The Upperman Bees advanced to the semifinal round of the state tournament with a 60-54 win over the Pearl Cohn Firebirds on Wednesday at the Murphy Center in Murfreesboro.
The Bees shot 67% from the field and held off a Firehawks team that made 11 threes to extend their season.
“We got off to a pretty good start and played pretty well early,” said UHS head coach Bobby McWilliams. “Just proud of these guys. I thought from top to bottom we just did what we needed to do to win.”
The Firebirds buried a three in the opening minute to take a 5-2 lead, but the Bees responded with a 9-0 run capped by a layup by Collin Gore. Alex Rush made a layup in the final minute to give the Bees a 15-7 lead after one.
The Bees extended the lead to 20-10 on a jumper by Rush. The Firebirds responded with an 11-4 run to cut the deficit to three. Gore hit a layup with 26 seconds remaining in the frame to give Upperman a 28-24 lead at halftime.
The teams traded baskets throughout most of the third quarter, but Rush put an exclamation point on the frame with a slam dunk to give the Bees a 45-39 lead after three.
The Firebirds responded with a 9-2 run to open the fourth quarter and take a 48-47 lead. Rush then scored four straight to regain the advantage. The Firebirds got a triple to tie the game, but Jaxon Fox buried a three from the corner to give the momentum back to Upperman. Gore and Rush combined for six free throws in the final 30 seconds of the game as the Bees secured the 60-54.
“It’s the state tournament,” said McWilliams. “You’re not going to come in here and roll people up. I thought we were able to get enough stops down the stretch, and then made a big three. That was huge. These guys played super throughout the whole game.”
Rush led the way with 21 points, eight rebounds and four assists. He shot 90% from the field.
“We just took advantage of it,” said Rush on his size advantage over the PCHS defenders in the paint. “They just couldn’t guard (the inside game).”
Gore added 18 points, three rebounds and two assists. Jace McWilliams added seven points, five rebounds and two assists. AJ Nash and Fox each tallied six points and Isaiah Allen scored two.
Allen, a senior, played 11 minutes in the game. He has worked his way back into the lineup after an injury suffered early in the season.
“He’s huge for us because he just gives us some stability,” said coach McWilliams. “He was in with the trainer (Lee Rice) twice a day. It’s hard to do… it shows the character of Isaiah.”
The win marked the Bees first win in the tournament since 1997.
The Bees (27-5) will now turn their attention towards a semifinal matchup with Greeneville (29-6). Tipoff is set for 2:30 p.m. on Friday at the Murphy Center.
Photos by Noah McKay:
