Brainerd Beats Whites Creek to Advance to State Title Game

(WDEF) – The Brainerd Panthers are returning to the state title game for the first time since 1992. The Panthers beat Whites Creek 66-62 in the state semifinals on Friday in Murfreesboro. Jesse Walker had a monster game for Brainerd with 23 points and 15 rebounds. Teammate Kentrell Evans added 20-points.

Brainerd trailed by five with just over four minutes to play before hitting just enough foul shots down the stretch to get the victory.

Panthers didn’t shoot the ball too well hitting only 35-percent of their shots, including just 2 of 13 three-pointers. But for the second game in-a-row, Brainerd collected 13 steals.

Whites Creek was led by 6’9 center Ruot Monyyong, who had 21 points and 11 rebounds.

Brainerd will face Knox Fulton for the Class AA title on Saturday at 7pm est in Murfreesboro.