It was a tale of runs on Saturday night. For Elizabethton, their run proved to be just enough.
The Cyclones held on to take a 53-51 victory over Greeneville to claim the Region 1-AA title on Saturday night at Sullivan East after jumping out to a 17-point lead in the game.
Elizabethton will host their substate game against Knoxville Fulton on Tuesday night.
The Cyclones jumped out early as Tyler Nichols scored the first six Elizabethton points to help power EHS to a 14-3 advantage after a quarter of play.
The teams traded points to open the second quarter before Greeneville closed the gap to 19-17 with a run. However, Conley Bowers hit a tough jumper and Austin Cornett drained a 3-pointer to give Elizabethton some breathing room. Elizabethton held a 28-21 advantage at the half.
Bo Pless and Nichols hit early third quarter shots to help the Cyclones regain a double-digit lead, and a Pless and-one extended the lead to 17 points. Greeneville scored the final four points of the period to cut the gap to 46-31 heading to the fourth quarter.
In the fourth quarter, Quan Harrison and the Greene Devils kept battling as they quickly closed the gap to single digits and eventually within one point. Down the stretch, the teams traded free throws, and the Elizabethton defense kept Greeneville at bay to take the win after the Greene Devils last second shot from past half court didn’t connect.
Nichols had 18 points to lead Elizabethton, while Pless tossed in 12 points. Conley Bowers scored 11 points in the win.
Elizabethton will return to Treadway Gymnasium on Tuesday night as they welcome Fulton to town with a trip to Murfreesboro on the line.
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