HUNTER COOKSTON
Writer
The Whitwell Tigers have proven they can compete with anyone, even if that hasn’t always translated into wins. After a wire-to-wire victory over Sale Creek in the District Tournament, the Tigers had an opportunity to win their first Region Tournament game since 1996. In a tough road environment at Copper Basin, Whitwell rose to the occasion, securing a 56-42 victory.
The Tigers didn’t get off to the fast start they had hoped for but managed to put nine points on the board in the opening quarter. Tyson Brashears led the way with three points. Sophomores Colin Beason, Jordan Powell, and Brody Harvey each added two points.
Whitwell found more of a rhythm in the second quarter, scoring 16 points. Bennett Goforth paced the Tigers with five points in the period, while Powell contributed four. Ryder Burns knocked down a triple to get on the scoreboard, and Beason and Harvey added two points apiece.
After the intermission, Brashears added six points in the third quarter, with Powell close behind at five. Beason chipped in three points, and Harvey remained consistent with two more.
In the final quarter, Brashears, Beason, and Goforth each scored four points. Powell added two to finish his night, and Harvey rounded out the scoring with a made free throw.
Brashears and Powell led the Tigers with 13 points each. Beason filled up the stat sheet with 11 points, 10 rebounds, four steals, and one block. As a team, Whitwell recorded 29 rebounds and 13 steals.
The Tigers win last Saturday night marks the first 10 win season in a decade. Whitwell’s next game is still to be determined.