L.C. Bird, flies past J.R. Tucker behind 22 points from Uzochukwu in region semis

The senior guard had a game-high 22 points as the Skyhawks (20-4) beat two-seed J.R. Tucker 62-35 in the Region 5C semifinals.

Senior Dennel Douglas hit a 3 to put the Tigers (19-5) up 8-7. It was the last time Tucker led.

L.C. Bird went on a run and led 19-10 after the first quarter.

When asked what the key to the run was, Skyhawks senior Tyrese Williams said, "Our energy."

"There were times where we got down, but we stood together and kept our energy," Williams said.

The difference was offensive rebounds and turnovers. Even when Bird missed, it often had another chance to put up a shot. And even when Tucker got the board, the guards struggled to get the ball over mid-court.

"When people talk about L.C. Bird, (the press) is the first thing everyone talks about," Bird coach Troy Manns said.

"We're going to play full court. We're going to run. We're going to trap. Tonight was no different. We play with a high level of intensity and when we do, we usually have a positive outcome."

The Tigers tried to gain momentum to start the second quarter, but as soon as they drilled a 3, it was immediately responded to with a 3 from Uzochukwu.

Not long after, Shamir Williams banged home a 3 to extend the Bird lead to 11 and Tucker called a timeout.

Every time Tucker tried to claw back into the contest, the Skyhawks had an answer.

Dennel Douglas and Deon Douglas scored to cut the deficit to 24-17, only for Shamir Williams to drill a 3 for the Skyhawks.

A frustrated Tucker squad trailed Bird 34-21 at the half.

The Skyhawks drilled a 3 to the start the third quarter as the Tigers only scored four points in the period to trail 50-25.

Bird rode out the commanding lead to a 62-35 victory.

In addition to Uzochukwu's big night, Daron Moore had 11 points and Rahjeem Moore had seven.

Jaylon Tyler and Shamir Williams each added five points for the Skyhawks.

Williams is no stranger to the L.C. Bird program after watching his older brothers, Tahkey and Tyrek play for the Skyhawks.

"It means a lot," Tyrese said.

"I used to follow their footsteps when I was little. I was always in the gym for practice and stuff."

The Skyhawks have a lot of talent and six experienced seniors, but the gameplan is all about finding mismatches.

"It doesn't matter when you're trying to win the game," Manns said.

"Our guys are learning (how) to be unselfish and when you play unselfishly, good things come to your team."

The motto surely worked for the Skyhawks, who have now won nine straight since losing back-to-back to Manchester and Albemarle.

"We challenge ourselves so that at this point of the season we're playing our best basketball," Manns said.

"Sometimes when you win a lot of games you get a false sense of security."

Bird will have to play on the road again, but that's no concern.

"It doesn't matter," Manns said.

"We're just worried about the next game. We won the region championship last year. We're still the region champions. We want to defend our championship."

The Skyhawks next challenge will come against top-seed Albemarle.

"Our goal at Bird is always the same," Manns said.

"We want to win our last game of the year. That means a state championship."

Williams added: "Win the (state championship). That's my only goal."

As for the Tigers, their remarkable turnaround season won't be forgotten.

"I said in the summer with the group we had coming back (that) we could be special if we buy in," Tucker coach Adam Desgain said.

"This group has bought in. It's a testament to the kids."

Dennel Douglas had a team-high 13 points. Deon Douglas and Jayden Bland had nine points. Jaylen Hister added five points.

Bland and Hister are both seniors and have seen the worst at Tucker, including an 0-24 season two years ago.

"To turn it around last year and get a handful of wins to this year going 19-5, it means everything to them," Desgain said.

"It doesn't have anything do with the coaching staff. It's all about them. I just try to give them the answers. They have to go out and take the test."