Mavs will take on Scott High in first round of postseason

February 15, 2023 by Ken Lay

The season has been filled with peaks and valleys for Anderson County High School bsketball.

But the Mavericks closed out the 2022-23 campaign with a 65-51 victory over Maryville Christian Monday night at home. Brandon Dake had 15 points and Tate Russell had 11.

“It’s been a rollercoaster ride,” ACHS Coach Jordan Jeffers said.

The Mavs’ 14-14 record would certainly indicate that’s the case.

But they’re heading in to this week’s District 4-AAA tournament on a high as they’ve won their final two regular-season games and three of their last four contests. ACHS struggled early, then reeled off seven consecutive wins and followed that streak up with five consecutive losses.

“We had a stretch in the middle of the season where we won 10 out of 12, and then we lost five in a row,” Jeffers said. “I feel like you want to be playing your best basketball.

“I don’t think we’re playing our best basketball, but we’re playing better. We’ve been playing better over the last couple of weeks.”

The Mavericks open tournament play Thursday at Clinton High as they take on Scott at the Don W. Lockard Gymnasium at 7:30 p.m.

The No. 2 Highlanders swept the season series against ACHS, which is the third seed.

The Mavs, who honored senior Tate Russell before Monday’s game against the Eagles, have been tested this season.

Jeffers said that has prepared his young squad for tournament play.

“We’ve been in a lot of close games,” Jeffers said. “We’ve won close games and we’ve lost close games.

“We’ve lost games on last-second shots and we’ve had chances to win late. Being in close games will serve us well moving forward. But teams who win, win. If you find a way to win in the regular season, then you’ll find ways to win in the tournament.”