Call 12: Justin Ray comes through for Eastside in Smoky Mountain Classic title game

Justin Ray scored 33 points in the Smoky Mountain Classic championship game as Eastside downed Archbishop Shaw (LA) 65-57 to claim the tournament title.

Eastside’s Justin Ray committed to Monmouth University on Dec. 16. He cited the care shown by coaches and staff at Monmouth as his reason for choosing to play basketball collegiately for the Hawks.

So naturally, when Monmouth assistant coach Brian Reese went the extra mile and made the trip from New Jersey to Gatlinburg, Tenn. — to watch Ray’s Eagles play in the Smoky Mountain Christmas Classic championship — Ray knew he wanted to show out.

Done and done.

With 33 points, Ray led the Eagles to a 65-57 championship win over Archbishop Shaw, one of Louisiana’s highest-ranked teams.

With the game tied at 43 headed into the fourth quarter, Ray scored 16 of his 33 points in the final frame.

“I work really hard, and I know that’s my role with this team, just to take my shots when it matters most,” said Ray. “Every chance I have to take over a game like that, I’ll take.”

Ray took over the game in the fourth quarter, nailing several contested pull-up jumpshots and finding his way through defenders to the rim.

“Justin is the kind of guy that really thrives on competition,” said Eastside head coach Tom Chamness. “When the games gets down to the wire, he’s one who wants to be taking shots. You love having a guy like that on your team.”

It was an all-Eagles matchup in the finals, with both Eastside and Archbishop Shaw sharing the same mascot — and for much of the game, the same score. Both teams played high-level defense. Neither team jumped to more than a five-point lead until the fourth quarter when Eastside finally pulled away.

Clutch buckets from Ray, a three-pointer from shooting guard Matt Roberts, and a late and-one from forward Hunter Wall helped Eastside seal the win.

“It just shows how many good players this team is surrounded with,” said Chamness. “They all played their part in pulling this game out.”

With their eighth-straight win, the Eagles moved to 10-1 this season.

“It feels great,” said Ray. “We’re playing really good teams and beating really good teams, so it gives us a confidence boost headed toward region play. And now we’re going to this break we have even more.”

THE SCORE BY QUARTERS

Eastside 15 13 15 22 - 65

Archbishop Shaw (LA) 10 20 13 14 - 57

STAT LEADERS

Justin Ray - 33 points, 5 rebounds, 2 steals, 2 blocks, assists