ROSWELL -- Blessed Trinity used a huge fourth quarter to pull away for an 81-48 win over Chestatee Friday night in the first round of the Class AAA boys state basketball playoffs.
Chestatee had pulled to within 37-30 midway through the third quarter but the Titans (27-3) used a 10-2 run to end the quarter and then exploded with 34 points in the final eight minutes while holding the War Eagles (22-8) to just 16 points.
"It just kind of got away from us in the fourth quarter," Chestatee coach Russ Triaga said. "They are a very good team and we missed some shots and they came down and hit several 3-pointers in a row and got a big lead quick. But I thought we competed the entire game. It was a great atmosphere for high school basketball."
The loss marked the end of the stellar career of Parker Smith, who finished with 2,038 points after scoring just seven against Blessed Trinity.
"He didn't have a great shooting night but we will not see another 2,000-point scorer around here for a while," Triaga said. "I wish he could've gotten a few more games but he will definitely be missed (at Chestatee). He helped put the program on the map and is just one of the nicest kids I have ever coached."
Sophomores Lamar Brooks and Brandon Jovaag led Chestatee with 13 points apiece and Triaga said he feels the future is bright for the War Eagles, who set a new school mark for wins in a season this year.
"We have a good foundation set here and I think next year's team could be even better," he said.
Friday
November 15th, 2024
9:28PM
