Defending State Finalist Tatum Makes Statement With 69-46 District-Opening Win Over Henderson

TATUM -- Tatum reached the Class 2A state championship game a season ago, but many wondered how the school's move up to the new 4A would affect the Eagles' chance of getting there again this year.

The definitive answer to that question may not surface until the playoffs.

Tatum made a strong statement Tuesday night in its District 19-4A opener, blowing past Henderson, 69-46, at Eagle Coliseum.

Ten different Eagles (18-8, 1-0) players found the scoring column, as Tatum held a double-digit lead for most of the night.

Chaston Brooks led the way for Tatum with 12 points, three assists and four of the Eagles' 14 steals on the night. Martin Williams added 10 points and three rebounds, while Dacalen Hicks came off the bench to score 10 points and grab four boards.

Corey Lee and Kyshaun Smith had eight points and five rebounds apiece in the blowout win.

Tatum led 17-9 after one quarter, and built a 20-point lead -- 38-18 -- by halftime. A 9-0 run to begin the third pushed the advantage to 29 points, which was the largest of the game. Henderson (10-7, 1-1) trailed by at least 20 points the entire second half.

The Lions were led in defeat by La'Kendrick Vanzandt, who finished with 10 points and three rebounds. Tre Boone added eight points, two boards and two steals, while Chey Washington chipped in with six points and three rebounds.

Seven different Tatum players were responsible for the Eagles' 17 first-quarter points. Hot shooting from the 3-point line helped Tatum create separation in the second period, as four Eagles -- Williams, Smith, Hicks and Jaylon Booth -- knocked down 3's in the quarter.

Smith buried another 3, Brooks got a steal and a layup, and the Eagles went 4-of-6 from three-throw line in the first three minutes of the third quarter to push their lead to 47-18.

One of the biggest deciding factors Tuesday night was Tatum's 36-22 rebounding edge on Henderson, and the Eagles' pressure defense that paved the way for 14 steals.

Henderson is off Friday but returns to action next Tuesday at Carthage, while Tatum travels to Carthage this Friday night.

Tatum 69, Henderson 46

District 19-4A Boys Basketball
At Eagle Coliseum, Tatum

Henderson            9      9      9    19    --    46
Tatum                 17    21    12    19    --    69
HENDERSON (10-7, 1-1) -- La'Kendrick Vanzandt, 10; Tre Boone, 8; Chey Washington, 6; Tariq Gray, 5; Zane Boles, 4; Travis Hawkins, 4; Trestan Ebner, 3; Matthew Childress, 2; Kinny Harris, 2; Damian Murphy, 2.
TATUM (18-8, 1-0) -- Chaston Brooks, 12; Dacalen Hicks, 10; Martin Williams, 10; Corey Lee, 8; Kyshaun Smith, 8; Jaylon Booth, 7; KJ Boyd, 5; Jakolby Lee, 4; Stephen Marshall, 4; Jalan Horne, 1.
THREE-POINT GOALS -- Henderson: Boone, Ebner, Washington. Tatum: Smith (2), Booth, Hicks, Williams.