Spring City 8th Grader Harlan Thomas prepares to score 1 of his game high 18 points for the Bulldogs vs Philadelphia in tournament play on January 24, 2024.(photo:GaryBolden)

Bulldogs Get Wins Over Vanore and Philadelphia in Postseason Tournament

Vanore, TN 1/24/24

Spring City like many teams in the area had spent almost two weeks without games or practice going into the postseason tournament that was postponed due to the snowstorm of 2024. Being unable to play the first night of the tournament put them in a tough spot of playing two games in two gyms in one night, and playing the second game against a fresh team. Bulldogs under coach Bill Chattin were up to the task as they won over Vanore in game played at Vanore, then loaded up and traveled a short trip to Greenback, where they also won to advance to the championship game on the next night.

The first game vs Vanore saw the Bulldogs get off to good start with good defense as they won the first quarter 10-2. Eli Williams led the Vanore team to life in second quarter with 6 of their 13 points. Bulldogs scored 12, but saw their lead stand at 22-15 when the halftime buzzer sounded. Miles Phillips led Bulldogs with 6 second-quarter points. Jayden Fitzgerald, who played one of his best games of the season, scored 8 third-quarter points as Bulldogs hit for a game high 15 point quarter and clamped down on defense, limiting the Devils to 3 points. Bulldogs were able to rest some of starters for the next game in the 4th, and Vanore cut into the final margin as Spring City won 43-29.

Scoring for Spring City: Jayden Fitzgerald 12, Miles Phillips 10, Mack Chattin 7, Gavyn Crowe 8, Harlan Thomas 4, Haven Gatlin 2.

Vanore: Zerryn White 9, Eli Williams 6, Beckham Steele 7, Peyton Key 3, Asa Askey 3, Logan Edwards 1.

Greenback, TN

Bulldogs traveled to Greenback to play Philadelphia in second game of the night. Philadelphia won their opening tournament game on the previous night. Harlan Thomas came out strong for the Bulldogs with 8 first-half points, but Philadelphia was very quick and had a little more bounce in their step and though much smaller, they played well with 10 first points to lead 10-9 after first quarter. Oody Breyer went off for 8 second quarter points to power Philadelphia to the 22-18 lead. Fitzgerald and Phillips each had 4 points to lead Bulldogs in second quarter.

Bulldogs came out with much more pep in their step the second half and were more successful in running their offense and applying pressure on defense as they had their best quarter with 15 third quarter points and then duplicated that with 15 more in the fourth quarter to win the second half 30-7 for the 48-29 win. Harlan Thomas and Miles Phillips had 10 and 9 points respectively to lead the Bulldogs in the second half. Thomas was very effective going to the hoop and Phillips controlled the inside. Gavyn Crowe provided a couple of 3-point bombs for 6 points. Bulldogs point totals: Harlan Thomas 18, Miles Phillips 13, Jayden Fitzgerald 8, Gavyn Crowe 6, Trenton Ellis 3. Philadelphia: Oody Breyer 10, Kasen Miter 7, Gavin Millsaps 5, Cade Tate, Elijah Albright 2.

After the game, Coach Chattin said, "We changed out our defensive focus and made a better effort to run our offense and it worked."