Christ Presbyterian Academy junior Clay Washburn (32) launches a first-quarter 3-pointer over Whites Creek sophomore Andrew Woodard during Monday’s Class AA sectional matchup.
Whites Creek forward Jaquan Brooks didn’t have his most eventual offensive outing in Monday night’s Class AA sectional at Christ Presbyterian Academy.
Second-year Whites Creek coach Carlton Battle instructs his team during the first half of Monday’s Class AA sectional matchup at Christ Presbyterian Academy.
The 6-foot-5 junior did, however, deliver a crucial late-game blow to the five-time defending Region 6-AA champion Lions, stealing an inbounds pass and converting it into an easy layup to spot the Cobras a two-point advantage with 1:38 left in overtime.
“I’m just glad it went down,” said Brooks, who finished with just four points on 2-of-7 shooting while hauling down 13 rebounds, including five on the offensive end.
Whites Creek (21-11), runners-up in Region 5-AA, never trailed again after Brooks’ basket, as the Cobras went on to secure a 45-41 win and the school’s first state tournament appearance since 2007.
“I think just late in the fourth quarter we realized it could really happen,” said second-year Whites Creek coach Carlton Battle, whose team faced a 16-15 halftime deficit before falling behind 30-26 at the end of three quarters. “We’ve had things go bad before and had to come from behind to win, and I think they finally realized we could do it one more time.
“Something just clicked.”
CPA (23-8), led by Drew Scott’s 14-point, six-rebound effort, shot just 6 of 25 from beyond the 3-point line in the loss, something Lions coach Drew Maddux credited to Whites Creek’s defensive length — particularly that of 6-foot-9 junior Ruot Monyyong.
“Those are shots we’ve made all year and tonight we just shot a poor percentage, and credit their defense,” Maddux said. “(Monyyong) has such great length and timing, so when he contests a shot it’s going to make a difference. Every big we’ve played that was 6-foot-8 plus stayed in or around the basket.
“Credit his agility and athleticism to be able to attack our outside shots like that.”
Monyyong finished with 16 points, 16 rebounds, three blocks, three assists and a steal for the Cobras, while teammates Kenny Holmes and Jonathan Richardson combined to score 15 in the thrilling victory.
“It was an emotional roller coaster,” Battle said. “CPA has been here numerous times, and we knew that if we were going to get where we want to be we had to beat the kings. Hats off to Coach Drew Maddux for what he was able to do with this team — without all the superstars.”
CPA junior Clay Washburn finished with eight points on 3 of 10 shooting for the Lions, hitting just two of his 10 attempts from beyond the arc, while the squad’s only senior, Evan Ragsdale, contributed seven points.
The Division I state tournaments will be held March 16-19 at MTSU’s Murphy Center. First-round matchups will be determined at Tuesday night’s blind draw prior to the Mr. and Miss Basketball award ceremonies. The boys’ blind draw will be Tuesday at 5 p.m. at Murfreesboro’s DoubleTree Hotel.
Reach Michael Murphy at 615-269-8262 and on Twitter @Murph_TNsports .