Jr. Bulldogs earn championship berth over Ridgeview
Published 8:54 am Monday, February 4, 2019
Star Photo/Bryce Phillips The Jr. Bulldogs celebrate after topping Ridgeview in TMSSAA East Sectional Semifinals.
Star Photo/Bryce Phillips Hampton Elementary's Cadon Buckles drives around a Ridgeview player.
Star Photo/Bryce Phillips Jr. Bulldogs Ty McElyea sizes up a foul shot.
Star Photo/Bryce Phillips Hampton's Austin Bentley flies inside for a layup.
Star Photo/Bryce Phillips Jr. Bulldogs Brody Hicks pushes through some defenders.
Star Photo/Bryce Phillips Hampton Elementary's Johnathan Greenwell goes up for a runner.
KINGSPORT—After pulling out a one-point win in the quarterfinals, the Jr. Bulldogs left no doubt in the semifinals as they topped Ridgeview by nine points, 44-35, during the TMSSAA Class A East Sectionals Thursday.
“Down the stretch, we were able to knock down our free throws,” said Hampton Elementary head coach Dewayne Humphrey. “The kids held their composure when we got down four in the fourth quarter. We were able to continue doing what got us here.”
The Jr. ‘Dogs were led by Austin Bentley who recorded a game-high 18 points while teammate Dylan Trivett had nine points.
The Bulldogs jumped out to a 7-4 lead coming out of the first quarter as Bentley opened the period with back-to-back buckets before teammate Johnathan Greenwell hit a bucket to close out the quarter.
Ridgeview made it a one-point game, 9-8, before Trivett hit two 3-pointers to help the Jr. Bulldogs take a 17-14 lead heading into the half.
Ridgeview once again cut the lead to one point, 21-20. Down the third-quarter stretch, Hampton’s Brody Hicks scored six points to give the Jr. ‘Dogs a 29-26 lead.
In the fourth quarter, Ridgeview worked itself out to a narrow lead. The Jr. Bulldogs hit four of six foul shots down the stretch to fend off Ridgeview.
The win earned Hampton a spot at the championship game which was played on Saturday against Sulpher Springs.
Hampton’s Hicks finished the game with six points while Cadon Buckles recorded five points. Buckles also finished the game with five assists and six steals.
