Two of Chattanooga's top boys' basketball programs tipped off the 2024-25 season with Baylor pulling away in the second half to come away with a 62-42 win at Tyner in Quinn McDowell's coaching debut for the Red Raiders.
While Rams' senior guard Rodney Henderson gave the Red Raiders trouble in the first half, which included a steal under his hoop for an easy layup off an inbounds pass and a fastbreak tomahawk left-handed slam dunk, the difference was a collective effort from the visitors in the third quarter.
Fresh off signing last week to play for Indiana Wesleyan University, Kevin Sacas was a dominant force as the Baylor senior collected four of his game-high 13 rebounds off the offensive glass in the first two minutes of the game. Sacas' two-handed stuff in the third quarter was followed by senior Luke Smith drawing a charge before William Baker and Jake Neal drained back-to-back 3-pointers to build a 42-28 lead.
The Red Raiders' ball movement in the third quarter was crisp as they hit four of their 10 3-pointers — three coming off passes from Neal — as they outscored the Rams, 21-9 to start the second half.
"This is an exciting start," McDowell said after being doused by water following his first prep coaching win. "There are so many special things about Baylor, but first and foremost it is the community. Our football team is in the state semifinals this week and a lot of them were out here supporting us. I left college coaching for the chance to build a program that can do something special because you are doing it together.
"That's what makes Baylor special and what I think is going to make this team special. There is no one guy you are able to focus on. It was a total team effort tonight. Our five guys on the floor were connected and made the difference tonight."
Tyner, which went 23-6 last season, was led by Henderson's game-high 17 points, with 11 of those coming in the first quarter as the Rams tied the game at 18 late in the period.
Tyner's Adarius Brewster showcased his defensive tenacity in the second quarter in which he drew a charge on Sacas and also knocked the ball away for a steal and scored, later hitting a left-corner 3-pointer to tie the game at 25 with 3:05 remaining before halftime.
The Red Raiders had five different players score at least eight points, which included senior Bolton Born leading the way with 13 points. Neal followed with 11 points, while William Barker and Sacas each had 10 each. Sacas' season-opening double-double also included two chase-down blocks and a 3-point make.
"Kevin is a special player who is going to have a great career after he leaves Baylor," McDowell said. "He is one of the most difficult matchups in the state with his size and his budding perimeter skill. He has made dramatic improvements on the perimeter over the last six months and is going to be a force inside all season for us."
Zious Whaley and Barker each hit a pair of threes in the Baylor win, while Brewster finished with 12 points and a pair of steals and 3-pointers for Tyner.
"In the first half we were sloppy on our fundamentals on both ends, but I thought our collective discipline in the second half separated things for us," McDowell added. "Tyner is really athletic and has a lot of really good athletes who can be disruptive, so this was a strong road win for us to begin the season."
Contact Patrick MacCoon at pmaccoon@timesfreepress.com.
Baylor vs. Tyner boys' basketball on Nov. 19, 2024 | Chattanooga Times Free Press
BAYLOR 15 16 21 9 -- 61
TYNER 13 12 9 8 -- 42
BAYLOR (61) – Paldauskas 5, Scearce 3, Jake Neal 11, Cantrell, Barker 8, Kegerreis, Sixto 1, Whaley 7, Bolton Born 12, Kevin Sacas 11, Smith 3.
TYNER (42) – Allen, Rodney Henderson 17, Pinkerton 3, Howard, Adarius Brewster 12, Moore, Beeson 2, Harper 4, Buchanan, Ward 4.
3-POINT GOALS: Baylor 10 (Neal 3, Barker 2, Scearce Whaley, Born, Sacas, Smith); Tyner 4 (Brewster 2, Henderson, Ward).
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