901 TOC: Knoxville Webb handles Whitehaven in title game

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Knoxville Webb defeated Whitehaven Tuesday evening to win this season's 901 Tournament of Champions title. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Spartans head into the short break at 13-2. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here are 3 observations from Knoxville Webb's win:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Strong 3rd quarter</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Spartans held a 22-18 lead at halftime. They were getting great looks in the 1st half, but a lot of those looks didn't fall. Things quickly changed in the 3rd quarter. Knoxville Webb used a 17-4 run to take full control. During the run, senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1642603' first='Owen' last='Lentz'] made a 3. Sophomore point guard Schuyler Huck made a 3, and senior forward [player_tooltip player_id='2166129' first='Alexander' last='Leeth'] made a 3. Once the Spartans found their groove offensively, they didn't look back. The Tigers didn't have a counter. They didn't have the firepower to match the Spartans' shooting attack. Knoxville Webb just needed to see one 3 to fall. Last season's TSSAA Division II Class AA state champ played solid defense throughout the contest and dictated the pace.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Spartans defeated a talented Whitehaven team without starters [player_tooltip player_id='1277259' first='Cam' last='Swearengen'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2296673' first='Wilson' last='Luton']. Knoxville Webb's mentality doesn't change when guys go down. It's the next man up.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Hazelbaker's performance was needed</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Speaking of next man up, senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='2345574' first='Brayden' last='Hazelbaker'] had a strong 3rd quarter that helped the Spartans build a double-digit lead. Hazelbaker scored 9 of his 16 points in a quarter that displayed the program's championship pedigree. One of the best highlights from Hazelbaker came when he zipped a bounce pass to a gliding Leeth for an uncontested two-handed slam off Leeth's ball screen that confused the Tigers, leaving the 6-foot-5 forward all alone in the paint.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hazelbaker read it perfectly. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On another possession, Leeth set another screen, freeing up Hazelbaker, who dribbled back to his left for the 17-foot jumper. The 6-0 guard was feeling it in the 3rd quarter. Whitehaven didn't an answer for him.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>It's up from here</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sophomore point guard Schuyler Huck gave the Spartans a big boost in the backcourt with Swearengen sidelined. The 5-9 point guard wasn't bothered by the Tigers' full-court pressure. Huck handled it well, played with good pace, and made timely shots. He finished with 12 points. Huck played in a huge non-district game and held his own. He should build confidence within himself and trust in the coaching staff as Knoxville Webb has more important games ahead. It's only up from here for Huck.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>All-Tournament Team</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='3258055' first='Eric' last='Winston'] (Whitehaven), Hakim Logan (Whitehaven), Hazelbaker, Leeth, and Lentz made the 901 Tournament of Champions All-Tournament Team. Lentz was named MVP. He finished the night with 16 points. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->