Whites Creek rolls into TSSAA basketball semifinals; one win from 1st final since 1989

MURFREESBORO - Whites Creek relied on a stifling defense to advance in the TSSAA boys basketball state tournament Thursday for the first time since 2017.

The Cobras held Hickman County to just two field goals in the first quarter and one in the third quarter in a 52-31 win in the Class 2A quarterfinals at Murphy Center.

Whites Creek (26-5) will play Douglass (34-0) in Friday's semifinals (4 p.m.) with hopes of earning a berth in the championship game for the first time since 1989.

It was the first appearance in the state tournament for Hickman County (22-10) in 41 years and it didn't take long to realize the Bulldogs would make an early exit after the way Whites Creek's defense shut them down from the start.

The Cobras, who pressed the Bulldogs the entire game, led 17-6 after the first quarter and 34-17 at the half. At one point in the first quarter Hickman County had seven turnovers and just two field goals.

"We had the right mindset today and never let up on defense," said Whites Creek sophomore guard Tyrone Robertson, who had three steals and no turnovers to go with his 11 points. "We've played games in the past where we've gotten a big lead, but by halftime it's a two point game. Our coach (Jeremiah Crutcher) kept us in line, kept us calm on the bench. When they got on a little run we had to stay focused and I think the press really added on to all that."

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That certainly proved to be the case in the third quarter when Whites Creek held Hickman County to just one field goal and four points. Midway through the fourth quarter the Cobras had their biggest lead at 52-24 before Crutcher started subbing out his starters and backups.

Whites Creek finished with 11 steals and forced Hickman County to commit 15 turnovers while shooting just 32% (11-of-37) from the field and going 0-for-9 on 3-point attempts.

"Defense is something we work on daily in practice; running those different schemes and just trying to get our guys to have that motor and just moving the right way," Crutcher said. "We stayed committed, went through our defensive principles with our help side and then we turned up that press and that press gets the guys going."

Hickman County rarely got going on offense. There was a spurt in the second quarter when the Bulldogs went on an 11-5 run, but at no point seriously challenged the Cobras.

"We knew it was coming, but it's really hard to simulate that type of quickness in practice," Hickman County coach Chris Dawson said. "Their defense gave us some trouble, but their offense also played really well. We knew it was going to be difficult to guard them with their quickness and their ability to attack the basket. We figured we had to give something up and we gave up contested 3-point shots and they made five of their first six."

Freshman Noah Hughes led Whites Creek with 13 points. Dylan Qualls was Hickman County's only double-figure scorer with 10 points.