Tanner's Malik Atkins converts a layup attempt as Sulligent's Hayden Nolen tries in vain to stop him during the Rattlers' 79-40 win Thursday night over the Blue Devils.

Tanner put on such a performance in the semifinals of the Northwest Regional tournament Thursday night, it left Rattlers coach Chris Whitt searching for when the last time his team had played so well.

“That was definitely the most complete game we’ve played this year — and may be the most complete game Tanner has played in the last three years,” Whitt said. “We were nonstop on defense and shot the ball extremely well.”

Whitt had a right to be ebullient after Tanner put a 79-40 spanking on Sulligent to advance to the Northwest Regional championship game, where the Rattlers will face Mars Hill at 4:45 p.m. Monday with a trip to Birmingham for the Class 2A State tournament on the line.

“Overall, we were balanced all night long,” Whitt said. “We wore (Sulligent) down in the second quarter. There’s no doubt we’re playing our best basketball now.”

Tanner (20-11) dominated the game from the opening tip, outscoring Sulligent 28-15 in the opening quarter before putting on a defensive masterclass in the second quarter, allowing Sulligent to score just two points and taking a 41-17 halftime lead.

Even with the huge halftime lead, Whitt was not completely comfortable. He remembered last season when Tanner faced Sulligent and nearly blew a 20-point halftime lead before hanging on for a close victory.

But there were no worries to be had Thursday, as Tanner outscored the Blue Devils 22-10 in the third quarter to turn the game into a complete rout.

“That third quarter was huge for us,” Whitt said. “I think we remembered what happened last year and came out strong in the third quarter.”

Tanner had three players score in double figures, led by Nathan Montgomery and C.J. Yarbrough, who each scored 17 points. Yarbrough also had nine rebounds. J.J. Jones added 14 points and eight rebounds in the victory. As a team, Tanner out-rebounded Sulligent 43-27.

The Blue Devils (18-8) were led by Tanner Collins with 12 points.

Tanner will face a very familiar opponent in Mars Hill in the Northwest Regional final. The Panthers advanced to the final with a 62-58 win over Red Bay. Monday’s contest at Wallace State’s Tom Drake Coliseum will be the fourth time the two Class 2A, Area 16 rivals have played each other this season.

Mars Hill won the two regular season meetings by scores of 71-61 and 76-63, but Tanner defeated the Panthers 51-46 in the area tournament championship game.

Whitt said there are no secrets between the two teams, which should make for an exciting game.

“We know what they’re going to do, and they know what we’re going to do,” Whitt said. “It’s a matter of who executes it the best.”

Whitt said he doesn’t mind playing a familiar opponent with a trip to the state tournament on the line.

“I think it would be more difficult for us if we had beaten (Mars Hill) three straight times, it might be hard for us to get up for it,” he said. “But knowing they beat us twice and all three games have been close, we will be ready. I’m pretty comfortable with the situation.”

After making four consecutive trips to the state tournament, including a state championship in 2013, the Rattlers failed to make the trip to Birmingham last season after falling in the semifinals of the Northwest Regional. Whitt said his players are hungry to get back.

“A lot of people like to get to the regionals, and that is a goal,” Whitt said. “But our ultimate goal is to get to Birmingham and have a chance to play for the whole thing.”