Friday night was a night of celebration at Unaka High School’s Snavely gymnasium as former head coach – and 2004 state champion – Donald Ensor was honored with the naming of Donald Ensor Court at Snavely gym in a ceremony after the girls’ varsity basketball game against Hampton.

Also on this evening Lady Rangers senior post Myah Parlier was recognized prior to the contest with a ball symbolizing her 1,000th career point.

“It means a lot to get this, but it isn’t just my accomplishment,” Parlier said. “It goes to my whole team. I couldn’t have done it without them. They are the ones that get me the ball have the confidence in me to score.”

The Lady Rangers scored a 49-33 win over the Lady Bulldogs in a Mountain East Conference clash in which Parlier scored a game-high 13 points. Unaka (10-13, 4-2 MEC) led 13-10 after one period and extended to a 23-18 halftime lead despite Hampton holding Parlier to just two first-half points.

Parlier was whistled for two quick fouls in the first period and was held out for the remainder of the half as Bulldogs center Hazen Brumitt’s defensive pressure – including blocking a shot – proved troublesome.

In the third quarter 3-ball’s from Madison Pierce and Savannah Tipton helped Unaka gain control of the game, taking a 36-28 lead into the fourth quarter. Lady ‘Dogs senior guard Stephanie Campbell helped keep Hampton in striking range with three buckets in the period for her team high 11 points.

Campbell was kept off the scoreboard in the fourth quarter however as the Rangers held Hampton (6-19,( 2-4) to just five points in the frame with three of those coming on a long range bomb from guard Bridgette Heaton.

“I feel like we are heading in the right direction,” Parlier said. “We have been practicing real hard lately and working on our defense. And we are getting better at shooting outside.”

Tipton and Jada Whitehead each had 10 points for Unaka while Hannah Collins had eight for Hampton.

BOYS

Hampton 67, Unaka 62

The Bulldogs held the Rangers to eight second period points and took a 34-25 halftime lead. The ‘Dogs (18-7, 5-1 MEC) added to their lead in the third period and led comfortably 50-39 going into the fourth period.

Hampton then had to hold off a strong fourth quarter Unaka (10-11, 2-4) charge to hang on for the win. Junior forward Ryan Johnson knocked down six trey’s for Unaka – including three in the fourth period – for his game-high 18 points.

Johnson hit a 3-ball at the 1:47 mark to cut the Hampton lead to 59-53 and two free throws from Will Sexton cut even deeper into the ‘Dogs advantage and made it a 59-55 contest. Senior forward John Ramsey also hit two free throws to make it a 59-57 game, but Hampton post Caleb Oaks hit a deuce in the paint for two of his team-high 16 points.

“They were often putting a smaller guard on me, so my guards started looking for me,” Oaks said. “We have some great guards to pass it in there. This was huge to come into their place. They were ready and we played hard and I’m proud of the way we played.”

After Oaks’ bucket, Matt Hughes hit a pair of free throws but senior forward John Ramsey also hit a pair from the line to make it a 63-59 contest. With Hampton up 65-59, Johnson nailed his final 3-ball of the night to make it a one-possession game at 65-62.

Jordan Bentley scored 15 points for Hampton with Garrett Vines adding 10. Isaac Hill scored 15 for the Rangers and Ramsey added 12.