Southside boys take home championship in Murfreesboro

MURFREESBORO — The Saints of Southside took home the James C. Haile Tournament championship trophy Saturday with a 60-56 overtime win over the Waynesboro Wildcats.
Aaron Simonis fired in nine of his team high 24 points in the overtime period to lift the Saints to victory.
"We have great leadership on this team," coach Mike Pressley said.
Control of tempo shifted between the two squads throughout the early going, and the first period ended with the teams knotted at 17.
Southside maintained the lead through the second and third quarters and had a 38-31 lead at the start of the final period.
"We played probably as good as we could play," Pressley noted. "They worked real hard."
Simonis sank a jump shot with 38 seconds to go in the fourth to send the game into extra time.
"We had great support from the community," Pressley said. "It was loud and it was great."
Nathan Corn knocked in 17 points for the Saints, Case Sloan added 10 points, Devin Fish put in seven and Clint Martin a free throw. Simonis, Sloan and Fish were rewarded with All Tournament honors.
Southside travels to Springfield Friday to take on Livingston in the quarterfinals of the TNT tournament.
Staff Writer Kimberly Jordan can be reached at 444-3952 ext. 44 or by e-mail at kimberly.jordan@lebanondemocrat.com.