WHITE HOUSE Saturday evening’s Region 5-AA Tournament quarterfinal between the East Nashville and White House boys prep basketball programs was a stark contrast to the last time the two teams played in the postseason.
However, the outcome was the same.
The visiting Eagles took control in the second quarter and were never threatened in a 78-42 victory.
“We were competitive two quarters out of the four, the first and the third,” Blue Devil head coach Gary Smith said. “Other than that, it was just a total mismatch.
“I think we did everything we could to prepare the guys for it. They’re just better … they’re just much better. That’s the bottom line.”
White House High junior forward Malik Morgan elevates to shoot a second-quarter jump shot in front of East Nashville junior Marques Whitmon. Morgan scored a team-high 14 points.
With White House employing stall tactics, visiting East Nashville captured a 13-12, overtime win in a regional quarterfinal played during the 2010-11 season. The Eagles finished as the Class AA state runner-up that season.
The two teams eclipsed that offensive production less than a minute into the second quarter on Saturday.
“We have a few opportunities early, and we didn’t finish,” Smith said.
It was during the second period that East Nashville (23-8) separated itself, forcing 12 turnovers during that eight-minute stretch. The Eagles – the No. 3 seed from District 10-AA – forced a total of 31 turnovers, 18 of which came in the first half.
“We knew exactly what we were going to see,” Smith said. “We saw them my first year here, and the result was pretty much the same (a 68-42 setback during the regular season).
“They play a different game. We’ve worked five (players) against eight, five against nine in practice, but it still wasn’t like playing against their five.”
In addition to the turnovers, Eagle sophomore guard Gene Holmes made three of his four 3-pointers over the first four minutes of the second stanza, and senior teammate Leonardo Holmes sank one during that span as well.
Gene Holmes led four East Nashville players who scored in double figures with a game-high 25 points.
Leonardo Holmes turned an open-court steal into a transition layin in the final minute of the half, giving his squad a 25-point lead (39-14) at halftime.
“We would run a perfect set and throw a great pass, and they’d just be waiting on it,” Smith said. “Not only are they quick, but they anticipate well. When we get a rebound or catch a pass, they would strip us. They’re so quick that it’s not a foul, and they’re going to finish when they get a breakaway.”
The Blue Devils – the No. 2 seed from District 9-AA – didn’t lose any ground in the third period as juniors Bradley Cole and Malik Morgan scored six points each in the period, but the Eagles scored 16 of the first 19 points in the fourth quarter to create a 37-point margin.
Morgan scored a team-high 14 points, and Cole provided 10.
White House High junior guard Bradley Cole dribbles to the basket during second-quarter action. Cole scored 10 points.
“Probably most of our league (9-AA) is in shock tonight,” Smith said. “That (10-AA) is just a really strong district.”
East Nashville advanced to face Whites Creek – a 54-31 winner over visiting Harpeth in its Region 5-AA quarterfinal on Saturday – in Tuesday evening’s semifinal round. The Eagles suffered a one-point loss and 10-point setback to Whites Creek during the regular season.
White House (15-15) concluded its most successful season since the 2010-11 campaign, finishing as the 9-AA Tournament runner-up and placing third in 9-AA during the regular season. The Blue Devils lose three seniors – point guard Luke Hopkins, guard Gavin Herrell and forward Logan Trimmer.
White House High senior point guard Luke Hopkins shoots a first-quarter shot in the lane in front of East Nashville junior Marques Whitmon. Hopkins scored seven points in the Blue Devils’ 78-42 loss on Saturday evening.
“I believe that whatever success we have in the next few years, I’ll credit this year’s seniors for much of that,” Smith – who is in his fourth season at the helm of the program – said. “Luke, Logan and Gavin were great leaders. They led by example. They didn’t have to say a lot. Our players admired the way they practiced and the way they played.
“I think the program is moving in the right direction. We did play for the district championship, and we got to host a region game, which we haven’t done in four years. It was really an enjoyable year.”
Reach Craig Harris at charris@mtcngroup.com or at 615-575-7138. Follow him on Twitter @HarrisGNESports.
EAST NASHVILLE (78) – Gene Holmes 25, Brian Thompson 12, Marques Whitmon 11, James Kirk 10, Leonardo Holmes 9, Jayden Lockett 4, Monte Catlett 3, Royal Hobson 2, Dominique Washington 2.
WHITE HOUSE (42) – Malik Morgan 14, Bradley Cole 10, Luke Hopkins 7, Logan Trimmer 6, Connor Hollis 3, Jared Ward 2.
Half: 39-14, East Nashville. Three-point goals: East Nashville 6 (G. Holmes 4, L. Holmes 1, Whitmon 1), White House 2 (Cole 2, Hollis 1). Records: East Nashville 23-8, White House 15-15.