Arlington defeats Bartlett in Region 7 District 14-AAA Final
Just a year ago, Arlington was the laughing stock in District 14-AAA, along with Kingsbury at the bottom of the league standings. A year later, under the supervision of first-year head coach Maurice Moe Miller, the Tigers are District 14-AAA…
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Continue ReadingJust a year ago, Arlington was the laughing stock in District 14-AAA, along with Kingsbury at the bottom of the league standings.
A year later, under the supervision of first-year head coach Maurice Moe Miller, the Tigers are District 14-AAA regular season champions, District 14-AAA Tournament Champions and Region 7 District 14-AAA Tournament Champions after defeating last season’s champ Bartlett, 58-50.
Arlington will face Houston, the Region 8 District 15-AAA Runner-up, at home next Monday night in a sub-state matchup.
The Tigers have won 18 games in a row, with their last defeat coming against the Mustangs on Jan. 7 by the final score of 72-59.
Not many people saw Arlington being in this situation, with the opportunity to get to Murfreesboro, Tennessee. Miller, who came from Raleigh-Egypt, always believed in his players.
“We have really just been focusing on taking it day-by-day,” Miller said. “I understand we had a lot of hype early, we stumbled early and we just stayed together. They came in here, going to work every day while everyone was being talked about.
“We just kind of took it personal. We wanted to prove ourselves and still, every day, they want to prove themselves. They want to be talked about. They want to work.”
Arlington started the 2019 season with back-to-back losses to Whitehaven and Tipton-Rosemark Academy before reeling off four straight wins before losing to White Station. The Tigers won three straight before a loss to Pulaski Academy, then lost a close one to Hamilton Heights Academy.
During the first half of the season, Arlington’s young players were learning how to win in Class AAA. Miller has had to rely on his freshmen and sophomores to win games this season. Freshmen Ernest Smith Jr., Andre Watson, Anthony Medlock and Javar Daniel were babies thrown into the fire to begin the season.
Sophomore guard Phillip Dotson III was a key returner from last season’s team, but never experienced postseason success like this year. Senior Chris McKnight might have been the most experienced of everyone on the roster, due to playing in big games last season under Miller with the Pharaohs. Miller, who was a point guard at Georgia Tech, has been trying to mold junior point guard Madison Peaster into his full potential of being a downhill force.
Miller’s job isn’t done yet. Houston is up next and his players are looking forward to the challenge.
“This matchup is going to be one for the ages,” Miller said. “We had a good battle the first time. They ran off at the end, but we’re a different team. I’m sure they’re a different team. We understand what’s at stake and they understand what’s at stake.
“I wouldn’t expect nothing but a battle. I’m looking forward to it. We could have lost four games ago. I’m extremely proud of this group.”
McKnight led the Tigers with 17 points in Thursday night’s win over the Panthers. Smith had 11, and Dotson added 10.
Dion Real discusses the Whitehaven matchup
The Bartlett Panthers will meet the Whitehaven Tigers, the Region 8 District 16-AAA Tournament Champions, for the third straight season in a sub-state matchup, with the winner heading to Murfreesboro, Tennessee. Whitehaven has won the last two meetings at Bartlett. This time around, the Panthers will have to travel to the Tigers. Bartlett head coach Dion Real is hopeful his team will be ready to go to battle against a senior-led Whitehaven team.
“I like to think we both try to hang our hats on the same thing, our defensive intensity, getting after it,” Real said. “They just do such a great job just getting after it. We know what’s up. We know we have to go on the road. They have come to us the past two years and had more intensity.
“We have to figure out just as much or more intensity than they do on the defensive end on Monday.”
Region 7 District 14-AAA All-Tournament Team
Chris Martin (Bartlett), Rodney Mason II (Bartlett), Chris McKnight (Arlington) and Ernest Smith Jr. (Arlington) made the All-Tournament Team. Madison Peaster (Arlington) was named MVP.