T.A. Dugger boys fall to Sevier after slow start
Published 1:31 pm Tuesday, November 19, 2024
Ron Marvel/Star Correspondent Rylan Garland goes up strong for a basket.
Ron Marvel/Star Correspondent Creed Baker pushes the ball down the floor, looking for an open teammate.
Ron Marvel/Star Correspondent Carson Lyons muscles past an Indians defender to work in the paint.
Ron Marvel/Star Correspondent Jr. Cyclones head coach Billy Etter looks for an explanation on a call.
Ron Marvel/Star Correspondent The Cyclones scrap to climb back into the game during third-period action.
Ron Marvel/Star Correspondent The Jr. Cyclones cheerleading squad fires up the Elizabethton faithful.
|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
By Ron Marvel
Star Correspondent
The T.A. Dugger boys basketball team controlled the tip, with Chase Taylor scoring on an easy layup to jump out to a 2-0 lead. Unfortunately, that was about all that went right in the first half, as Sevier Middle School pushed the lead to 19 by halftime. Despite a strong second-half effort, the Junior Cyclones fell 57-34 to the Indians.
Shooting woes and early turnovers allowed the Indians to jump out to a 17-6 lead in the first period. Neither team did much in the opening minutes of the second period. Taylor grabbed a rebound and went coast-to-coast, cutting the Indians’ lead to 30-11 heading into the locker room.
With aggressive play by Rylan Garland, the Jr. Cyclones began to chip away at Sevier’s 24-point lead. Garland scored on four free throws and a putback off a loose ball rebound to cut the lead to 18. Max Fields dribbled baseline and hit a short jumper to trim the deficit to 16 going into the final period. The Jr. Cyclones continued to battle but could get no closer.
Garland finished the night with 10 points, while Creed Baker added 7. Jacob Stewart led the way for the Indians with 18 points.
Postgame, Jr. Cyclones head coach Billy Etter spoke about his squad’s performance: “You have to give them credit—they jumped on us early and never let up. I’m proud of our guys for the fight they showed. I know our guys will show up ready to go today. We talk about being mission-focused all the time, so I know this group will be ready for Sullivan Heights on Thursday,” Etter shared.
Junior Varsity: T.A. Dugger 38, Sevier 29
The Jr. Cyclones methodically pulled away after the two teams were tied at 14 at halftime. The second half featured the Jr. Cyclones chasing down loose balls and displaying aggressive play around the rim. Sevier cut the lead to five points with 1:29 left, but Collin Whitehead hit free throws, and Triston Cole grabbed an offensive rebound and went back up strong to push the lead back to nine in the final moments.
Carson Lyons and Whitehead each finished with 11 points, while Steven Gorby chipped in 6 points in the win.
