Tellico Plains clawed itself back in a Region 2-2A quarterfinal Saturday, but the upswing effort ended shy of a berth in the final 32 teams in the state and ended the Bears’ season in Chattanooga.
Visiting District 4-2A runner-up Brainerd, Tellico Plains (20-9) lost 61-54 to the hosts.
For all but one member on the Bears’ roster — senior Burgess Tate — Saturday was the first time they stepped on the court in the region tournament. The Bears were knocked out in the District 3-2A first round in the two previous seasons.
“I think they did alright. Burgess did not have his best night shooting but, defensively, did really solid. KT had a really good night — he scored some but he missed some. He played really well,” Tellico Plains coach Don Swanson said. “I feel like it was one of the best games he played all year. He was strong in the paint, strong on the boards; him and Rylan (Woods) were good on the boards.”
Woods led the Bears with 25 points followed by 12 from KT Hamilton. The two combined for 14 of Tellico’s 21 made shots. Woods’ three field goals in both the first and third quarters helped to set a tone.
“Rylan had a real good night, he has really grown. Braden Reed had a really good night,” Swanson said. “I am proud of them, proud of our bench. I am just proud of our team.”
Brainerd matched the Bears in the first period, keeping the game even until a slight pullaway in the second period. The Panthers visited the line seven times in the second quarter, making six shots and finding a six-point advantage midway through.
“They did not really try to push it very hard. I don’t feel like they felt they could. We trapped them a few times and we pressed a few times,” Swanson said. “Their press did not work against us. They played half like we did.”
Brained advanced the advantage to double digits in the second quarter, but Tellico managed to continue to scrap. The Bears cut that lead to six points, then four points in only three trips.
“There were a lot of things that happened referee-wise and call-wise in the first half. I told them ‘It is going to happen, you just have to let those things go and play through it,’” Swanson added. “We went down 10, but I was not nervous. They handled it pretty good.”
Tate supplied seven points, his night’s total, in the third quarter. Hamilton added a 3-pointer in the fourth quarter.
Chadwick Davis finished with six points while Kinley Atkins and Ike Hollinghead had two each.
Brainerd hit 13 field goals in the second half, four of those 3-pointers and seven coming in the final period.
“We missed some free throws and a few easy shots regardless of what calls were made or were not. But we had our opportunities,” Swanson added. “For them to be who they are, they know they were lucky to win. I guarantee that.”
Tellico’s 20 wins outdoes the two previous season totals combined and marks the first time hitting the mark since 2014-15.
The Bears won seven district games — and two in the tournament — after winning only two total in the two previous efforts.
“I felt like it has propelled us where we are going. Our goal next year is to win the district and be first or second in the region. Our big goal is to reach the substate,” Swanson said of the future. “I feel like it is in our grasp. I feel like, with another year in our weight room, we will be ready.”
Tate is the only senior on an upperclassmen group that totaled four players.
“I have only gotten to be with him really one year. Last year, he did not have such a great year, there was so much stuff that went on,” Swanson said. “He has been such a good leader and a good young man. When the game ended, you could tell he was hurt. That is just the times you hate to see them go.
“They have done so much for you. He has been a good leader and he stepped into that role and performed it well.”
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