The Cyclones had a tall task ahead of them on Saturday, but EHS was up for the challenge.
Elizabethton knocked the top seed from District 2-AA with a strong 52-34 victory over Cumberland Gap in the Region 1-AA quarterfinals.
The Cyclones will take on Grainger – who is hosting the Region 1-AA semifinals and finals – on Tuesday night with a substate berth and spot in the regional finals on the line.That game is set for a 6 p.m. start.
Elizabethton saw the Panthers jump out to an early lead, but Jalen Smith and Eric Wilson hit early baskets for EHS. Bo Pless added a bucket to close the deficit to 9-8 heading to the second quarter.
Michael Robinson hit a jumper to open the second period that put EHS in the lead, and Pless added the next six EHS points. That set the stage for the Cyclones to take a 22-15 lead into the half.
Wilson and Pless hit buckets to push the lead to 10-points, and the Cyclones held Cumberland Gap to just five points in the quarter to take a 36-20 advantage into the fourth quarter. From there, Elizabethton took care of business to advance in the region tournament.
Pless scored 16 points, and Smith tallied 14 points. Robinson scored 13 points for the Cyclone cause.
