Congratulations to Coach Elliott Dent and the varsity lacrosse team, winners of the 2008 TSLA Division I state title.
The Owls defeated host MBA in the semifinals last Saturday, 13-10, to advance to the title game the next day.
In the championship match the next day, MUS easily handled McCallie, 12-6, to capture the school's sixth state title.
Once again, congratulations to the team and coaching staff on this excellent accomplishment.
Coming into this season, the 2007-08 varsity basketball team faced something that no other basketball team at MUS had ever faced: defending a state championship. But though Coach Jerry Peters and the team knew that this task would be difficult because of the graduation of seven seniors from last-year’s squad and a very competitive region, they were eager for the challenge.
The year began very well as the Owls started 4-0, including wins over local teams Catholic, Collierville, and Kingsbury. MUS had also claimed a victory at Pope John Paul II in its annual two-game series against Middle-Tennessee teams before falling the next day at Father Ryan.
Upon returning from Nashville, the Owls seemed to learn from their loss as they played very well headed into Christmas break as they won their next four games, defeating city schools Melrose and East and county schools Houston and Bolton to end the first semester at 8-1.
By this time in the year, MUS had developed good chemistry between its seniors and its underclassmen.
Senior captains and starters Kevin Gray and Ross Montague led the team as they played hard and displayed good leadership. Montague, the starting center, led the team in rebounding and blocked shots as he provided a presence inside but also shot well from the perimeter. Gray averaged over seven points per game and was very hard to guard off the dribble.
The Owls’ other three starters were juniors who brought talent and experience, having played important roles in last-year’s successes.
Jordan Brown, Robert Counce, and Taylor Reed started every game this year and brought toughness and skill as they led the team in most statistical categories. Brown, the team’s point guard, led the squad in assists and did very well handling the basketball against pressure defenses. Counce led the team in scoring, averaging over thirteen points per game, and steals. And Reed served as the most versatile player on the team. He was one of the best defenders on the squad, averaged over ten points per game, and grabbed over five rebounds per game.
MUS also had a good balance of seniors and underclassmen coming off the bench to provide depth. Seniors Parker Joyner, Teddy Klug, Nick Nash, Ben Pelz, and Will Pryor; juniors Will Benton, Dylan Cunningham, and Virgil Deanes; and sophomore Barry Brunetti all served important roles on the team.
Following Christmas, the Owls once again traveled north for its annual visit to Carbondale, Illinois, and the Carbondale Holiday Tournament. Against very talented competition from several states, MUS went 1-2, defeating East Peoria (IL) handily before falling to Gateway Tech from St. Louis and Oveido (FL).
Once back in Memphis, the team started the new year well as they handled Arlington, 55-46, to improve to 10-3. But in its final game before region play started, MUS lost in a close game to traditional rival Harding, which ultimately won the Division-II A state championship.
Yet the Owls put aside that loss to win its next three, including two region games. Victories against St. Benedict and ECS in the region and a tough win over Tipton-Rosemark, the eventual runner-up in the Division-II A title game, moved MUS to 13-4, 2-0.
The Owls would face two of the best teams in the state in their next two games, and though they played hard and were competitive, they fell in both as Briarcrest and CBHS defeated MUS. However, the loss to the Saints later turned into a win as Briarcrest had to forfeit the game because of a rule violation, improving the record to 14-5, 3-1.
After the CBHS loss, MUS once again bounced back to win its next three, again defeating St. Benedict and ECS in the region as well as taking the rematch of last-year’s state-title game, handing St. George’s only its second loss of the year.
Yet the Owls would drop two of their final three regular-season games, having fallen to Briarcrest and CBHS before winning at Cordova, 60-56, to close out the regular season at 18-7, 5-3 in the region.
With their 5-3 region record, MUS earned the third seed in the region tournament, held at ECS, and would take on CBHS, the second seed. The game started well as the Owls stayed close early, but the Purple Wave took control in the second quarter and led by six at the half, 28-22. Though MUS continued to battle and actually trailed by only two points early in the fourth quarter, CBHS never succumbed and ultimately won, sending the Owls to the consolation game.
The opponent in the consolation game was the home team, ECS, a squad MUS had defeated in both regular-season games.
Down by three at the half, the Owls played better and had a lead in the fourth quarter; unfortunately, they could not maintain the advantage as ECS hit their free throws to take the 53-49 win and end the MUS season at 18-9.
Though Coach Peters, Coach Matt Bakke, and Coach Mark Counce will miss their seven seniors, they look forward to the returning players who gained valuable experience this season. With the physical-development program starting after Spring Break and a busy summer-schedule planned, the Owls eagerly anticipate the start of its 2008-09 season.
This past week, the varsity basketball team entered its postseason as it was the three-seed in the Division II AA West Region tournament, held at ECS.
As the third seed, MUS opened the semifinal round with a contest against the second-seeded CBHS Purple Wave, which had defeated the Owls twice during the regular season.
In the first half the Owls shot only 39.1% from the field while Christian Brothers shot nearly 46% and were 8-10 from the free-throw line. These slight edges gave CBHS a 28-22 lead at the half.
The second half was almost identical to the first as MUS again shot 39.1% from the field, and CBHS outscored MUS, 28-22.
Though CBHS shot better from the field in the second half, 53%, the Owls stayed in the game and actually trailed only by two points early in the fourth quarter, 39-37. But the Wave ended the game on a 17-7 run as they outrebounded the Owls, 32-21, to take the 56-44 win and advance to the finals.
Robert Counce was the MUS high-point man with 17, and he added 9 rebounds. But CBHS was very balanced as they had five players with at least 6 points.
Despite the loss, MUS could still advance to the sub-state round with a win over ECS last Friday in the consolation game as the Owls were looking to defeat the Eagles for the fourth consecutive time, including in both regular-season games.
This one was very close throughout as the teams exchanged the lead eleven times.
At the end of the first quarter, MUS had several opportunities to have the advantage but allowed the Eagles to tie the game at 12.
And despite shooting only 26.7% from the floor in the half, the Owls found themselves down only three at the break as ECS also wasted opportunities to extend the lead.
The game remained close throughout in the second half, and a Counce basket allowed MUS to retake the lead at 38-37 early in the fourth quarter. However, after the basket, the Eagles went on a 6-0 run, and MUS would not lead again. ECS hit four free-throws in the final 22 seconds to take the 53-49 victory.
The Owls had three players finish in double digits, led by Counce's 15 points. Jordan Brown added 13, and Taylor Reed tacked on 12.
With the loss, MUS' season ends at 18-9 overall. The team will look to replace seven seniors but will rely on three returning starters.
The 2007-08 varsity wrestling season ended this past weekend in Chattanooga as the team competed in the Division II State Individual Tournament, held at the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga.
Last Thursday, February 14, Coach Shaun Gehres and thirteen wrestlers traveled to Chattanooga to participate.
Overall, ten of the thirteen Owls won at least one match, and two Owls, Sam Goldstein and Nathaniel Kastan, medaled, finishing in the top six.
As a team, MUS finished eighth.
Nine wrestlers advanced to the consolation quarterfinals, just one round away from reaching all-state status. Those wrestlers included Phillip Russell (125), Barret Folk (130), Andrew Maroda (135), John Battle (140), William Alexander (145), Goldstein (152), William McGehee (160), Kastan (171), and Barrett Huggins (215). Though each put forth good effort, only two student-athletes medaled as Goldstein finished fifth and Kastan fourth.
Coach Gehres was pleased with his team's performance.
"I thought it was a solid ending to a successful season."
This tournament concludes a year that saw MUS win an individual and a dual tournament and finish 12-6 overall.
Though the squad will miss its five seniors next season, it will welcome back nine returning starters as they look to better this-year's performance.
MUS Baseball began preseason practices Monday, February 11, in preparation for the 2008 season that opens March 13 against White Station High School at 7:00 p.m. in the Metro Invitational Tournament.
Head Coach Marc MacMillan ‘92 is excited about the start of preseason practice.
“This time of year brings great anticipation and excitement as both coaches and players are ready for the start of the preseason. The players have put their time in physical development improving their overall strength and athleticism, and it’s time to get on the field.”
The Diamond Owls graduated seven seniors from 2007, so this-year’s roster fields a much younger squad. With such youth, preseason becomes an important time for the Diamond Owls.
“With only two seniors, this is our youngest ball club since 2001 despite the fact that we have ten more players participating than our ’01 squad. Therefore, the preseason is very important due to both our youth and the fact that we return only three players who started every game last year, “ explains Coach MacMillan.
“The coaching staff and I must use this time to continue to evaluate each player in order to determine varsity and JV rosters, so we anticipate a highly competitive spirit in our practices as we look to fill positions.”
The Diamond Owls preseason and regular-season schedules are available on the MUS Baseball website.
Last Friday night, the varsity basketball team played its final game of the regular season as they traveled to Cordova to take on the Wolves.
Even though both teams shot well from the floor in the first half, MUS went into the half up nine as they shot the ball well from the free-throw line, going 11 for 13.
In the second half, the Wolves rallied and actually led by five points with 4:00 minutes left in the game.
But MUS answered with a 13-4 run of their own in the last 4 minutes to clinch the 60-56 victory.
Robert Counce had a double-double with 18 points and 10 rebounds. Ross Montague added 12 points and Taylor Reed 10 points.
The Owls end the regular season with at 18-7, 5-3 in the region.
This week is the region tournament. MUS earned the 3-seed and will face CBHS Wednesday night at ECS at 7:30 in the semifinals.
The varsity wrestling team recently participated in the Division II State Duals Tournament for the eighth consecutive year as they traveled to Father Ryan High School in Nashville last weekend, February 1-2.
In the first round, the Owls took on the host school, Father Ryan. Though MUS lost, 61-10, several wrestlers performed well.
Senior Sam Goldstein won by major decision in the 152-pound class, and fellow senior William McGehee pinned his opponent in the 160-pound class.
With the loss, MUS fell into the consolation bracket and faced traditional power McCallie.
The Owls were much more competitive in this round as six wrestlers won matches.
In addition to victories by Goldstein and McGehee, Nathaniel Kastan (171), Andrew Amos (189), and Barrett Huggins (215) all pinned their opponents, and Bo Hale (285) won his match by forfeit.
Unfortunately, even with these victories, MUS fell to the Blue Tornado, 48-36.
Other Owls who wrestled at state included William Reid (103), Phillip Russell (125), Marcus Livesay (130), Andrew Maroda (135), and John Battle (140).
Coach Shaun Gehres and the team now look to the state individuals, to be held in Chattanooga this coming weekend, February 15-16.
The varsity basketball team completed its region season last evening as they battled rival and state-ranked Christian Brothers.
Despite 17 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 steals from junior guard Taylor Reed, the Owls did not have enough as they succumbed to the talented Purple Wave, 65-53.
CBHS started the game shooting very well from the perimeter, and they never really cooled down.
The Wave scored 21 points in the first quarter as they went 8-13 from the floor, including 4-7 from the three-point line, to take the early 21-9 lead.
The Owls tried to keep up but failed to get key stops as CBHS ended the first half shooting 60% from the field, including a proficient 8-14 from the three-point line, as they took a 39-20 halftime advantage.
In the second half, MUS tried to get back into the game as they started the half on an 8-2 run, but CBHS quickly regained momentum and seized control.
The closest the Owls could get in the second half was a 10-point deficit in the final minute as the Wave held on.
CBHS ended up shooting over 53% from the floor as six players scored at least 8 points. They also outrebounded MUS, 33-20, as they were never threatened.
With the win, CBHS improves to 22-5, 5-2. The Owls fall to 17-7, 5-3.
Before the region tournament starts, MUS has one final non-conference game, at Cordova. Tipoff Friday night is set for 7:30 p.m.
The first Wednesday of February has become a national holiday for football fans as high-school seniors sign letters-of-intent to play college football.
At MUS, four student-athletes celebrated this day as they committed to play college football at some very prestigious universities.
DeAndre Jones signed to play at Vanderbilt University, where he will join former teammate John Stokes in the linebacking corps for the Commodores.
Chris Taylor signed his letter to play at Austin Peay State University where he plans on playing in the secondary for the Governors.
Barrett Huggins committed to play at Rhodes College, joining a long line of Owls to play for the Lynx. He played on the defensive line at MUS.
And Luke Wynn committed to become a deep snapper at Furman University in South Carolina.
To read Coach Alston's comments about these players' signing, click here.
Congratulations to these four young men and their families for these outstanding accomplishments.
This past week the varsity basketball team played their final home games of the season as they battled ECS last Tuesday and the Briarcrest Saints last Friday.
Against ECS, the first half was a low-scoring, defensive affair as both teams shot under 50% from the field (MUS 41% and ECS 44%). The Owls went into the half with a 20-17 lead.
The second half was also very close, the Eagles actually outscoring the Owls by two.
ECS held a five-point lead with 5:53 left in the game, but the Owls went on a 9-1 run and led by three with twelve seconds left. After a missed three-point attempt from Jonathan Milewski, the Eagles were able to get the ball back and drew a foul on a three-point attempt with 0.9 seconds left. After Milewski had hit his first two foul shots, he missed the third, and the Owls hung on to the 45-44 victory.
Taylor Reed was the MUS high-point man with 16. Ross Montague also added 7 points and 8 rebounds.
Then Friday night against the state-ranked Saints, the Owls played very well in the first half as they shot 53% from the floor and held the Saints to only 41%, including 14% from the three-point line. MUS held a 26-24 lead at the half.
However, Briarcrest took the lead in the third quarter by going on an 18-7 run, eventually stretching that lead to 14 with only 4:28 left in the game.
But MUS rallied back, cutting the Saint advantage to 5 with 1:47 left, but they would get no closer as BCS took the 51-46 victory.
Reed once again led the Owls with 10 points and 5 rebounds, and Robert Counce added 10 points and 8 rebounds.
With the loss, MUS falls to 16-7 overall, 4-3 in the region.
The Owls wrap up district play this Tuesday night at CBHS. Tipoff is set for 7:30 p.m.
