By Thomas Sellers Jr.
MEMPHIS — The Tipton-Rosemark Academy Rebels hit the hardwood for the first time in 2021-22 Friday night at the Kingsbury Gymnasium.
With just a couple of weeks to build chemistry and learn Head Coach Cedric Anderson’s methods, it was time for the Rebels to play under the lights against the Falcons. But it was something as simple as hitting the boards that doomed the Rebels against Kingsbury.
The Falcons withstood a TRA comeback and held off the Rebels for a 75-65 victory.
“Youth showed up big time,” Anderson acknowledged. “The lack of strength showed up in the first half. It was 18 rebounds to our 8 rebounds. Of the 8 rebounds for us, Tyler Byrd had 6 of the 8.
“We only had two rebounds,” he added. “We’ve got to have guys box out. Rebounding is fundamental. It’s about position and toughness at this level. They’re not a large team.”
Rebel senior standout Tyler Byrd scored all 11 points for TRA in the opening period. But the Falcons hit a few second-chance shots to take a 19-11.
Kingsburg exploded for seven quick points to start the second quarter and build the advantage to 26-11. The Falcons managed to keep the lead in double figures until Byrd made a pair of foul shots to make the tally 33-24.
Then Kingsbury closed out the first half on a 6-2 run to lead 39-26. Then TRA blitzed the Falcons with pressure defense. The Rebels outscored the Falcons 18-9 to make the score 48-44 in favor of Kingsbury.
The basket that made the deficit four points was a Byrd Michael-Jordanist reverse layup. But once again the Falcons went on a run outscoring TRA 5-1 to maintain a 53-45 advantage heading into the fourth.
In the fourth quarter, TRA would serge and cut into the deficit. And the Falcons would have an answer. TRA cut the lead to 6 points and later to 2 points when Byrd hit a jumper to make the score 64-62. For one last time Kingsbury put together a rally. The Falcons proceeded with a 11-3 run to close out the game. Byrd had 45 points in the deficit.
