Cyclones have no answers as ‘Toppers roll in non-region play
Published 10:52 am Friday, December 13, 2024
Ivan Sanders/Star Correspondent Justin Whitehead fires a three-pointer from in front of the Science Hill bench.
Ivan Sanders/Star Correspondent Elizabethton's Hudson Pate challenges the 'Toppers' defense at the rim.
Ivan Sanders/Star Correspondent Justius Wallin focuses on the rim while preparing to shoot a free throw.
Ivan Sanders/Star Correspondent Senior Andrew Barnett brings the ball into the frontcourt against Science Hill's pressure.
Ivan Sanders/Star Correspondent Cyclone big man Nathan Bailey takes the ball strong to the rim for a one-handed shot.
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STAR CORRESPONDENT
One thing fans can count on when the Elizabethton Cyclones and Science Hill Hilltoppers square off on the hardwood is a very physical, high-tempo contest.
Nothing changed when the ‘Toppers rolled into John Treadway Gym in a non-region tilt Tuesday night, tossing the ball up from every possible angle to build a huge 44-25 lead and never letting off the gas, dealing Elizabethton an 87-68 loss.
If any evidence was needed as to how physical the game was, the ‘Toppers were whistled for 25 fouls, while the host Cyclones collected 23, for a combined total of 48 fouls in the contest.
Darian-Watson Jackson scored 11 first-half points to get the visitors out to a hefty lead by halftime. Logan Roberts also reached double digits in the first 16 minutes, scoring 10 points for Science Hill.
Elizabethton’s Jackson Buckles totaled six points in the first half, as no Cyclone could score more than six. Zack Wallin and Andrew Barnett added five points apiece.
The ‘Toppers came out in the second half and continued to find the bottom of the basket, not allowing the Cyclones any space to catch up.
Science Hill had five players reach double figures in the contest, led by a game-high 18 points each from Jackson and Roberts.
Tyeion Young and Eli Patton added 12 points each, while Oliver Peterson chipped in with 11 points.
Elizabethton was paced by a team-high 14 points from Barnett, while Zack Wallin hit double digits with 13 points.
Hudson Pate finished with nine points for Coach Lucas Honeycutt’s Cyclones, while eight points each were contributed by Buckles and Nathan Bailey.
Other Cyclones reaching the scoring ledger included Justius Wallin (6), Justin Whitehead (5), and Evan Chambers (5).
