BY BRIAN T. SMITH
BRISTOL HERALD COURIER
Bristol, Tenn. – Leslie McDonald came into the championship game of the 25th annual Arby’s Classic praising his teammates.
McDonald spoke proudly of Briarcrest Christian’s unselfish character and team-first play.
McDonald’s words rang true on Monday evening.
The Saints played unselfish. And they played as a team.
But to ensure that Briarcrest Christian (Eads, Tenn.) walked out of Viking Hall with the tournament championship, McDonald first had to get a little … selfish.
The Saints were down 32-27 to Archbishop Carroll (Washington, D.C.) heading into halftime.
Then McDonald took control.
Mixing mid-range jump shots with slashing drives and long 3-pointers, McDonald keyed a second-half rally and pushed Archbishop Carroll to a hard-fought 71-61 victory over the Lions (6-3).
McDonald finished with 26 points on 12-of-19 shooting, grabbed eight rebounds and seven steals, and also dished out seven assists.
And as the Saints (14-3) were holding the Arby’s Classic championship trophy high and pointing it towards the roof of Viking Hall, McDonald was clutching the tournament’s most valuable player trophy.
“This means a lot because we came from a long way,” McDonald said. “At first, in the beginning of the year, we were just trying to get the little kinks out. But now, it seems like we’re rolling along as a team. So it’s good. It’s a good feeling.”
While McDonald kept it cool, Briarcrest Christian coach John Harrington gave in to the moment.
Harrington had previously stated that the Saints’ semifinal win over Urspring, Germany was monumental, and that even making it to the championship game was “gravy.”
So what was it like to actually win the tournament?
“This is dessert, the big chocolate cake with icing and everything,” Harrington said smiling. “What a tournament, what great teams … it’s just unbelievable, and we’re just lucky and proud to be a part of this, especially the 25th-year anniversary.”
Briarcrest Christian also became the first-ever team from the Memphis, Tenn. area to win the Classic.
“We’re really proud if we’re the first,” Harrington said. “I know that there are Memphis teams that come down here all the time. I’ve been coaching for 24 years and I’ve known, every year, the Arby’s Classic. I’ve seen it on TV. I’ve watched it. I’ve read about in the papers and I keep up with it. So I think our fans back home are going to be really appreciative of this.”
Elgin Lee added 21 points and four assists for Briarcrest Christian, while Gregg Wooten contributed 19 points and knocked down four 3-pointers.
The Saints shot 57.1 percent (28 of 49) from the floor and hit 63.6 percent (7 of 11) of their 3-point attempts. Archbishop Carroll was 25 of 48 from the floor and outrebounded Briarcrest Christian 23-18.
Kristopher Joseph led the Lions with 22 points and a game-high 10 rebounds. Rodney McGruder added 14 points and six rebounds, while Blake Price scored 10 points.
Briarcrest Christian outscored Archbishop Carroll 44-29 in the final two quarters, using a triangle-and-2 defense to clamp down on Joseph and keep the ball out of McGruder’s hands.
The Lions had no answer. They committed 15 turnovers and watched the game slip away after pulling within 57-55 with 3 minutes, 22 seconds remaining.
Still, Archbishop Carroll coach Clinton Perrow was proud. The Lions dominated their first three games, while Joseph and McGruder were two of the biggest stars to take the court in the Classic.
“It didn’t end like we wanted, but we have a lot to be thankful for,” Perrow said. “We try to play in these tournaments the same way we do in our conference. This was just a great experience for our kids and we all had a great time. It would have been nice to win one more, but it wasn’t our night. And they’re a great team.
McGruder and Joseph accounted for the Lions’ first 14 points, and Archbishop Carroll held a 14-10 lead with 2 minutes, 43 seconds to go in the first quarter.
But a 9-1 Briarcrest run gave the Saints a 19-16 lead heading into the second period.
Briarcrest Christian then made its move late in the third quarter.
The Saints went on an 8-1 run, following the path that McDonald and Lee blazed. And a 6-foot bank shot by McDonald pushed Briarcrest Christian ahead 47-42 with 1:56 left in the period.
“Coach told me he was going to look for me, so I had to accept that authority,” McDonald said. “My teammates looked for me, so I had to provide for them.”
An estimated 30,000 fans watched this year’s tournament.
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ARCHBISHOP CARROLL (61)
Kristopher Joseph 8-15 5-10 22, Rodney McGruder 6-13 1-1 14, Blake Price 4-7 0-0 10, George 3-4 0-0 6, Dunkin 2-3 0-0 5, Mitrovic 2-3 0-2 4, Vincent 0-3 0-0 0, Sumlar 0-0 0-0 0, Thompson 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 25-48 6-13 61.
BRIARCREST CHRISTIAN (71)
Leslie McDonald 12-19 1-2 26, Elgin Lee 9-18 1-3 21, Gregg Wooten 6-8 3-4 19, Williams 0-3 2-4 2, McDowell 1-1 0-0 2, Green 0-0 1-2 1, Zettler 0-0 0-0 0, Faulconer 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 28-49 8-15 71.
Archbishop Carroll 16 16 15 14—61
Briarcrest Christian 19 8 20 24—71
3-point goals—AC 5-11 (Joseph, McGruder, Price 2, Dunkin), BC 7-11 (McDonald, Lee 2, Wooten 4). Rebounds—AC 23 (Joseph 8), BC 18 (McDonald 8). Assists—AC 10 (Vincent 3), BC 18 (McDonald 7). Steals—AC 4 (Joseph 2), BC 9 (McDonald 5). Blocks—AC 0, BC 2 (Faulconer, Williams). Turnovers—AC 15, BC 8. Fouls—AC 15, BC 12. Technicals—None.

2007 Arby’s Classic all-tournament team
MVP – Leslie McDonald, Briarcrest Christian, junior guard
Kristopher Joseph, Archbishop Carroll, senior forward
Rodney McGruder, Archbishop Carroll, junior guard
Alekandar Mitrovic, Archbishop Carroll, senior forward
Darius Morrow, Columbia, senior forward
Blake Price, Archbishop Carroll, junior guard
Maurice Stuckey, Urspring, guard
Greg Wooten, Briarcrest Christian, junior guard
Thierno Agne, Urspring, forward
Dego Pena, Charlotte, senior guard
Elgin Lee, Briarcrest Christian, senior guard
Jared Cartwright, Tabernacle, junior guard
Johnny Williams, Briarcrest Christian, junior center
Justin Sylvester, Dobyns-Bennett, junior guard
Travis Leslie, Columbia, senior guard
Nigel Carter, Dorsey, senior forward
Tarmar Sutherland, Father Henry Carr, senior guard
Pablo Warner, Iolani, junior forward
Eddie Piccinini, Pine Castle, senior guard

Champion – Briarcrest Christian (Eads, Tenn.)
Second place – Archbishop Carroll (Washington, D.C.)
Third place – Columbia (Decatur, Ga.)
Fourth place – Urspring, Germany
Fifth place – Father Henry Carr (Toronto, Canada)
Sixth place – Dobyns-Bennett