Five Trends First Half Briarcrest Christian-Brentwood Academy
Brentwood Academy, in search of their fifth consecutive state title welcomed Briarcrest Christian to the 615 for the Division II AA State Championship. In a battle of athletic guards Kennedy Chandler and Marcus Fitzgerald Jr. generated beautiful early offense.
Five trends emerged in the opening half.
Tech-nically Ratched Up Emotions
Both starter shooters, Clay Holmes-BA and Tyler Harrington-Briarcrest, earned technical fouls in the first half. The causes were quite different.
Tyler shouted at the Brentwood Academy bench and front two rows of fans in a combative manner, while Clay was angry about an offensive foul call. Both sat immediately and did return in the final minute of the second quarter.
Big Player Big Moment
Kennedy Chandler split two defenders disturbingly easily. The sophomore showed every bit of his high major potential in the first half. Kennedy's handle and creativity set him apart on the court. Only Marcus Fitzgerald Jr. appeared in the same class with the handle.
Early trends: Briarcrest called for two charges. Kennedy is a supreme danger in the open floor.
— Prep Hoops Tennessee (@PrepHoopsTN) March 2, 2019
BA 2-4 from 3. Briarcrest isn't feeding their workhorse Omari Thomas yet.
Marcellus Brigham Jr. is guarding Randy Brady straight up.
Brigham Changing Hands
Marcellus Brigham Jr. finished a gorgeous left-handed layup in the lane. It looked completely natural...and it was. Marcellus is ambidextrous and capable of making all shots 8' and in with either hand. Not traditional layups, rather touch shots like floaters and mid-range jumpers.
Brigham lead all scorers after the first quarter with seven points, 3-4 from the field.
Free Not Easy
Brentwood Academy missed three of their first four free throws. It was a shame because the Eagles earned their way deep into the bonus early.
Brentwood is in the bonus, but hasn’t made good on its free throws. As a team, the Eagles are 1 for 4 from the free throw line. BA is up 23-20 with 4:47 left before halftime.
— Courtney Asher Smith (@CourtneyHoops90) March 2, 2019
Bizarrely, Brentwood Academy missed both technical free throws. Clay Holmes, generally considered Brentwood Academy's most reliable shooter missed the pair. The Eagles missed six of their first 11 free throws!!
Drawing Fouls
Kennedy Chandler, Randy Brady, and Marcus Fitzgerald Jr. all possess the incredible quickness, the kind of quickness that forces defenders to reach and grab. All three stars made their way to the free throw line with differing results. Kennedy made all three of his free throws early after a fantastic 18-19 shooting Thursday.
Randy Brady made all four of his free throws. Teammate Marcus Fitzgerald Jr. missed three of his first four shots.
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