McCallie Makes It Two In A Row Over Baylor

Blues Top Reds 58-53 In Region Playoff Match-Up

Jake Neal poured in a game-high 29 points, but it wasn't enough as McCallie defeated Baylor 58-53 Friday night in a TSSAA Division II-AA East Region playoff contest, giving the Blue Tornado back-to-back wins over the Red Raiders after dropping nine straight in the rivalry.

Trell Knight and Ernas Valuskas each added 15 points for McCallie.

The Blue Tornado led at halftime 33-29 before Baylor opened the second half on a run, using a pair of steals from Paldauskas — who finished with 8 points — to claw back within striking distance. Neal buried a corner three to push Baylor ahead 40-35 and force a McCallie timeout midway through the third.

McCallie responded each time. Knight drilled back-to-back threes in the third and fourth quarters, and Valuskas connected from deep three times on the night to help the Blue Tornado fend off every Baylor surge. McCallie led 47-43 entering the final quarter.

Neal opened the fourth with another three and later converted a layup through contact, but McCallie's depth proved to be the difference. Garrison White added 14 points and Jarris Walker chipped in 11, giving the Blue Tornado five players in double figures.

McCallie head coach Kenneth White credited his team's ball movement for breaking through when Baylor applied pressure.

"When we move the ball, we got good shots," White said. "We got a little tired and our cuts weren't as crisp. You gotta dig deep and figure out a way to win the game, but you gotta move hard on offense in order to do it."

The atmosphere inside Baylor's gym was electric, with the McCallie faithful making their presence felt throughout the night.

"It's not really a home court advantage for them because half the fans are Baylor, half the fans are our guys," Coach White said. "So just don't look at it as an away game. Just keep your poise."

Ezra Sixto led Baylor with 11 points, providing a physical presence in the paint that the Red Raiders had lacked in the previous matchup between the two teams earlier this season. But foul trouble limited his impact down the stretch, and Neal's heroics weren't enough to overcome McCallie's balanced attack.

This game extends McCallie's win streak over Baylor to two games after dropping the past nine to their rivals across the river.

"I'm just happy for our guys," White said. "I want them to have the experience of being in a big-time rivalry. This is the biggest game that most of them have ever played in their lives. Just enjoy the moment."

Both McCallie and Baylor will continue play in the TSSAA tournament.

MCCALLIE (58) – Trell Knight 15, Ernas Valauskas 15, Garrison White 14, Jarris Walker 11, Meyers 3

BAYLOR (53) – Jake Neal 29, Ezra Sixto 11, Paldauskas 8, Elohem 2, Barker 3

3-point goals: McCallie 11 (Valauskas 3, Knight 3, Walker 2, White 2, Meyers 1); Baylor 6 (Neal 8, Paldauskas 2, Barker 1 )

Free throws: McCallie 13 of 18; Baylor 7 of 9.

(Contact Jake Moore at jakemooremedia12@gmail.com)

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