Elizabethton found a way to win on Saturday.
The Cyclones overcame a slow start and took a 58-56 victory over South Greene in thrilling fashion as Adam Cornett hit a pair of free throws with nine-seconds remaining in the Region 1-AA Quarterfinals.
With the win, Elizabethton advances to take on Greeneville in the semifinals with a berth to the region championship game as well as a substate berth on the line.
South Greene opened the game on a roll as they jumped out to a 10-0 lead in the opening minutes. The Cyclones, however, saw Evan Perkins hit a pair of shots to close the gap to three points before the Rebels took a 20-13 advantage into the second quarter.
Elizabethton continued to stay within striking distance of the Rebels during the second stanza. Nico Ashley and Parker Hughes hit key shots for the Cyclones, but EHS trailed 32-27 at the half.
In the third quarter, South Greene pushed the lead to eight points, but Elizabethton battled back. Perkins drained a shot in the closing seconds to give Elizabethton a 42-41 lead – their first lead of the night – entering the fourth quarter.
The Cyclones and Rebels traded shots before EHS pushed the lead to six points just past the midpoint of the quarter. SG battled back to tie the game with 18 seconds remaining.
After EHS called a timeout with 9.1 seconds remaining, the Rebels were called for a hold sending Cornett to the line when he hit both shots to give EHS two-point lead.
South Greene had a shot to tie the game at the buzzer, but the shot drew iron.
Perkins had 18 points to lead Elizabethton. Ashley tallied 12 points and Wilson recorded 10 points.
