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By SOTG Sports | Chattanooga, TN
High school basketball is often defined by star power, but for the Red Bank Lions, Tuesday night’s 75–47 victory over Brainerd at High-Jackson Gymnasium came down to one word: unselfishness.
Behind a high-flying performance from Marcus Jones and a backcourt masterclass in ball distribution, the Lions dismantled their district rivals to remain perfect in conference play. Despite a resilient 15-point effort from Brainerd’s Kobe Jackson, the Panthers could not keep pace with Red Bank’s relentless ball movement and balanced attack.
The “Magic” Number: 23 Assists
While the 75 points on the scoreboard stood out, it was the 23 assists that had Head Coach Nick Fike smiling afterward.
“When you watch it, it was sharing the ball,” Fike said. “I’m big on assists, and we had 23, which is unreal. When you see guards making the extra pass and looking for teammates, it makes you feel good as a coach. They’re sharing the rock and playing together—it’s fun to watch.”
Austin Jones (A4) led the charge, orchestrating the offense with a 12-point, 10-assist double-double. D.J. Wilbur filled the stat sheet as well, finishing with 14 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists, narrowly missing a triple-double.
Balanced Attack Fuels the Win
Marcus Jones delivered the night’s biggest highlight with a thunderous alley-oop dunk and finished with a team-high 19 points and 7 rebounds. Despite his recent scoring surge, including a career-high 41 points at the Tri-Cities Classic at ETSU over the weekend, Coach Fike emphasized that Jones’ success is rooted in team chemistry.
“You talk about Marcus and his ability to score, but it goes back to guys finding him,” Fike said. “He knows where to get to, and his teammates know how to get him the ball. We had four guys in double figures again. The more guys we get there, the tougher we are to guard.”
K. Hambrick anchored the Lions defensive effort with 4 steals to go along with 12 points, while Taylor McDuffie controlled the glass with 8 rebounds.
Recent Momentum & Bench Impact
The Lions entered the matchup riding the momentum of historic individual performances. Along with Marcus Jones’ 41-point outing, Austin Jones recently recorded a triple-double against rival Soddy Daisy, further cementing his role as one of the region’s top floor generals.
With the game well in hand, Red Bank showcased its depth. Freshman Kice provided valuable minutes, while sharpshooter Ben knocked down two three-pointers. Coach Fike praised the bench’s preparation and effort.
“You owe that to them,” Fike said. “They come to practice every day and work hard just as you.”
Looking Ahead
Red Bank will look to carry its confidence and cohesion into a massive road test this Thursday against #10 state-ranked Walker Valley.
“We’re excited to go to Walker Valley on Thursday,” Fike said.
Box Score Summary
Red Bank Lions (75)
- Marcus Jones: 19 pts, 7 rebs
- D.J. Wilbur: 14 pts, 7 rebs, 5 ast
- Austin Jones: 12 pts, 10 ast
- K. Hambrick: 12 pts, 4 stls
- Taylor McDuffie: 7 pts, 8 rebs
Brainerd Panthers (47)
- Kobe Jackson: 15 pts
- S. Evans: 8 pts
- Bell: 7 pts
Next Up: Red Bank at Walker Valley — Jan. 22, 2026
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