The Happy Valley boys’ basketball team opened the District 1-AA Tournament in style.
The No. 7 Warriors knocked out No. 2 Sullivan South with a thrilling 50-49 victory in the opening round at Elizabethton High School. The Warriors advanced to Saturday’s action as well as secured a regional berth.
In the earlier game, the No. 7 Lady Warriors saw their upset bid fall short in a 42-27 loss to No. 2 Sullivan South. The loss ended the season for Happy Valley.
In the boys’ game, HV had to battle back from a quick East start. The Patriots took an 8-2 lead in the opening minutes, but Jake Surcey knocked down a pair of 3-pointers to help the Warriors stop the East run. The Patriots took a 11-10 lead into the second quarter.
Bryce Carter got things going for Happy Valley in the second as the Warriors big man scored eight points in the second stanza. The Warriors held a 24-22 lead at the half after leading by as many as six points in the period.
The third quarter was much the same as HV maintained an advantage but was unable to break open the game. The teams traded the lead late in the quarter as HV held a 35-34 lead going to the final eight minutes.
In the final stanza, HV saw Surcey help secure the game as he scored eight points in the final quarter. After the teams swapped the lead early in the quarter, HV jumped out and then held on for the victory.
Surcey finished with 22 points to lead HV, while Carter ad 15 points.
Adam Davison had 17 points to lead Sullivan East.
In the girls’ game, Happy Valley was unable to pull off an upset.
After Kate Roberts scored five points in the first quarter to keep the Lady Warriors within striking distance, Adrienne Heneger and Emily Lunceford hit shots for HV in the second. South, however, held an 18-10 advantage at the half.
In the third quarter, the Lady Rebels quickly doubled their advantage. HV kept fighting but was unable to get back within striking distance in the second half.
Roberts had 15 points to lead HV. Henegar added eight points to the Lady Warriors cause.
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