Title Run Ends in Quarterfinals

The hope for fourth state championship for Bolivar and the first for first-year coach Cameron Crisp came to an end on March 15 as the Tigers fell 66-59 to Tyner Academy.

“I’m proud of these guys,” said Crisp. “We fell short today but we weren’t supposed to be here.”

A defense that caused 24 turnovers while only committing five on offense couldn’t make up for a 30% shooting night, including going 6-26 from the three-point line. Jamarion Anderson led the Tigers with 25.

The Tigers got off to a slow start, hitting only 27% in the first quarter and trailed 20-13. A furious comeback saw them take a one-point lead late in the quarter before surrendering it to trail 34-32 at the half.

The third quarter got off to another slow start, as Bolivar again hit only 4-15 shots. Tyner led by 14 with 5:31 left, but Bolivar closed the gap in the waning moments only to fail on two straight possessions with the chance to get it to a three-point margin. Bolivar shot only 24% in the final quarter, including going 1-10 from three-point range.

Bolivar was outrebounded 50-36 by the bigger Tyner squad.

Anderson, a junior who led the team in scoring with 18.7 points per game, now has 560 in his career.