Overton captures tourney for first time since 1994

Perhaps more motivated by disappointing history than by revenge, either way, Overton took charge of its own tournament Tuesday night.

The Bobcats turned back Lipscomb 58-52 in the championship game of the 16th annual Overton Christmas tournament, unwrapping a late present and showing that they are a team to be wary of in 2009.

Overton (9-4) won four games in four days (two Saturday), capped by the win over Lipscomb, and captured its own tournament title for the first time since the Chris Height-led Bobcats won in 1994.

It also avenged a 66-50 loss Nov. 26 at Lipscomb, which won comfortably without a huge chunk of its team, players who were still in the football playoffs.

“They beat us by 16 just a month ago without four of their starters,’’ noted Overton first-year coach James McKee. “And it really wasn’t that close, they were up 25 at one point.

“They have a great program over there. I think the difference was in our defense. We played with a lot of passion, and if we keep playing like that, we should be all right.’’

Balance was also a key. Russell Slagle, hero in the 46-44 win over Spring Hill scored 12, and 6-4½ post player Dezmond Johnson had 12 and 10 rebounds. Soph Mookie Betts added 10.

“It feels great to win our tournament for the first time since ’94,’’ said the muscular Johnson, who scored just two in the loss at Lipscomb. “I think we won with our defense. If we can keep playing like this, we can go a long way.’’

Lipscomb (7-3), which had a seven-game winning streak snapped, led 29-26 at the half in the rough, physical game and extended it to 34-26 early in the third quarter.

But Overton ran off eight straight points to tie it on Justin Perry’s two free throws. The game was tied three more times before Bobcats took the lead for good at 43-41 on Landon Starkey’s two free throws with 3:08 left.

Blake Bell led Lipscomb with 13 points, while Carter Sanderson and Evan Webb chipped in 10 and nine.

“It seemed like they wanted it just a little more than we did,’’ said Lipscomb coach Mike McPherson whose team has a tough matchup at Hillsboro Saturday.

“We played with a lot of passion in our wins over Hunters Lane and Houston. We talked about that before the game, I think played hard tonight, but not with enough heart.’’

• Lipscomb claimed the girls championship with a 49-40 win over host Overton, closing on a 9-2 run. Lindsey Keen and Kate Bridges scored 12 and eight for Lipscomb, which led just 40-38 with 1:10 left. Pam Honeysucker had 11 for Overton.

Ryan captures tourney: Tournament MVP Brendon Connelly scored 14 points, leading Father Ryan (10-4) to a 42-33 victory over Murfreesboro Oakland to win its own Ryan Christmas Invitational. Connelly scored 26 in a semis win over Stratford. Gerald Saltkill added 14 for Ryan, which limited Oakland to 27 percent shooting.