Cyclones come alive late to defeat Happy Valley
Published 8:54 am Monday, February 12, 2024
Star Photo/Ivan Sanders Darian Jackson drives the basketball hard as he attempts to sidestep Cyclone Zach Wallin.
Star Photo/Ivan Sanders The Warriors got the game off to a roaring start when the senior drilled a three-pointer over the outstretched arm of Cyclone post Jackson Hobbs.
Star Photo/Ivan Sanders Dylan Willis of Happy Valley pulls up for a jumper over Cyclone Hudson Pate.
Star Photo/Ivan Sanders Darian Jackson slips a smooth behind-the-back pass to a wide-open teammate for an easy two points.
Star Photo/Ivan Sanders Elizabethton's Mac Paulson takes the ball to the rim for a Cyclone bucket.
Star Photo/Ivan Sanders Jackson Hobbs dribbles the ball the full length of the court as he drives toward the Cyclone basket.
Star Photo/Ivan Sanders Hudson Pate of the Cyclones is tied up by Darian Jackson of Happy Valley.
Star Photo/Ivan Sanders Elizabethton's Zach Wallin looks inside for an open teammate to pass to.
Star Photo/Ivan Sanders Boys just want to have fun, as evidenced by the Cyclone bench's antics late in the game against Happy Valley.
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STAR CORRESPONDENT
For the first three quarters, the Happy Valley Warriors took the game to the Elizabethton Cyclones, as Happy Valley led for the first two quarters and one minute into the third quarter.
That’s when the Cyclones finally found somewhat of an offensive rhythm to eventually catch the Warriors in the third period and hold on down the stretch to take a 69-61 non-conference win inside Bayless Gymnasium.
It was an emotional night for the HV seniors, who were recognized prior to the game, while Homecoming 2023-2024 was celebrated at halftime of the varsity game.
Zach Stansell’s trey to start the game for Happy Valley brought the Warrior faithful to a standing frenzy as the Warriors shot lights out from beyond the arc in the first quarter to take a 15-10 lead at the first stop, behind 10 points from Darian Jackson.
Zach Wallin and Andrew Barnett added a trey apiece to help keep Coach Lucas Honeycutt’s team close.
The Warriors continued to maintain the advantage at the intermission, as Happy Valley led 32-27.
TJ Good led the Warriors’ charge in the quarter by hitting for seven points, while Dylan Furr netted five to help maintain the edge.
Barnett added two more treys to keep the Cyclones in the ballgame, as Will Churchill also dumped in four in the period.
A quick five-point spurt coming out of the locker room forced Coach Shane Williams to call a timeout to settle his team with the score tied. From there, it was game on for both teams, as the third period ended with the game tied at 42-42.
The Cyclones finally were able to take control down the stretch to hold off the Warriors for the victory.
Jackson Hobbs led the Cyclone attack with a team-high 20 points, including 10-of-14 from the charity stripe. Barnett played a big role in the win with 17 points, while Hudon Pate contributed 14 points.
Zach Wallin and Churchill finished the game with eight points each. Jackson Buckles picked up a deuce.
For the Warriors, Jackson was the game-high scorer with 21 points in the loss. Good also hit double figures for Happy Valley, finishing with 13 points.
Furr and Dakota Grindstaff each scored nine points, while Artee Bahn finished with six points. Stansell added the triple.
Junior Varsity
Elizabethton 61, Happy Valley 44
The Cyclone junior varsity ran its season record to 18-1 with a 17-point win over the Warriors.
Four Cyclones reached double figures, led by Justin Whitehead’s 15-point performance. Hudson Pate followed with 11 points, while both Colby Blevins and Jackson Buckles tallied 10.
Hudson Smith (6), Nathan Bailey (4), Zach Wallin (3), and Justius Wallin (2) closed out the Cyclone scoring.
Artee Bahn scored a game-high 18 points to pace Happy Valley. Austin Stines (8), Jackson Fenner (8), Cayson Blair (5), Lane Parker (4), and Zack Rose (1) balanced the scoring ledger for the Warriors.
