Cloudland wasn’t going to be denied Saturday night.
The ‘Landers shook off a slow start and rallied to upend the District 2 No. 2 seed Hancock County with a 59-48 victory in Region 1-A Quarterfinal action at Hancock.
With the win, the ‘Landers advanced to Tuesday’s Region 1-A Semifinals against North Greene at Cosby. It is the first time Cloudland has advanced to the Region 1-A Semifinals since the 2015-16 season.
It was a slow start for the ‘Landers.
Nick Caraway answered an early Indian bucket, but Hancock County ended the quarter on an 8-0 run to take a 10-2 lead after a quarter of play.
After the ‘Landers opened the second quarter scoring, the Indians pushed the lead to 17-4 before Cooper Smith hit a pair of free throws to stop the run. That sparked a 6-2 Cloudland run before the teams traded shots to end the half.
Hancock held a 24-16 advantage at the break.
Cloudland kept chipping away at the Hancock County lead in the third quarter.
In the closing seconds of the third, Uriah Jarrett tied the game up at 34-34 with a free throw as the game went to the final quarter.
Smith pushed Cloudland into the lead with a free throw and a jumper to open the fourth. That sparked a 10-2 Cloudland run as the ‘Landers pushed the lead out to 10 points.
CHS was able to secure the win in the closing minutes and at the free-throw line to extend the season.
Smith finished with 28 points to lead the way, while Caraway had 19 points. Jarrett scored four points, while Grayson Cole and Kingston Cole each added three points apiece.
Eli Morgan added two crucial free throws for the ‘Landers down the stretch.
Connor King had 11 points to lead Hancock County.