Irish two wins from state repeat
KNOXVILLE — Knoxville Catholic High School’s boys basketball team will get a shot to defend its Division II-AA State Championship.
The Fighting Irish earned that chance by outlasting Chattanooga McCallie in a State VIII game Saturday, Feb. 27, at KCHS.
Catholic overcame an early deficit to beat the Blue Tornado 45-36. Though this was the Irish’s third victory over McCallie, it didn’t come easily. And longtime Irish head coach Mike Hutchens said he knew that it wouldn’t.
“McCallie’s style, more than anything, makes them tough to play,” Hutchens said.
The Blue Tornado (12-7) held Catholic (21-3) to just three field goals in the first half.
But the Irish would gain the upper hand in the second quarter, surrendering just four points in the frame.
B.J. Edwards, star junior guard, scored a game-high 18 points to lead the Irish while Yesan Warren and Presley Patterson had eight points each.
“It feels great to be going back to state but we know we have to play our best because we know that we’re going to have a target on our backs since we won it last year,” Blue Cain, sophomore guard, said.
