Bees, York Square Off In District Championship Rematch

The Upperman Bees and York Institute Dragons have each clinched a spot in the Substate Sectionals, but they will square off once again in the Region Championship on Friday at 7:30 P.M.

When these two last met, it was the Bees who took home a 70-47 win in the District 8AA Championship. Though the score would tell you it was a blowout, this game was actually very close for a majority of its run-time.

Riley Cooper made three three-pointers for the Dragons in the opening frame to keep them within three points of the lead early, but it was the defense and depth for the Bees that allowed them to spread the lead out in the second half and ultimately cruise to the finish line.

For the Dragons to pull off the upset tonight, it will come down to their poise in half-court sets. The Bees thrive on creating turnovers and getting out in transition and if York tries to play that game with them, it could be another repeat of the District Championship meeting.

Cooper was mentioned earlier, and he will be key in this one as well. He put up 16 points in the previous meeting, and they will likely need more of that to pull off a win here. Roger Meadows and Noah Smith will need to put up big games as well.

It’s pretty simple for the Bees: use your depth. Jaxon Fox has been a huge contributor off the pine all season and tonight will be no different, expectation-wise. If he comes in and makes his first couple shots, the Bees can begin planning for Tyner at home in the Sectional round.

The Bees also have more motivation than ever to win this game. After the F-3 tornado struck through the community, the emotions and motivation will be there for them to take the Region Championship home to Baxter.

It all gets started tonight at the Eblen Center on Tennessee Tech’s campus at 7:30 P.M.