Brookhaven tops Bowling Green in boy's finalSouthern Sports & Travel, By Darron Thomas
The Brookhaven Cougars used a stifling defense and a 24-9 first quarter to upend the 3rd ranked Bowling Green Buccaneers 64-57 in the finals of the Brookhaven Holiday Tournament on Wednesday night. Brookhaven’s frontcourt duo of Jake Reed and Sidney Chaffin combined for 39 points as the Cougar’s capitalized on a turnover laden Bowling Green squad to take the tournament trophy.
Bowling Green got on the board first on a Jaron Edwards to Colton Owens basket at the 7:11 mark of the opening quarter but Brookhaven answered with a 14-2 run that included 3-pointers from Jamison Powell and Sidney Chaffin. Brookhaven increased their lead to 22-6 on a back door pass from Powell to Brock Smith with 1:13 left in the first quarter. Following a Jaron Edwards 3-pointer Brookhaven finished the quarter on a Brock Smith offensive rebound and put back to take a 24-9 lead.
Bowling Green got baskets from Shod Fortenberry and Russell Perry to start the second quarter to trim the deficit to 24-13. Jamison Powell nailed a jumper from 12 feet to answer and Bowling Green turned the ball over on three of their next four possessions and found themselves down 30-15 after a Powell steal and lay-in with just over four minutes left in the opening half. Bowling Green got a 3-point bucket from freshman Mac McElveen and a Jaron Edwards steal and dunk with 3:54 left in the quarter to pull back to within eight points at 30-22. Brookhaven would take a 35-25 lead into the locker-room at the half on a Sidney Chaffin offensive board and lay-in.
Bowling Green got on the board first on a Jaron Edwards to Colton Owens basket at the 7:11 mark of the opening quarter but Brookhaven answered with a 14-2 run that included 3-pointers from Jamison Powell and Sidney Chaffin. Brookhaven increased their lead to 22-6 on a back door pass from Powell to Brock Smith with 1:13 left in the first quarter. Following a Jaron Edwards 3-pointer Brookhaven finished the quarter on a Brock Smith offensive rebound and put back to take a 24-9 lead.
Bowling Green got baskets from Shod Fortenberry and Russell Perry to start the second quarter to trim the deficit to 24-13. Jamison Powell nailed a jumper from 12 feet to answer and Bowling Green turned the ball over on three of their next four possessions and found themselves down 30-15 after a Powell steal and lay-in with just over four minutes left in the opening half. Bowling Green got a 3-point bucket from freshman Mac McElveen and a Jaron Edwards steal and dunk with 3:54 left in the quarter to pull back to within eight points at 30-22. Brookhaven would take a 35-25 lead into the locker-room at the half on a Sidney Chaffin offensive board and lay-in.
(Above) Jamison Powell (#3) of Brookhaven nails a 3-pointer over Colton Owens (#2) of Bowling GreenThe Brookhaven lead was trimmed to 35-29 as Dylan Varnado and Shod Fortenberry started the second half with baskets. Bowling Green was unable to get within six points during the third quarter as Sidney Chaffin nailed two jumpers from the elbow and converted on two free throws to help keep Bowling Green at bay. The Cougars ended the third quarter on top 42-35.
Jaron Edwards got Bowling Green to within four points at 42-38 to start the final period as the senior converted on a driving basket plus one at the 7:35 mark but Brookhaven stretched the lead back out to nine points as Jamison Powell and Sidney Chaffin combined for seven points to help the Cougars push the advantage to 50-41 with 4:01 remaining. Bowling Green managed to stay within single digits and an Edwards basket with 1:51 left pulled the Bucs to 55-50 but Brookhaven hit 10/12 free throws (Reed 8/8) down the stretch to preserve a 64-57 win.
“I liked our intensity on defense,” said Brookhaven head coach Dale Watts. “We’re getting better but we have to do a better job rebounding against teams like Bowling Green. Any win is a good win.”
Brookhaven sophomore Bubba Keene pulled up limping midway through the fourth quarter and didn’t return. “He’s fine, just a sprained ankle,” said Watts.
Brookhaven was led by junior big man Sidney Chaffin who had a game high 21 points, Jake Reed added 18, Jamison Powell 16, Brock Smith 6 and Bubba Keene 3 points.
Jaron Edwards had 20 for Bowling Green, Shod Fortenberry added 15, Colton Owens 11, Russell Perry 4, Mac McElveen 3 and Dylan Varnado and Kevin Perry 2 apiece.
Brookhaven improves to 11-4 with the win while Bowling Green falls to 14-4. The two will go head to head again on January 5th in Franklinton.
BA...24...11...7...22...64
BG....9...16...10..22...57
(Photo at top of page) Brookhaven's Sidney Chaffin (#33) with two of his game high 21 pts
BG....9...16...10..22...57
(Photo at top of page) Brookhaven's Sidney Chaffin (#33) with two of his game high 21 pts
