Last week, Parkers Chapel ended a four-year drought by qualifying for the regional tournament.
On Wednesday, the Trojans will look to reach the state tournament for the first time since 2019, but standing in their way is one of the state’s top players regardless of class.
Parkers Chapel (8-18), the 8-2A’s No. 4 seed, faces Murfreesboro (19-7), the 7-2A’s No. 1 seed, in the opening round of the 2A South Regional Tournament at Acorn.
Game time is set for 5:30 p.m.
Kade Caldwell, who has committed to Harding, leads a Rattlers team that shared the regular-season 7-2A crown with Dierks with 10-2 league records.
Murfreesboro has also been on a roll over the last month.
Since losing to Acorn on Jan. 12, the Rattlers have won nine of their last 10 games, which also included a seven-game winning streak.
Their lone loss was at Lafayette County on Feb. 6.
For Parkers Chapel coach Josh Langley, it starts with trying to slow down Caldwell.
“In my opinion, he is without a doubt their best player,” Langley said. “He can do it all. He has a good shot, can take you off the dribble and finish at the rim and can create his own shot. I think we are going to have to throw multiple defenses at him to try and keep him from getting in any sort of rhythm.”
Langley added that Murfreesboro can beat you in several ways.
“They have good post play inside and all of their guards are solid players,” Langley said. “I would say their biggest strength is that they can hurt you in multiple ways. If you focus on their guards and iso(late) the post, they can score it inside. If you help, all of their guards are capable of knocking down shots.
“I think Caden Dixon is their next best guard. He is very athletic and can shoot the ball as well. James Silva is going to be a handful inside.”
Langley said he feels the Trojans can use their size at guard to their advantage.
“I think we have a lot of size at guard that we need to try to take advantage of,” Langley said. “I think we have the more athletic team. We play in a very physical, athletic league, and I think that will be an advantage for us.”
The Trojans are in the regional tournament for the first time since 2020 after topping Ouachita 47-44 in the quarterfinals of the district tournament, and Langley said his team showed plenty of toughness in the win.
“I think our guys showed a lot of toughness in the Ouachita game,” Langley said. “We didn't necessarily play our best offensively, but we did a really good job defensively, and we made the plays when they mattered the most to get the win. Being in close games this year I think has prepared us to make better decisions in tight games.”
If the Trojans are to upend the Rattlers, Langley said his team can’t turn the ball over.
“Take care of the ball. If we value the ball and don’t turn it over, we have had success this year,” Langley said. “In games where we have not valued the ball is when we have really struggled. The second thing is we have to defend and keep them off the boards. The third thing is we have to know where Caldwell is at all times and make sure he doesn't get going.”