Tigers rally from early deficit to advance in region tourney and secure state playoff berth

T.J. Printup, Jr. scored 36 points including the game winner as Adairsville earned a state tournament berth and advanced to the Region 6-AAA semifinals.

Adairsville’s T.J. Printup, Jr. scored 36 points including the game winning free throw to complete a four-point play in leading the Tigers over Murray County Thursday night in the Region 6-AAA quarterfinals, 55-54. Down by three points, Printup sank a last second heave for a 3-pointer and was fouled on the play. He then successfully sank the ensuing free throw to lift the Tigers to a one-point win. (video below)

In action at LaFayette High School, Murray County raced out of the gate to take a 23-7 lead by the end of the first quarter, but Adairsville chipped away the rest of the way. The Tigers narrowed their deficit to 33-25 by halftime and only trailed 44-43 heading into the final period. In addition to Printup’s performance, Tre Winters scored six points for Adairsville. Kavi Harris and Tre Mitchell contributed five points each and Hayden Poarch added three. Carson Weaver led Murray County with 16 points. Tad Stone followed with 15 and Landon Bennett added 12 points for the Indians who had their season end with a 13-13 record.

Adairsville (15-10) not only advanced to the Region 6-AAA semifinals Friday afternoon at 4:30 p.m. against No. 2-seed Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe (21-2), but the Tigers also secured a berth in the Class AAA state tournament that begins next Wednesday. The other boys semifinal Friday will feature top-seeded host LaFayette (23-0) against No. 9-seeded Ringgold (10-18) at 8:30 p.m. Ringgold has region tournament wins over Sonoraville, Coahulla Creek, and Rockmart to reach the semifinals. The third place and championship games will also be at LaFayette Saturday. The third place game is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. with the region championship game set for an 8:30 p.m. tip.