Takeaways: Howard vs. McMinn County
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Here are takeaways from the McMinn County’s (17-8) win over Howard Hustlin’ Tigers, 65-41. Both teams are still alive, but Howard lost their last two games and will face a tougher road in the forthcoming regional tournament. Hayden Smith Hayden…
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Continue ReadingHere are takeaways from the McMinn County’s (17-8) win over Howard Hustlin’ Tigers, 65-41.
Both teams are still alive, but Howard lost their last two games and will face a tougher road in the forthcoming regional tournament.
Hayden Smith Hayden Smith 6'3" | SG McMinn County | 2023 State TN slipped down the lane, while accepting a designed and also sharp double-team-splitting bounce pass from Davion Evans Davion Evans 5'6" | PG McMinn County | 2023 State TN , and finished an uncontested layup to beat the first quarter buzzer. Smith capped off a nearly perfect offensive quarter for the McMinn County Cherokees, 22-12.
Passing Opportunity
Davion was excellent in the game, routinely shifting the point of attack without hesitation. Howard is a team full of quick guards and their intense on-ball pressure became and becomes a moderate hindrance when they commit to one point of attack, thus leaving them out of position after the ball swings. Davion and his teammates made their passes crisply and early. It was a gorgeous display of unselfish basketball.
To open the second quarter, Davion caught a kickout pass with an open three-point attempt in his quiver. The poised guard elected to penetrate and further expose the scrambling Hustlin’ Tiger defense. He did it expertly and patiently. District Player of the Year Ty Runyan Ty Runyan 5'11" | PG McMinn County | 2022 State TN was granted a layup by his fellow guard Evans.
Errant
Christian Holland Christian Holland 6'1" | SG Howard | 2023 State TN was always involved. Though not consistently effective, Holland was extremely active. His play really sped up the Cherokee defenders and earned his way into the tight spaces. Unfortunately for Howard (18-7), Holland, and Jadon Jenkins Jadon Jenkins 5'11" | PG Howard | 2022 State TN missed so many, too many of those close shots they generated.
Holland did spend most of his night at the free throw line, as he put the Cherokee is countless vulnerable positions.
Shooting Success
Tucker Monroe Tucker Monroe 6'3" | SF McMinn County | 2023 State TN energized the home crowd with his magnificent three-point shooting. In just the first 11 minutes of the game, Monroe buried 4 three-pointers. His catch into the release looked very smooth and quick. Howard struggled to challenge his shots, primarily because Monroe’s teammates provided him the ball early and in the shooting pocket. When Howard pleaded for a timeout, down 28-17 with 5:27 left in the half, Monroe had just fluttered his fourth successful attempt through.
Halftime: 38-24.
McMinn County
#00
Hayden Smith
Hayden
Smith
6'3" | SG
McMinn County | 2023
State
TN
(2023)
#2
Davion Evans
Davion
Evans
5'6" | PG
McMinn County | 2023
State
TN
(2023)
Ty Runyan
Ty
Runyan
5'11" | PG
McMinn County | 2022
State
TN
10p, 5a, 3r
Tucker Monroe
Tucker
Monroe
6'3" | SF
McMinn County | 2023
State
TN
(2023)
Spradlin (2025)
Howard
#1 Mark Greer* (2022)
#3
Christian Holland
Christian
Holland
6'1" | SG
Howard | 2023
State
TN
* (2023)
#4
Jadon Jenkins
Jadon
Jenkins
5'11" | PG
Howard | 2022
State
TN
* (2022)
#5 Norman Freeman* (2022)
#10 Myquise Thomas* (2024)
#14 Najoe Laboo