Tanner advanced to the Final Four the third straight season last year and the Rattlers did so without arguable their best player, freshman C.J. Yarbrough.

The All-State forward injured his hand just before playoffs began and missed the entire postseason in his first year playing varsity ball. As a sophomore, Yarbrough has flourished and hopes to stay healthy as the postseason approaches.

“He’s had some breakout games where he got in that zone and took over,” said Tanner head coach Chris Whitt. “He got in a little slump where he was only scoring 13 or 14, but that’s not bad for an off night. He’s one of those type players who can take over a game.”

Yarbrough demonstrated that ability last month in the Pepsi Challenge Tournament, scoring a game-high 30 points to lead the Rattlers to a win over Athens. In that game, Yarbrough made 6 of 6 free-throw attempts in the second half to help Tanner hold off the host.

Standing 6-4 with the ability to take the ball up court or shoot 3-pointers, Yarbrough has few flaws.

“He’s going to be wherever we can get him some looks,” said Whitt. “He doesn’t shoot a lot from outside, but he can. He leads us in most categories and is second in assists. I can put him at the point if I need to. That really makes him hard to defend.”

The more teams Tanner plays, the more attention Yarbrough draws from opposing competition. While most opponents don’t have anyone to guard him one-on-one, teams have found other ways to neutralize his play.

“Getting in foul trouble has been a problem lately,” said Whitt. “If we can get him more confidence in that outside shot, he’s already so good at attacking the basket.”

Tanner won the Limestone County Basketball Tournament in 2012 and 2013, but has lost in the championship game two of the last three years. The most recent defeat was to East Limestone last year.

“These seniors, they would like to go out with a county championship,” said Whitt. “That’s not our ultimate goal, but that’s one of them this season.”

Tanner plays the winner of Elkmont and Clements at 8 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 26, in the semifinals at East Limestone High School.