Sophomore Bryson Brooks had a red-hot hand Tuesday night, connecting for seven 3-pointers during the first half and a game-high 21 points to lead Middlesboro past Lynn Camp, 81-42 in the season-opener for the Yellow Jackets.
Freshman Jacob Tinnel added 15 points for Middlesboro, while junior Joseph Killion followed with 14 points, as Middlesboro led from start to finish in the lopsided victory.
Brooks ignited a fast start by the Yellow Jackets with an eye-popping five triples during the first eight minutes of the contest, helping stake the hosts to a 21-7 lead after one quarter.
“Bryson is a quiet kid, but he takes what he does seriously,” Middlesboro coach John Wheat said. “Over the summer, and so far this season he’s worked hard on his shot and if you leave him open, he’s most likely gonna make you pay.”
Brooks and senior DeAndre Lightfoot combined for three additional baskets from behind the arc during the second quarter, and Middlesboro led, 38-20 by halftime.
Tinnel and Killion paced the Yellow Jackets’ offense during a 28-point third quarter. Tinnel netted 10 points and Killion knocked down a pair of 3-point shots to stake Middlesboro to 66-34 lead heading into the final eight minutes of the contest.
“It was his first varsity game,” Wheat said about Tinnel. “He got into foul trouble in the first half, and then came out and played his game in the second half.
“Killion is the leading returning scorer from last year. He has a lot on his shoulders, because he has to score for us, as well, and get others involved. He does a lot of different things and the guys look up to him as a leader. And if you leave him open, he is also gonna make you pay.”
Tinnel connected on a 3-point shot during the quarter, while combining for nine points with Lightfoot down the stretch.
Brooks converted seven of his 11 attempts from behind the 3-point line (63.6 percent), and the Yellow Jackets shot 45.2 percent overall (33 for 73).
Garrison Warren and Tinnel collected eight and six rebounds, respectively to lead the Yellow Jackets in the battle of the boards. Middlesboro outrebounded Lynn Camp 38-24.
“I was also really happy with two players that really stood out in different ways, not necessarily on the scoring side, but with leadership and decision making,” Wheat added.
“(Junior) Mekhi Young did a great job of handling the basketball, and ended with one turnover at the point guard spot. He saw the floor well and had six or seven assists. Combined with his six points, that’s like a 20-point game.
“And (junior) Aiden Larew has a basketball IQ that is very high and guys sometimes call him ‘coach,’ because he will explain things at times when our coaches can’t, and he’s accurate on it. We all call him coach. He handled his first varsity start really well.”
Junior Elijah Mayo hit four 3-pointers and led Lynn Camp (0-2) with 16 points while junior Ethan Chafin chipped in eight points.
Lynn Camp converted 12 of its 30 floor shots (40 percent), including six 3-point shots on 10 tries.
Middlesboro travels to play Lakeway Christian Academy (White Pine, Tenn.) on Thursday. Lynn Camp hosts Whitley County Friday
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Middlesboro (81) — Bryson Brooks 21, Mehki Young 6, DeAndre Lightfoot 5, Joseph Killion 14, Bryson Heck 2, Jacob Tinnel 15, Sammy Lim 2, Aiden Larew 8, Garrison Warren 6.
Lynn Camp (42) — Elijah Mayo 16, Ethan Chafin 8, Caleb Wilburn 7, Donovan Allen 3, Jaydin Helton 3, Conner Mabe 2, Ethan Curry 2, Ethan Simpson 1.
Lynn Camp. 7 13 14 8 — 42
Middlesboro 21 17 28 15 — 81
