Battle for Nashville: 6 observations

The Battle for Nashville Tournament ended with Bartlett defeating Knoxville Catholic in the championship game. The third place game between Briarcrest and Maryville went down to the wire.   The consolation bracket had some competitive games as well.   Here are 6 observations from the final day of the event:   Bartlett jumped out fast and didn't look back   The Panthers cruised to a 78-57 win over the Fighting Irish to win this season's Battle for Nashville Tournament. Bartlett jumped out to an 11-2 lead thanks to two 3s from junior wing [player_tooltip player_id='2291122' first='Dylan' last='Jones']. Sophomore point guard [player_tooltip player_id='2194475' first='Braylon' last='Williams'] was the X-factor early on with his scoring. He scored 10 points in the first quarter, draining two 3s in the early minutes of the contest. The Panthers built a 48-31 halftime lead and led by 21 entering the fourth quarter.   Jones led Bartlett with 24 points. Williams finished with 19. Senior forward Axton Perry had his way in the paint, finishing the game with 12.   The Panthers got into a rhythm early, got out in transition, and used their length to contest shots near the rim. When Bartlett is able to get into an early groove, the ending result tends to be a victory.   Huggins led Briarcrest   Sophomore forward [player_tooltip player_id='2194485' first='Joshua' last='Huggins'] led the Saints to a 51-48 victory over the Maryville Rebels in the third place game. The 6-foot-6 Huggins scored 10 of his 23 points in the fourth quarter. He made two free throws late in the fourth quarter to give Briarcrest a one-point cushion after Maryville had a short-lived lead. Huggins made two more free throws to seal the win.   Huggins is playing alongside senior forward Fred Smith Jr., who has had a stellar high school career. But, Huggins - when he wants to - can be the best player on the floor and put a team on his back. He can score with his back to the basket. Huggins has very good footwork. He finishes well around the rim. Huggins was everything the Saints needed him to be to come out victorious.   Sigmund is a difference maker   The 6-8 forward is a difference maker for the Rebels. It was on full display in the third quarter against Briarcrest. When Maryville was in need of offense, Sigmund answered the bell. He positioned himself perfectly on the block, called for the basketball, and scored crucial buckets for the Rebels. Sigmund's 6 points in the 3rd quarter helped Maryville open up its offense and allow other guys to get quality looks. His presence alone makes a team sweat and stay on high alert.   Humphreys stood out   Brentwood Academy lost to Providence Christian Academy, 63-60, in the first game on Wednesday, but the Eagles' sophomore forward [player_tooltip player_id='2543986' first='James' last='Humphreys'] had a solid, all-around game. He was finishing at the rim, contesting shots, pushing the basketball in transition, and knocking down 15-foot jumpers. Humphreys didn't back down from guarding Christopher Washington Jr. He didn't shy away from playing physical. Humphreys finished the game with 19 points. He played well enough for Brentwood Academy to win.   Junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='2194529' first='Jacob' last='Nixon'] was solid as well. He finished with 15.   Applegate was cooking   PCA's senior forward Peyton Applegate had a quiet, productive 18 points in his team's win over the Eagles. He scored 8 of those points in the third quarter when both teams were trading scores. Applegate was making shots from the perimeter and finishing at the rim. At 6-7, he's one of the more polished prospects in the 2026 class that will always find a way to put his imprint on the game.   Washington finished with 16. Nickalai Anderson added 14. Sophomore point guard Mike Holloway played big minutes for the Lions. He played solid defense, knocked down a key 3 then a floater in the 4th quarter that helped PCA pull away. Holloway is showing promise heading into the second half of the season when the Lions are going to look his way for solid play for a chance at back-to-back TSSAA Division II Class A state titles.   Brentwood's big 3 can do damage   Brentwood defeated a talented Battle Ground Academy team, 63-56, on Wednesday. Senior guards Hudson McKnight and Jackson McCutcheon came out and played with great energy and a sense of urgency. Both made shots when the Bruins needed them. They handled ball pressure very well. McKnight scored 9 of his 20 points in the 2nd quarter. McCutcheon scored 9 of his 17 points in the 3rd quarter. McCutcheon converted on a key 3-point play late in the 4th quarter.   Junior foward [player_tooltip player_id='2376260' first='Davis' last='Cochran'] made his presence felt in the paint. The 6-7 Cochran scored 17 points and did damage when he was able to get one-on-one matchups on the block. Cochran, McKnight, and McCutcheon have Brentwood on the Class 4A title radar. These 3 prospects can do damage.   All-Tournament Teams   Cade Murphy, DJ Okoth, [player_tooltip player_id='2291122' first='Dylan' last='Jones'], [player_tooltip player_id='2194475' first='Braylon' last='Williams'], and Fred Smith Jr. were named to the Battle for Nashville All-Tournament First Team. Jones was crowned MVP.   [player_tooltip player_id='2376260' first='Davis' last='Cochran'], Trey Pearson, Eli Owensby, Malachi Brown, and [player_tooltip player_id='2194485' first='Joshua' last='Huggins'] were named to the All-Tournament Second Team.

The Battle for Nashville Tournament ended with Bartlett defeating Knoxville Catholic in the championship game. The third place game between Briarcrest and Maryville went down to the wire.