KINGSPORT— It was the first game of 2016 and the Elizabethton Cyclones were looking to get the New Year off on the right foot when they traveled to Sullivan South for a Three Rivers Conference showdown with the Rebels.

A solid first half came into play big time as the Cyclones rode a 32-20 halftime lead through a shaky third period before regaining their footing to take a 51-38 win inside Rebel Gym.

“Our effort was lacking tonight, and we could have done better with our energy on offense,” said Cyclone head coach Lucas Honeycutt. “We challenged them at the half to hit the boards and they responded to that.

“If someone said we could have scored two points in the third quarter and win tonight, I would have said they were crazy.”

Elizabethton (3-0, 8-6) wasn’t too sparkling in the first half but Michael Robinson’s 13 points and seven from Alex Norwood helped to propel the Cyclones ahead by 12 points at intermission.

South (0-2, 5-8) wasn’t doing anything to help their cause as they struggled offensively as well with Grant Ward’s eight points and Grant Phebus’ five keeping the Rebels in the game.

The Cyclone faithful were holding their breath in the third period as the Cyclones offense was more frigid than the 23 degree temperatures outside the gym.

Jalen Smith accounted for the only deuce of the quarter, but when the period ended and Elizabethton looked at the scoreboard they still were out front 34-26 heading into the fourth quarter.

The Cyclones sealed their win from the free throw line as ‘Betsy toed the line 16 times in the final period and converted 11 of those to preserve the victory.

Robinson was the game’s leading scorer with 15—with only two coming in the second half. Norwood came to play on the night scoring 13 points to go along with 11 rebounds.

“We definitely got in a lull and couldn’t get out of it for a whole quarter,” said Norwood in regard to the poor third quarter. “Every game I have got to go hard and get the rebounds. If we can get more rebounds, we will have a higher success to win the game.”

Smith was the only other Cyclone in double figures with 10 points. Bo Pless reeled in nine boards as well.

Friday night is a key tilt as Sullivan East (1-0, 11-5) will be coming to E-Town as the pre-season league favorite.

“The conference is up in the air,” added Honeycutt. “East is the front runner and if we are not prepared, they will run us out of the gym.”

Game time is 8 pm.

Girls

Elizabethton….93

Sullivan South..49

Elizabethton (3-0, 15-0) came into the game as the top Class AA girls’ team in the state and didn’t do anything to hurt that status running away from the Lady Rebels (0-2, 2-11) for a 44-point rout, 93-49, behind a combined 56-point night from the Marosites twins.

Coming off a MVP performance in the Carolina Invitational, Kayla Marosites continued her offensive onslaught burning the cotton for 33 points while collecting ten rebounds, swiping five steals and handing out three assists.

Kelci Marosites also had a solid night for the Lady Cyclones pouring in 23 points. She also chipped in with seven assist, six steals, and three boards.

The Marosites weren’t the only part of the equation, however, as post Emily Schubert continues to build a solid senior resume as she worked the paint for 16 points for the contest while pulling down seven boards, blocking five shots, dishing out four assist and making two steals.

Bailey Montgomery came off the Lady Cyclone bench filling in admirably for Emily Kiser who has been battling a stomach virus as Montgomery also had some good board work while scoring eight points.

Madeline Leslie was the only Rebel in double figures with 15 points on the night, collecting three treys.

“South came out and got some momentum and played hard,” said Lady Cyclone head coach Len Dugger. “It was a game that we played in spurts on both ends of the floor. I was a little bit leery of this game after all the games we have played.”

The Lady Cyclones have a big showdown with conference foe Sullivan East (1-0, 12-5) Friday night at 6:30 pm at John Treadway Gym.

Boys

Elizabethton, 51-38

Elizabethton (51)

Michael Robinson 15, Teve Mushayamunda 3, Tre McCrary 3, Jalen Smith 10,  Hayden Townsend 2, Alex Norwood 13, Bo Pless 5.

Sullivan South (38)

Matthew Copas 10, Seth Crawford 9, Grant Phebus 5, Garrett Bowery 3, Grant Ward 11.

Elizabethton……12   20   2   17 – 51

Sullivan South….11     9   6   12 – 38

3-PT GOALS:  Elizabethton 4 (Michael Robinson 3, Teve Mushayamunda). South 4 (Seth Crawford 3, Garrett Bowery).

 

Girls

Elizabethton, 93-49

Elizabethton (93)

Kayla Marosites 33, Kelci Marosites 23, Emily Schubert 16, Melenda Perry 2, Haley Burleson 6, Brittany Campbell 2, Ashley Depew 3, Bailey Montgomery 8.

Sullivan South (49)

Mollie Leslie 5, Meredith St. Clair 1, Ashley Hallock 8, Emily Ireson 4, Avery Hutchins 5, Madeline Leslie 15, Hannah Clark 3, Tiffany Corby 2, Madison Townsend 6.

Elizabethton……32  22   17  22 – 93

Sullivan South.…19  12   10    8 – 49

3-PT GOALS: Elizabethton 7 (Kayla Marosites 3, Kelci Marosites 3, Ashley Depew). South 7 (Madeline Leslie 3, Ashley Hallock 2, Hannah Clark, Avery Hutchins).