Stars Run Past Bears, Reach State Tournament

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CLEVELAND — The score at the end of the first quarter didn’t reflect Siegel boys’ basketball coach Ben Dotson’s two-word comment after Monday’s TSSAA Class AAA state sectional at Bradley Central.

But the final score did.

When asked when he thought his team had the pace of the game to his liking, he answered, “The tip.” Thirty-two minutes later his team was state-tournament bound after defeating Bradley Central 59-38.

Sixth-ranked Siegel (28-5) is one of the eight remaining teams in its classification that will compete for a state championship in its hometown of Murfreesboro. Action at Middle Tennessee State University begins March 13.

Siegel didn’t get a layup off the opening tip, but it didn’t take more than 20 seconds before Dominique Gooch scored on a drive from the left side. The Stars never trailed, but their 12-9 lead after one quarter was moderate compared to what was to come.

“They’re a great shooting team and they were playing at home,” Dotson said. “You can’t take any possession off in that situation. I thought we came out and matched them shot for shot.”

But beginning with Siegel’s 11-0 run to start the second quarter, the Bears were soon unable to match the Stars shot for shot.

“They’re more physical than us at pretty much every position,” Bradley coach Kent Smith said. “We knew we were going to have to shoot the ball well, especially from the outside. When they get it they’re looking to go north and south and they’re going to the rim.

“To have a chance we had to shoot it very, very well, and we didn’t. We didn’t get many second shots, and they get the ball down the floor as quick as anybody.”

Bradley was within 27-17 before Siegel scored the last seven points of the first half. The Stars’ first 20-point lead was early in the second half, and after they went up 45-23, they led by more than 20 the rest of the way.

“We don’t run a whole lot of plays,” Dotson said. “We’re just looking to run the break and get down the floor.”

Gooch scored eight of his 17 points in the first quarter and ended up leading Siegel, which because of a knee injury have been playing without senior Robert Brandon since late January. Dotson said Brandon was averaging 18.0 points per game at the time.

Ryan Jones added 15 for the Stars. Damien Clark scored eight of his nine points in their 22-point second quarter.

Junior Taylor Bentley’s 12 points paced Bradley (19-13), and he and Bryce Copeland made two 3-point goals each. Copeland, a four-year starter at guard, closed out his career with eight points when he fouled out with 1:35 to play.

“We won a region championship with this team after losing seven seniors,” Smith said. “We had to play Cleveland on their floor three times and beat them there. Being one of the final 16 teams is a pretty good thing for this bunch.”

Siegel 59, Bradley Central 38

Siegel 12 22 17 8 — 59

Bradley 9 8 9 12 — 38

Siegel: C. Clark 4, Gooch 17, Jones 15, Burton 5, D. Clark 9, Martin 3, Simpson 4, Steward 2.

Bradley Central (38) — Copeland 8, Cox, Bentley 12, Cain 2, Whitmire 6, McGowan, Clark 7, McCurdy 3.

Oh What a Night!

What could be more fun than a game that is neck and neck till the end?  Being the winning team of that game!

What a great night of basketball at Siegel High School last night!  The Siegel Stars and the LaVergne Wolverines battled all night for the top side of the score...final 67 - 65.  

The game started with a free throw point of 1 for John A. Simpson on this Senior Night.  At the end of the first quarter, Siegel trailed 18-11.  At the end of the second quarter, Siegel trailed 37-29. Before the end of the third quarter, Ryan "Lilman" Jones put the Stars ahead by one 42-41, and the end of the third quarter saw the Stars maintaining the lead with a 49-46 score.  

The fourth quarter was a battle.  With a minute left in the game, a shot by Dominique Gooch at the charity stripe put the Stars back to their earlier 3-point lead.  

This is where the win was secured by the Stars.  It's interesting to note:  Gooch, Charles "Bird" Clark, Aden Burton, and Damien Clark all shot and made their foul shots in that last minute.  LaVergne had an opportunity to do the same and did not make their shots.  The Stars held on to win by just two points.  Free Throw Shots can win or lose a game.  

What a pleasure it was to watch so many Stars make their shots at that line.  It's like extra credit in the classroom:  it's a bonus that can change your score on a test or in a game.  It's always nice to be on the upside of the bonus.  

Congratulations, Stars!  Congratulations, Seniors! (Brandon, Simpson, D.Clark, Martin)  Moving on to the District Tournament at Smyrna High, where the Stars will play next Saturday at 6:30. 

The Weather Outside is Frightful, but the Stars are So Delightful!

Great game  by the Siegel Stars Friday night as they played Riverdale's Warriors at Siegel High Gymnasium.  

After a 75-38 win, the Stars are now 23-2 on the season.  It was great to have senior, John A. Simpson back on the floor.  Simpson and Dominique Gooch returned to play in Tuesday's game at Oakland.  Senior, Robert Brandon continues to be cheering from the bench while his knee heels.  

The Stars return to action Tuesday night at Blackman High School.  The regular season will finish up with a home game next Friday night against the LaVergne Wolverines.

District Tournaments begin February 14.

Charles "Bird" Clark finished the night with 16 points...2 of which came from an awesome dunk.

Siegel Wins Over Smyrna

Friday night's game at Smyrna marked the re-entry of Aden Burton onto the floor playing with the Varsity Hoops, though he had played very well during the JV game the evening before.

After receiving the go-ahead from his physician, Burton has rejoined the team as more than a cheering comrade from his bench position.  Looking forward to more play from him in the weeks ahead.

Most notable in play last night was the genuine team effort...individuals were noticeably looking for open players who would have better shots.  Maybe that is proof that a little time in the Alaskan wilderness is good for a fella.  Looking forward to the rest of the season and the rest of the district play that lies ahead!

The View from the Lens

I've been watching basketball for most of my life.  I played when girls were held to half the court.  I love the game.  I love everything about the game.  I especially love to see players who are selfless and who are willing to be a part of the effort, even when they aren't the ones making the baskets.  

Ryan Jones, who made plenty of baskets, made an assist that is typical of most of the players on the Siegel team at any given time.  Jones dropped the ball effortlessly (in appearance) into the ready hands of Robert Brandon, who just pressed it through the waiting rim to score two points and more 'oohs' and 'aahs' than the gymnasium heard the rest of the night.  A simple drive and dunk would have been thrilling, but the awareness the players showed of each other's place on the court added a bonus to the moment.  

Siegel has new faces this year that seem to be finding a home with the old and known faces.  Charles "Bird" Clark, Ryan "Lilman" Jones, and Robert Brandon played the first games without the Star football players who have now made their way back to the court.  Adding to this year's field of players, though, have been very capable additions:  Steward, Trice, McGee, and Roberts have been great in handling the ball, participating in the plays, and shooting to score.   

The season is under way, and the Stars really have come to play!  Follow them on the journey in person when possible, and on Facebook and Twitter the rest of the time.  

Siegel Nation...Are   You   Ready?

Shelbyville Paper Writes on the Game

http://www.t-g.com/story/1918317.html

3-pointers not enough for Eagles

Friday, November 30, 2012
By GARY JOHNSON ~ gjohnson@t-g.com

SHELBYVILLE -- Shelbyville Central's Golden Eagles canned seven 3-pointers but were outmatched in every other phase of the game in a 76-40 loss to visiting Siegel on Thursday night.
"We just played a very good basketball team," Central coach Stan Eggleston said. "I though we battled and played hard, but they are just very talented. Their size really caused us some problems as well."
Stars rally
Shelbyville started well and trailed 15-8 at the end of the first quarter, but the Stars rallied to outscore the Eagles 19-5 in the second stanza to hold a commanding 34-13 advantage at intermission.
The Eagles started the second half with a bang, outscoring Siegel 21-18 in the third quarter, and trailed 52-34 going into the fourth quarter.
Siegel turned it on in the fourth stanza and outscored Shelbyville 26-6 in the final period.
"I was pleased with the way we started the second half. We came out with a lot of energy and focus and shot the ball well in the third quarter," Eggleston.
Long shots
Both teams shot the ball well from beyond the 3-point arch with the Eagles connecting eight treys and the Stars cashing in on five.
Robert Brandon paced Siegel's offensive effort to lead all scorers with 24 points. Ryan Jones added 13 for the winners.
Shelbyville placed three players in double digits. Tyias Allison led the way with a dozen while Kendall Ray netted 11 and Sterling Smith 10.
Ray and Smith each had three treys apiece.
Better position
"We've just got to keep on working hard and do a much better job of getting good position under the basket to get more rebounds," Eggleston said.
Shelbyville hosts Lebanon in a non-district matchup Tuesday night at 8.

Siegel 15 19 18 24 -- 76
Shelbyville 8 5 21 6 -- 40
Siegel: Brandon 24, Jones 13, Gooch 8, Steward 8, Martin 5, D. Clark 5, McGee 4, Simpson 4, C. Clark 3, Trice 2.
Shelbyville: Tyias Allison 12, Ray 11, Smith 10, Wilkerson 5, Leslie 2.
3-point goals: Shelbyville (8): Ray 3, Smith 3, Tyias Allison 2; Siegel (5): Brandon 2, Steward 2, C. Clark 1.
Halftime score: Siegel 34, Shelbyville 13.

© Copyright 2012, Shelbyville Times-Gazette
Story URL: http://www.t-g.com/story/1918317.html

Siegel takes Tullahoma...

PREP BASKETBALL: Wildcats can’t match Stars’ firepower

Posted on Wednesday, November 14, 2012 at 1:57 pm

Tullahoma's Marquel Hickerson (left) tries to get around Siegel's Robert Brandon during the Wildcats' season-opener on Tuesday. Brandon poured in 28 points as the Stars won 76-48. (Photo by Robert Holman)

For a quarter, Tullahoma was able to keep pace with Siegel. Then the Stars took over and ran away from the Wildcats’ winning the 2012-13 season-opener 76-48.

Tullahoma led 19-16 at the end of the first period, but Siegel’s Ryan Jones scored 11 of his 14 points in the second quarter to help the Stars pull away. Siegel outscored Tullahoma 26-9 in the period and took a 42-28 lead to the lockerroom at the half.

The outcome was never in doubt after that and Siegel went on to hand first-year Tullahoma High School coach Tim Behrendorff his first loss.

The Wildcats got a 15-point effort from Marquel Hickerson and 10 points from Tyler Fishback, but it was hardly enough to Siegel’s Jones, Robert Brandon and Charles Clark.

The Stars’ trio combined for 57 points, with Brandon lighting up the THS scoreboard for 28. Brandon knocked down five of Siegel’s six 3-pointers and had 18 points by halftime. Clark added 15 points in the contest.