The third seed Ben L. Smith Golden Eagles jump out to 13-0 lead over number one seed Dudley Panthers (16-7) and never looked back in a 64-57 win. Smith (15-11) led the entire game by no less than 11 to 18 points until the last three minutes. They led 40-25 at half time. Smith head coach Derrick Partee said his team simply “executed.”
“The kids I expected to make shots made shots, but what I was really pleased with was how we played defense.”
The backcourt of Tyrece Cheek and Raymond Pratt accounted for 39 of Smith’s points. The Panthers had three players scoring in double figures led by Hendon Hooker’s 15, Josh Hopkins with 13 and Aaron Thomas added 12.