The East Middle School boys basketball team seized control early on Saturday and never relinquished that advantage on its way to capturing the Central Tennessee Conference Tournament Championship in a 46-12 victory over Warren County.
Early into Saturday’s title game, the Panthers used 3-pointers to grab a 16-6 advantage after one quarter. Jordan Taylor knocked down a pair of 3-pointers to lead East with six points in the opening period. Alex Bobo added a 3 and another field goal to finish the first quarter with five points. Sam Bobo added another 3-pointer for the Panthers, while Austin Tinnon put up another basket to round out scoring for East in the opening quarter.
The Panthers’ defense tightened up in the second quarter and held Warren County to just one field goal in the period. East took advantage and took a 23-9 lead into halftime. Eli Martinez hit three free throws for the Panthers, while Alex Bobo and Andrew Carmack each hit a basket in the second quarter.
Six Panthers got into the scoring column in the third quarter, as East combined for 18 points in the period to open up a 41-12 lead. Sam Bobo netted five points for the Panthers, while Carmack added four points. Alex Bobo put up three points in the quarter, while Alex Miller, Martinez and Tinnon each scored two points.
East netted just five points in the final quarter and held Warren County scoreless to notch the 46-12 victory. Carmack scored three of those points for the Panthers in the fourth quarter, while Taylor added a basket.
Alex Bobo led East in scoring and put up 10 points, while Carmack rounded out his day with nine points. Sam Bobo and Taylor each added eight points for the Panthers, while Martinez scored five points. Tinnon finished with four points and Miller rounded out the scoring for East with two points.
Following the CTC Tournament, both the East Middle School girls and boys basketball teams are battling for the Area 9 Championship. The Lady Panthers will travel Monday to take on Central Magnet at 6 p.m. The Panthers will also travel to Central Magnet but face E.O. Coffman on Tuesday at 7:15 p.m.
