24…….Counce has eight points now after splitting a pair of free throws with 1:02 left in the period to make it, 30-24.

For the half, MUS finished 10-of-20 from the field, including 4-of-8 from 3-point range. Owls losing the rebound battle, 12-8, but McCallie’s 12 first-half turnovers have helped negate that. Looking at the foul situation, Hall has just one, which is huge for MUS. Cole, Taylor and Stokes have two apiece. For McCallie, Anderson and Dozier have two and Johnny Newman, a starter, has three. If MUS could pick up an early foul in the third on either Anderson or Dozier, this game could change in a hurry….Third quarter about to start.

7:38 left in third
The MUS faithful are screaming LOOOUUUUUUU for Amagliani, whose back-to-back baskets give MUS its biggest lead of the game, 34-24.

little more than 6 minutes left
Dozier picks up that third foul the Owls were looking for on a player control foul. Goes to bench. MUS’ defense has been stifling thus far. Timeout MUS with 6:04 left and Amagliani headed to the line….LOOOOOOOUUUUUUUUUU.

5:38 left in third
Amagliani missed the two free throws, then fouled Taylor on a 3-point attempt. Taylor makes all three to make it 34-27.

5:07 left in third
jumper by D.J. Cochran makes it 34-29, but Taylor Reed answers with a second-chance bucket inside, then a steal and a lay-up to put MUS back up 38-29.

3:58 left in third
Good news for the Owls. Anderson picks up third, Cole drains a 3-pointer and McCallie then called for traveling violation….it’s now 41-29 MUS with Hall going to line. Told ya this could get ugly with Dozier and Anderson in foul trouble.

2:50 left in third
Anderson’s still on the floor (at this point, he has to be), and his bucket inside makes it 42-31.

2:32 left in third
Hall working on Anderson inside, gets underneath him for a layup and a 44-31 lead.

1:47 left in third
McCallie ball, still trailing, 44-31, called for an offensive screen. If the Blue Tornadoes do go on and lose, turnovers will be a big part of the story.

:40.9 seconds left in third
McCallie ball, now trailing, 46-34

:26.0
Taylor missed two free throws that could have cut it to 10, but Anderson gets offensive rebound…man, he’s big. Makes 1-of-2 free throws to make it 46-35. MUS tries to hold for last shot, but Taylor gets a steal, misses layup, and Bradford is fouled on offensive rebound. Goes to line with 6.3 seconds left and makes both….46-37…

End of third
Up nine, MUS must remain aggressive here. McCallie scored six straight to end the quarter after the Owls had taken their biggest lead at 46-31 with 1:26 left to play in third.

7:33 left in fourth
Uh oh. Anderson converts 3-point play….but there’s Reed again with a lay-up on the other end…..another McCallie turnover, up to Cole, lay-up and the foul….potential 3-point play that Cole converts….with 7:10 left, it’s MUS 51, McCallie 40. Huge swing there after Anderson cut it to six.

6:50 left in fourth
more good news for MUS….Dozier, the Blue Tornadoes starting point guard, fouls out…..Jordan Brown now at line for MUS with a chance to give his team 13-point lead … He does, 53-40, MUS.

5:47 left in fourth
Timeout McCallie following MUS turnover. Bradford just rattled in a 3-pointer to close the gap back to 10 (53-43). Guess this thing isn’t over yet.

5:27 left in fourth
Cole fouled after a great fast-break pass from Brown. Goes to line and makes first, makes second to put MUS back up 12 (55-43). He now has a game-high 18 points.

4:59 left in fourth
another MUS turnover following Anderson basket, but Counce rebounds second-chance opportunity for McCallie and is fouled….he heads to line with MUS up 10 (55-45).

4:29 left in fourth
MUS crowd on its feet now following two-handed follow jam by Hall of a Counce miss. MUS now leads 59-46.

3:46 left in fourth
Cole’s lay-up makes it 61-46….matches biggest lead.

2:39 left in fourth
MUS ball and up, 61-49…REEEEEED hits in lane to make it 63-49….everything going right for MUS.

1:44 left in fourth
The Owls can stall now, and they are….Counce makes baseline jumper with 1:30 left to give Owls a 65-49 advantage…..Starting to look like an all-Memphis final tomorrow at 2:30 p.m.

1:25 left in fourth
MUS pulls starters…..it’s actually mop-up time in a state semifinal…who’d have thunk it?

35 seconds reamining
Only question now is which MUS role player will get in scoring column…..nothing but smiles on MUS bench right now.

It’s over……MUS 65, McCallie 54
For the first time in D2 basketball history, two Memphis teams will meet for the state title. One will become the first Memphis-area D2 basketball champion, as no Memphis boys team has ever won the D2 title.
P.S. Classy move by the MUS student section, who are chanting Jer-ry Pe-ters, Jer-ry Pe-ters as MUS makes its way off the court.

We’ll do it again tomorrow, guys. I’m off for interviews.

Early first quarter

Both teams appear to be feeling each other out, as baylor now leads 6-0 on two 3-pointers.

3:41 left in the first:

this one’s getting heated….Sidney Tarver takes down Grant Jessen, then steps over him as he’s getting up. A typical football move from a football guy playing basketball….Tarver has signed with Tennessee State as a linebacker…..St. George’s trails, 8-6.

End of 1st

Strange quarter seeing that St. George’s must have at least eight blocks as a team (Laurence Bowers has four by himself). Still, St. George’s isn’t being particularly patient offensively, taking quick shots and getting few second-chance opportunities. Gryhpons trail 13-6 at the end of one. Williams has four. Jessen two for St. George’s.

Early second quarter

Mr. Basketball finalist E. Williams starting to find his shooting stroke. Williams 3-point play with 6:10 left in the second makes it, 13-10, Baylor.

4:21 left in second

Uh oh. Bowers picked up his second foul with 4:21 left in period. He goes to bench. St. George’s trails, 16-12.

2:20 left in second

St. George’s now down, 20-12, on bucket inside by Tarver. Steven Leake hits a 3-pointer with 2:04 left to make it 20-15.

End of second quarter: Baylor 22, St. George’s 19

If you like offense, this one isn’t for you. So far, this one’s been a physical battle. Very scrappy Baylor team keeping St. George’s from what it wants to do offensively. Williams, not to mention whole team, stuggling from field. St. George’s finished 8-of-25 in the first half. Baylor wasn’t much better at 9-of-24.

7:08 left in third

Watch out now. St. Geroge’s starts quarter on a 7-0 run to take a 26-22 lead and force a Baylor timeout. Bowers started it with a jumper from 16 feet. Williams got a steal, then Leake rattled in a 3-pointer. Another Bowers steal, passes over to Williams, and back to Bowers for a 2-handed jam and a 26-22 lead. Allen Arena going nuts.

5:47 left in third

Bowers, who just tipped one in to make it 28-25, picks up his third foul trying to block a Kevin Cooper shot. Cooper makes basket and converts free-throw to make it a 3-point play and tie it. Bowers, however, doesn’t come out, and gets another tip-in to make it 30-28 with 5:27 left.

4:40 left in third

Timeout Baylor. Interesting coaching decision on the part of St. George’s Jeff Ruffin, leaving Bowers in with three fouls. Paying off so far.

2:40 left in third

Game tied at 31. Bowers still in with three fouls, and actually draws an offensive foul on Tarver, who picked up his third foul on the play.

End of third

Baylor 38, St. Geroge’s 33

Sophomore forward Zane Gibson scores five straight points to end the quarter and give his team a 5-point advantage. It’s obvious on the floor that St. George’s is the more talented team, but that’s why we play the games. Baylor is a scrappy bunch that makes you play its tempo.

6:27 left in fourth

Williams FTs have made it, 41-37…..6:22 Baylor called for offensive foul, Gryphons possession down four.

6:05 left in fourth

Eric Folk II 3-pointer makes it 41-40!!!!!!

5:31 left in fourth

E. Williams steps to the line with a chance to put St. George’s back up…makes 1-of-2…game tied now, and St. George’s just picks up a jump-ball call. Timeout Gryhpons with 5:29 left.

5:00 left in fourth

St. George’s up 45-41 on basket by Bowers and lay-up by Jessen!!!!!! Gryphon faithful going crazy in here.

4:03 left in fourth

Timeout St. George’s…..Gryphons have possession and still up 45-41…

3:17 left in fourth

Laurence Bowers is just too long for Baylor….puts back own miss to make it 47-41…..he must have the wingspan of a 6-10, 6-11 guy. His numbers at the end of this one should be phenomenal, win or lose.

1:40 left in fourth

Foul called on Tarver reaching in on Folk rebound. Folk has chance to put St. George’s up eight, but misses first free throw. …. Misses second, too. St. George’s leads 49-43

1:26 left in fourth

Baylor’s Zane Gibson makes 1-of-2 free throws to make it 49-44…..Jessen fouled on other end with 1:19 left, makes first….misses second….St. George’s leads 50-44.

:56.8 seconds left in fourth:

Timeout Baylor following Zane Gibson’s baseline jumper that made it 52-48. Williams had given SG a 52-46 lead.

42.7 seconds left

Baylor bus driver might need to go ahead and start warming up the ride. St. George’s now leads 55-48 on 3-of-4 FTs from williams and bowers…

22.5 seconds left

E. Williams steps to line for two more FTs and SG leading 55-50. Makes 1-of-2 to make it a 6-point game (now has 16 points)…..

15.3 seconds left

Tarver, the Tennessee State football signee, fouls out for Baylor. This one’s all but over with Folk on the line….makes the first….Williams, Bowers, Jessen and Leake subbed out by Jeff Ruffin…folk misses second…but it’s 57-50 and all but over.

It’s over….St. George’s, in just its second varsity season, will play tonight’s MUS/McCallie winner in Saturday’s title game. Bowers was awesome. Don’t have a final stat sheet yet, but I know he had 18 and double figures in rebounds. ….Williams finishes with 16 and Folk 8.

Interview time again. Check back with us this evening for updates on MUS/McCallie. I’m out.

From Nashville’s Allen Arena
First quarter:

Big development: D2 Miss Basketball finalist Glory Johnson picks up her second foul with 3:27 left in the first quarter and Lausanne trailing the top-seeded Lady Spartans, 15-10.

With Johnson out, Lausanne, closes the gap to 19-18 after one.

Early second quarter:

Lausanne ties it at 20 on a basket by junior Brittany Looney, then takes a 23-20 lead on Milira Dunn’s 3-pointer at the top of the key. Johnson coming off bench now.

4:33 left in second:

Lausanne on a 7-0 run now capped by Avant’s 3-pointer. Lausanne 30, Webb 22

1:12 left in 2nd:

Johnson lay-up makes it 30-29…..Webb on a 7-0 run. Lynx on heels.

HALFTIME: 30-30

Johnson has 8 points in limited action for Webb. Sophomore post Faith Dupree has 10.

For Lausanne, Avant has eight and Milira Dunn has eight.

Something to keep an eye on in second half: Avant picked up her third foul in the second quarter, and will have to be less aggressive after the break.

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Still halftime. Just an observation on Johnson, who at 6-2 has unbelievable ball-handling ability. On two consecutive plays in the second quarter, she rebounded the ball, took it coast-to-coast with Lausanne’s smaller guards draped all over her, then pulled up from 13-feet. Swish. Next play, Johnson coming down court, dishes off to Faith Dupree for a fast-break lay-up. This girl is special.

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6:19 left in 3rd

Only basket so far is a Sharwil Bell leaner in the lane…..Lausanne up 32-30…Timeout.

5:01 left in 3rd

Lausanne struggling to find shots with Avant not starting second half because of foul trouble. Emily Dupree 3-pointer makes it 35-32 Webb.

2:23 left in 3rd

Webb on a 19-2 run since Lausanne took a 30-22 lead with 4:12 left in the second quarter. Lady Spartans now lead 41-32, taking control. Avant returned with 4:19 left in third.

End of 3rd

Webb 43, Lausanne 37…..Johnson picked up her third foul with 58.4 second left in the quarter, but it may be too late now for Lausanne. They’ve scored just five points over the last 12 minutes of the game.

Early fourth quarter

Milira Dunn FTs make it 45-41….Lausanne still in it.

5:36 left in 4th

Milira Dunn’s 3-pointer makes it 49-44, but Lausanne can’t afford to trade baskets with Johnson at this point. Webb’s star now has a game-high 18. Lausanne’s Miss Basketball finalist, Avant, has 10. Timeout.

3:39 left in 4th

Lausanne forced to call a timeout with Sharwil Bell trapped in corner. Lynx now trail 55-48.

3:09 left in 4th

Lausanne has a chance to pick up some ground here. Now in the bonus, with Brittany Looney going to line for a one-and-one and Lausanne trailing, 55-49. Oops. She missed the front end. Still 3:09 left. Avant gets a shot at a one-and-one with 2:51 left. She missed the first, too.

1:47 left in 4th

Webb beginning stall game with score still 55-49. Lausanne called for sixth team foul of quarter.

31.3 second left in 4th

Looking pretty bad for the hometown team. Webb leads 57-51 and has possession. Johnson just blocked a Hannah Summerfield 3-point attempt, then got the ball at halfcourt and took it in for a layup. Lausanne’s Sharwil Bell connected on a putback with 33.3 seconds left.

It’s over….Webb 59, Lausanne 51
Give the Lady Lynx credit. They kept it close for as long as they could against what has to be one of the state’s best girls players in years. Lausanne closes out it’s season at 31-5. Webb moves on to face GPS/BA winner for title.

I’m off to do interviews.