The Middle School boys basketball team ended the season with a 4-9 record. Despite their losing record, the Tigers had many high points during the course of the season and at times played excellent basketball. Leading the way was eighth-grader Greg Phillips, all-around great player on the court for this year's team. Phillips led the team in virtually every statistical category, despite having to face defenses designed specifically to stop him.
A big win for the Tigers was a home game against Coosa Middle School, which the Tigers won 35-34. Stepping up with a huge game was eighth-grader Bennett Brock, who scored eight of his twelve points in the fourth quarter to lead the Tigers to their second win of the season. Also contributing in that game were Ben McAbee with six points, and Collin Niblett and Ford Riddle with five points each.
The Tigers played possibly their best overall game of the year when they beat Model Middle School 36-28 and collected their third win of the year. The star for the Tigers was again Phillips, as he knocked in 23 points despite being double-teamed most of the second half. Collin Doss and McAbee proved big on the boards, each collecting nine rebounds.
After dropping their next three games, the Tigers bounced back with a home win against Armuchee. The final score was 33-29. Phillips scored a team high 12 points, but many other Tigers contributed with strong playing. Elliot Harrison and McAbee both added six points apiece. Chris Lopez scored four points and grabbed many important rebounds in the win. Doss played an excellent game defensively, providing a strong presence under the basket in the 2-3 zone. The Tigers were up by three points with under ten seconds to play when McAbee sealed the win by nailing an important free throw that put the game out of reach and assured the victory for the Tigers.
The Tigers lost their last game of the season in the single elimination season-ending tournament to Model Middle School, 61-44. After a lethargic first half in which the Tigers fell behind 26-11, a strong second-half effort fell short in the end. After cutting into the deficit with strong full court pressure, and getting a big three pointer from Davis Byars and a quick lay-up from Tristan Griffin, the Tigers only trailed 50-44 with a few minutes to play. But Model's solid free throw shooting pushed the lead back up and the Tigers could not recover. Phillips dropped in 16 points for the game, while Ryan Naegel stepped up with 13 points. Naegel hit 3 three-point goals in the game. Collin Niblett added his usual great defensive effort and also hit for four points.
Seventh graders Steve Chumbler, Ben McAbee and Ford Riddle will return to lead next year's team.
