Kingsville Tigers Secure Basketball District Title

 

The Kingsville boys basketball team clinched the Class 1, District 7 Tournament title with a win over Sacred Heart by the final score of 38-35 at Green Ridge High School on Friday, Feb. 28.

After Kingsville held a 20-14 halftime lead, the Tigers held off the Gremlins in the fourth quarter of the game as Green Ridge mounted a comeback attempt.

“It was a great game, great crowd for both sides,” said Kingsville boys basketball coach Bill Adams. “Nothing new in that Sacred Heart is well coached, plays really hard, and is a good team. It is a credit to our players that we came out on top.”
Kingsville weathered a scoring drought in the third quarter with the Gremlins posting a 6-2 advantage in the third period to set up the decisive final period.

“We struggled to score in the third quarter, but we held them to just 11 points in the second and third quarter combined so we still had the lead entering the fourth quarter,” said coach Adams.

With the score at 22-20 in Kingsville’s favor entering the fourth, scoring contributions from Tiger sophomore guard Gavin Mullins with six points, senior guard Brayden Barnett with four made free throws in six attempts, and six points from junior center John Fleeman, the Tigers totaled 16 points to hold off a 13-point effort displayed by Sacred Heart.

Mullins also connected on a three-pointer in the second quarter as Fleeman and senior guard Isaac Hawthorne also scored in the second period.

Senior guard Brady Stout provided Kingsville’s two points in the third period as all of the Tigers’ points in the contest came from five players in the team’s seven-man rotation.

“Gavin Mullins hit three key three-pointers for us as they weren’t giving Brady and Brayden any space,” said coach Adams. “They struggled to cover John inside, and we were able to find him for much needed baskets. Brayden Barnett hit key free throws down the stretch as Sacred Heart hit a three-pointer on three straight trips down the floor.

“I am really happy for our players, assistant coaches and the community,” continued coach Adams. “The fans were out in full force, and it meant a lot to the team. Assistant coaches (Payton) Sheer and (Jackson) Magargee never got to play in a game like this, so seeing them so excited is heartwarming.”

For Kingsville, Fleeman finished with a game-high 21 points, Mullins totaled 9 points, Barnett secured 4 points on his made free throws, and with 2 points each were Hawthorne and Stout.

Tiger Clip Eagles
Playing in the semifinal round of the Class 1, District 7 Tournament, Kingsvile defeated Otterville by the final score of 63-49 on Wednesday, Feb. 26.

Twenty-three points scored by the Tigers in the second quarter gave Kingsville a 31-19 lead after trailing by two points at the end of the first period.

The Tigers scored a 32-point second half total as Otterville scored 18 second-half points.

For Kingsville, Brady Stout scored a game-high 24 points, Fleeman scored 15 points, Mullins scored 9, Barnett totaled 7, and with 4 points apiece were Hawthorne and Chase Stout.

Tigers Handle Indians
The Kingsville boys basketball team defeated Chilhowee in the first round of the district tournament by the final score of 46-19 on Monday, Feb. 24.

Kingsville worked to a 26-2 lead at halftime and outscored Chilhowee 20-17 in the second half.

For Kingsville, Brady Stout scored a game-high 13 points, Mullins scored 8, Fleeman totaled 7, Chase Stout and Barnett each scored 6, and with 2 points each were Hawthorne, Blake Utterback, and Griffin Seward.

With the district tournament win, the Kingsville boys basketball team advanced to the Class 1 sectional round of the state tournament with a match-up against Wheatland at Kingsville High School on Monday, Mar. 3. The game resulted in a loss with a score of 41 to 38.

Following the three wins in the district tournament, the Kingsville boys basketball team held a record of 23-5 on the season.