Bearden High School team won the Rhea County Holiday Tournament held from December 27 through the 29th at Rhea County High School.(Photo:GaryBolden)

18-2 Bearden Wins 66-55 in Overtime Against Eagles for Rhea Holiday Tournament Championship.

12/29/23 Evensville, TN

18-2 Rhea County and 17-2 Bearden met in the championship game of the Rhea County Holiday Tournament on Friday, December 29, 2023. Both teams came in with only two losses in the season. This game did not lack for excitement in a very close game throughout regular play that extended into overtime. After regulation, score was tied 48 to 48 with each team having chances to close out the game in regulation. In overtime, Bearden played a little better to take the win and the championship trophy.

Game was close early with Eagles holding the thin lead throughout most of the quarter, but Mahoney's free throw in last seconds of quarter tied the game 13-13. Kyler Akin and Caleb Carr led the Eagles in the quarter with 6 and 5 points respectively. Dupre broke the tie with 2 free throws early in second quarter and Dupre and Justin Nordin battled in the quarter with Nordia winning with 9 points to Dupre's 7 points but the Eagles took a two-point lead at the halftime break 28-26. Dupree and Carr accounted for 6 points in a run to push Eagles to 28-25 lead before Nordin canned a 3-pointer at the buzzer.

The third quarter saw Bearden overtake Rhea for the lead. Nordin had 8 points to push Bearden to a 14-10 advantage to give Bulldogs a 40-38 lead. Keyshawn Smith put the Eagles up 42-40 early in the 4th quarter and his 2 free throws tied the score 44-44 later in the quarter(3:45). Bryce Dupre's baseline jumper pulled Eagles within 47-46 with 1:12 left in regulation. Braylon Geer gave Eagles the 48-47 lead with two big free throws, but Brillhert hit a free throw to tie the game with 3 seconds and score ended at tie 48-48.

In overtime Eagles were close at 53-51 when Brodie Smith hit corner 3 to push the Bulldogs lead to 5 points with just over two minutes remaining. After a defensive stop Mahoney hit 2 free throws to put Eagles in a bind, down 58-51 with 1:18 left in game. Two more Bulldogs free throws put Eagles down 60-52 before Braylon Geer gave Eagles hope with 31 seconds left and down 5(60-55). Eagles needed a stop and score to be in a one score game. Looked like that turnover had come on a charge on the inbounds play, but Referee had not put ball back in play. Eagles could not make up the gap and Bearden finished strong for the 66-55 score that did nothing to indicate how close this game was.

Justin Nordin led Knox Bearden with 25 points and Bryce Dupre and Kyler Akin both finished in double digits for Eagles with 15 and 14 points respectively.

Four Eagles received recognition for their tournament play. Bryce Dupre, Kyler Akin, Caleb Carr and Cooper Brackett(100% award) were named All-Tournament for the Eagles. Bearden's Justin Nordin was named MVP for the tournament.

Rhea County High School coach Brien Crowder was proud of the effort against the # 5 ranked team in the State in 4A. Crowder said, "This team just played a very good game against a top team in the state. I am proud of the effort. We just needed one more play and we win in regulation."

"This team begins district play on Friday and we are in a good place. We have seen great improvement with our post play by Keshawn Smith and Caleb Carr over the last couple of weeks. We will need them in district play."

"Tyler Dupre has improved his play from last year and is consistent outside and inside threat with the ball. He was outstanding in the "Battle of the Creek" Tournament, winning Most Valuable Player. We have very good guard play with Kyler Akin and Braylon Geer, and our bench has been contributing well, especially Cooper Brackett who provides energy and does a great job of running the offense."

Scoring for Rhea: Dupre 15, Akin 14, Smith 9, Carr, Geer 8,.

Scoring for Bearden: Nordin 25, Brillhart 14, Mahoney 11, Lapshaw 9, Smith 3, Parrott 3

Rhea County Roster:

Bearden Roster: