Tuesday was statement day for several county teams with impressive wins.
The Lady Cyclones picked up a win over one of Georgia’s biggest schools, while Elizabethton’s boys advanced to the title game of their home tournament. Happy Valley saw Kalee Johnson continue her impressive season, while the Warriors and Cloudland boys’ teams set the stage for the third meeting of the year. In addition, Unaka and Hampton boys picked up solid wins over Region 2-A foes.
Elizabethton 78, South Forsyth (Ga.) 62 (girls)
The Lady Cyclones continued to have the hot hand in Charleston with a strong victory over one of the top schools in Georgia to advance to the Island Division Championship on Wednesday night.
Emily Kiser recorded 31 points, including eight 3-pointers, while Kayla Marosites tallied 16 points and 10 rebounds.
Melenda Perry scored 10 points in the game. Kelci Marosites added eight points for the Elizabethton cause, while Emily Schubert scored six points.
Elizabethton 63, Cherokee 47 (boys)
For the second straight night, Michael Robinson turned in a winning effort for the Cyclones as he scored 16 points. The win moves host Elizabethton into the Chick-Fil-A Championship game against G.W. Carver on Wednesday night.
Bo Pless added 12 points, while Alex Norwood also scored 12 points in the game.
Wednesday’s Championship tilt is set for 8 p.m.
Unaka 80, Sunbright 76 (boys)
Colton Chambers scored 28 points as the Rangers overcame a 33-29 halftime deficit to take the win. Chambers will be chasing the tournament record on Wednesday as he has 65 points in two games so far.
Joe Searfoss added 23 points for Unaka.
The Rangers return to action on Wednesday against Rockwood.
Hampton 57, Rockwood 40 (boys)
The Bulldogs continued to have a strong showing over the Christmas break with a 17-point win over Rockwood.
Nathan Norris led the way with 16 points, while Adam McClain added 10 points. Charlie Butler scored eight points in the win.
The Bulldogs return to action with a 10:30 a.m., game against Kingston on Wednesday morning.
Happy Valley 57, Daniel Boone 55 (girls)
A night after setting the single game scoring record, Kalee Johnson etched her name in the Happy Valley record books as she became the program’s all-time leading scorer. The Lady Warriors had to use a late run to erase an eight-point deficit, and then kept the host Lady Trailblazers at bay in the final minute to take the win.
Johnson led the way with 23 points.
Happy Valley, who moved to 2-0 in pool play, will take on Sullivan Central at 6:30 to wrap up pool play in the Johnson City Honda Invitational.
Happy Valley 58, Volunteer 49 (boys)
The Warriors got back on track against the Falcons.
Josh Hammonds led the way with 19 points, while Sam Blevins chipped in nine points as Happy Valley moved into Wednesday’s game for fifth place at the Chick-Fil-A Classic.
Brayden Sams and Nathan Kyte added eight points each in the game.
The Warriors will take on Cloudland – who dispatched Hixson on Tuesday night – at 5 p.m., on Wednesday.
Cloudland 55, Hixson 52 (boys)
A consistent attack proved to be the difference for the ‘Landers on Tuesday night.
Cloudland countered Hixson’s Braven Horton’s 29 point effort with three double-digit scorers led by Preston Benfield’s 16 points. Dalton Vines added 15 points, while Colby Birchfield scored 10 points in the game.
The ‘Landers will take on Happy Valley for fifth place in the Chick-Fil-A Classic on Wednesday inside Treadway Gymnasium in Elizabethton.
Midway 58, Cloudland 50 (girls)
The Lady ‘Landers were unable to overcome a sluggish second quarter where the Green Wave outscored CHS 22-5. Cloudland continued to stay in touch, but was unable to overcome the deficit.
Payton Johnson had 20 points to lead the Lady ‘Landers, while Shian Strickland had 10 points. Megan Lunsford and Johanna Johnson had eight and seven points, respectively.
Cloudland closes out the Midway tournament against Tellico Plains on Wednesday at 5:30.
Unaka 43, Sullivan Central 27 (girls)
The Lady Rangers controlled the game by limiting the Lady Cougars on Tuesday in the Johnson City Honda Invitational. Katlyn Burrow led the way with 13 points, while Hannah Tipton and Katlyn Weaver had 10 points apiece.
Unaka will take on Unicoi County on Wednesday with a chance to finish pool play with a 2-1 record.
The Lady Rangers-Lady Blue Devils are set to kick off at 5 p.m.
