Shepard's overtime basket sends Bears to TMSAA semifinals

MURFREESBORO — Brandon Shepard's 15-foot basket following on offensive rebound at the overtime buzzer lifted Mt. Juliet Middle's boys to a 51-49 victory over E.O. Coffman on Monday in the TMSAA Midstate Sectional at Blackman Middle.
The teams were tied 42-42 going into overtime before the Golden Bears advanced to the semifinals with a 23-1 record. They will play at 6 p.m. Friday against the Blackman-Dickson winner. Walter J. Baird's boys will open play in the other half of the bracket on Wednesday against Murfreesboro Central. MJ's girls will open their tournament tonight at Christiana.
Caleb Chowbay fired in 15 points on five three-pointers for Mt. Juliet while Aaron Simms threw in 13, Corderius Burns nine, Vaughn Cornelia seven, Shepard four and Matt Hayes three.
James Richardson racked up for triples on his way to 24 points for the Lawrenceburg-based Panthers.
The teams were tied 10-10 following the first quarter before Coffman moved in front 19-15 at halftime and 28-26 through three periods.