GRAY DEYOSports Writer

The Tullahoma Boys’ basketball team’s win streak of 11 games finally got snapped on Dec. 27– losing to Station Camp 61-58. They then bounced back from their loss the next day, beating Mt. Juliet 67-42.

The Wildcats dug themselves in a hole early, as they came into the third quarter trailing Station Camp by a double-digit deficit of 15, as the scoreboard shined 37-22. Xavier Farrell helped keep the Bison’s lead from ballooning further, by scoring 17 of Tullahoma’s 22 first-half points. Other Wildcats failed to capitalize on the pass-heavy style offense in the first half that head coach Jason Welch has instilled into the program. But they would make their mark in the second half.

Farrell was held to 10 points in the final half of play, as he fell into more of a contributor role as the Bisons’ defense tightened on Tullahoma’s season-leading scorer. It was the likes of Khani Johnson and Austin Tinnon who helped cut into the double-digit deficit.

Tinnon and Johnson combined for 20 points in the second half, helping Tullahoma win the last two quarters 36-24.

“We went back to the basket to the basics and defended the correct way and dominated the boards,” coach Welch said regarding his team’s improved performance in the second half.

“Proud of our effort because we never got on a roll the entire game. Guys kept focus in the second half and only fell one play away from overtime.”

The efforts of Tinnon and Johnson still summed up to the Wildcats falling short of Station Camp, as they went on to lose by three points.

The good news however, that comes with the woes of a Wildcat boys’ basketball loss in the 2024-2025 season, is that it is usually short-lived. The last time Tullahoma lost was against Oakland just over a month ago. They then followed that loss with their long leash of 11 wins. Tullahoma put proof of their losses being short lived by winning a game  the very next day, with their win against  Mt Juliet on Dec. 28.

“We showed maturity in bouncing back against Mt. Juliet. Having to play at 10:30 A.M again was tough. We had a good start and then separated ourselves in the third,” said Welch regarding their win against Mt. Juliet.

In the Wildcats’ 25-point win against Mt. Juliet Farrell finished as the team’s leading scorer with 21 points, and Johnson and Tinnon finished as the team’s second and third leading scorers–Johnson finishing with 13 and Tinnon finishing with 10.

The Wildcats didn’t lose for 38 days after their last loss, who’s to say they can’t do something similar following their loss against Station Camp?