Woodland, West Side Boys Reach County Tourney Title Game

Courtland Ryan has been a steady contributor to West Side's basketball success all season, but his late heroics against Auburn is a big reason the No. 2 seeded Eagles earned a berth in the 2012 Cannon County Grammar School Tournament Championship game.

Ryan scored seven of his 11 points in the fourth quarter and overtime, including all three points in the extra frame, as West Side came from behind to beat defending champion Auburn, 36-35, in semifinal action at Cannon County High School Thursday (Jan. 26).

Ryan and Collin Anderson led West Side with 11 points each, and Tucker Francis and Tristan Choate each scored six. Shooting specialist Briar Jakes scored a game-high 14 points to lead Auburn. Tommy Melton finished with five, while Johnny Kennedy and Dalton Gaither finished with four each.

Auburn jumped out to a 10-5 start to set the tone, but Anderson connected on back-to-back 3-pointers to jumpstart tthe Eagles in the second quarter. West Side was 6-of-9 from the field during a key second quarter that saw it outscore Auburn 14-7 to take a 19-17 lead into the half.

West Side stretched its lead to 27-24 by the end of the third quarter but Auburn had more fight left.

Hoping to make a return trip to the title game, Auburn put together a strong fourth quarter. Jakes scored five of the team's nine points and delivered the clutch 3-pointer late that forced the overtime.

Auburn was unable to complete the comeback as Ryan flexed his muscle in overtime. Ryan also added seven rebounds in the win, which put West Side in the championship game against Woodland.

WOODLAND 57
EAST SIDE 22
Undefeated and top-seeded Woodland rolled to a 57-22 win against East Side in the semifinals of the Cannon County Grammar School Tournament at CCHS Thursday (Jan. 26).

The inside tandem of Austin Martin and Bo Bryson combined for 33 of Woodland's 57 points. The 6-foot-4 Martin led all scorers with 19 points on 8-of-15 shooting and also showed his range by connecting on 3-of-6 3-pointers. He also pulled seven rebounds.

Bryson scored 14 points on 7-of-9 shooting to go with a game-high eight rebounds and a blocked shot. Jared Judkins finished with six points on 3-of-4 shooting and Austin Spry also tallied six points.

The Warriors were 24-of-40 (60 percent) from the field.

East Side was just 10-of-29 from the field. The Tigers were led by Graden Strang's 11 points. Austin Brock added nine points.

Woodland wasted little time establishing itself. The Warriors jumped out to a 17-4 lead after the first quarter and led 35-10 at the half.

FIRST ROUND
EAST SIDE 31
WOODBURY 29
Austin Brock scored a game-high 14 points and Graden Strang added 11 as East Side held off Woodbury, 31-29, in the first round of the Cannon County Grammar School Tournament at CCHS Monday (Jan. 23).

Tyler Giller led Woodbury with 10 points, followed by Chandler Todd with six points and Peyton Rudisill with five.

Woodbury led 16-11 at the half and had ideas of upset and reaching the semis, but East Side put together a strong second half and slipped past the Cubs. Strang had a game-high seven rebounds.

AUBURN 48
SHORT MTN. 13
Briar Jakes and Auburn got off to a red-hot start and rolled to a 48-13 win against Short Mountain.

Jakes hit all five of his first-quarter shots and six straight overall before finally missing one. He finished with 15 points in limited action and also had four rebounds. Tyler King also reached double figures with 10 points on 5-of-6 shooting.

Austin Duggin (5), Brendon Cox (4) and Dalton Gaither (4) also got into the early scoring blitz. Wesley Cunningham led Short Mountain with five points. Evan Kellerman and Jeremy Litchford each scored three.

Auburn led 21-2 after the first quarter and kicked it into cruise control from there.