Quick hits from Tipton-Rosemark Academy’s win over St. Benedict
Tipton-Rosemark Academy opened up its 2020 season on the road Tuesday night with the 61-54 win over St. Benedict. Here are the quick hits from the game. Tyler Byrd Tyler Byrd 6'3" | SF Tipton-Rosemark Academy | 2022 State TN…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingTipton-Rosemark Academy opened up its 2020 season on the road Tuesday night with the 61-54 win over St. Benedict.
Here are the quick hits from the game.
Tyler Byrd Tyler Byrd 6'3" | SF Tipton-Rosemark Academy | 2022 State TN is everything the Rebels need him to be.
The junior had a solid debut for TRA, notching 20 points. The small forward scored all of his points in the paint and had a monster one-handed dunk before fouling out. Byrd is athletic, possess upper body strength and plays physical. He takes a lot of attention off Alex Anderson, who doesn’t have to see double teams as much with Byrd on the floor.
The transfer from Memphis Central was able to get into the lane and finish with contact. Byrd didn’t have a problem scoring. He was aggressive on defensive, sometimes too aggressive, which led to him fouling out at the 6:29 mark of the fourth quarter.
Outside of foul trouble, Byrd did everything the Rebels needed him to do. He could be the missing piece for the program’s chance for a state title.
Alex Anderson Alex Anderson 6'7" | SF Tipton-Rosemark Academy | 2021 TN stepped up when Byrd went out.
Byrd carried TRA offensively up until he fouled out. Anderson struggled in the first three quarters, then scored 11 straight points in the fourth quarter to give his team a 56-48 lead. Anderson struggled from the free throw line, going 7 for 13. But, in the pivotal moments of the game when the Eagles were trying to close the gap, Anderson made one big shot after another. The South Alabama commit led the Rebels with 27 points.
St. Benedict could be competitive in Division II-AA.
As long as the Eagles have Gary Bair, Adam Barbieri and Bobby Westbrooks, they could be able to compete in Division II-AA. Barbieri didn’t score a single point Tuesday night, while Bair had it going for most of the game. The junior guard led the team with 21 points. Westbrooks got going late to help his team get within four (52-48) before Anderson scored four straight for TRA. Head coach Rob Sabau started freshman guard Marcus Gray, who connected on two 3s early in the first quarter en route to 10 points.
It will take some time for this team to gel. Westbrooks is working to get back to his old self as he’s recovering from a torn meniscus – which was surgically repaired – he suffered earlier in the year.
This team should have double-digits in the win column by the end of the season.