Elizabethton sweeps pair of key Region 1-3A wins over Unicoi Co.
Published 11:02 am Friday, January 24, 2025
Ivan Sanders/Star Correspondent Hudson Pate takes the ball to the rim with authority as a pair of Blue Devil defenders look on.
Ivan Sanders/Star Correspondent Cyclone guard Zack Wallin focuses as he drives to the rim for a layup attempt.
Ivan Sanders/Star Correspondent Cyclone post Nathan Bailey steps behind the arc for a three-point attempt.
Ivan Sanders/Star Correspondent Junior Cyclone cheerleaders showcase some of the cheers they learned during a recent cheer camp.
Ivan Sanders/Star Correspondent A Jr. Cyclone cheerleader shows off her jump split with extra effort.
Ivan Sanders/Star Correspondent Senior cheerleader Xandi Crockett smiles as a Jr. Cyclone cheerleader she worked with waves to someone in the stands.
Ivan Sanders/Star Correspondent Senior sharpshooter Andrew Barnett pulls the trigger on a three-point shot.
Ivan Sanders/Star Correspondent Cyclone big man Hudson Smith works his way around a Blue Devil defender in the paint.
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STAR CORRESPONDENT
After a gut-wrenching overtime loss on the road to front-running Tennessee High early in the week, the Elizabethton Cyclones looked to get back on track by welcoming Unicoi Co. to John Treadway Gym for a key Region 1-3A contest.
Feeding off eight treys between senior Andrew Barnett and junior Justin Whitehead, Coach Lucas Honeycutt’s squad clawed its way to a 59-54 victory after falling behind 12-0 to open the contest and trailing in all three quarters heading into the fourth quarter.
After a sluggish start, the Cyclones managed to cut into the Blue Devils’ lead by halftime, fighting back from a 16-5 deficit at the first horn to trail 26-20 at the break.
Barnett helped steady his team like a true leader, sinking eight points in the second quarter, including two triples and a pair of free throws. Whitehead added six with two treys in the same period.
Meanwhile, Unicoi Co. junior shooting guard Jackson Simmons was in top form, tallying 13 of his game-high 27 points in the first half. Koda Cutlip also contributed eight points for the visitors in the half.
The game began to turn in the third quarter for the Cyclones, as Whitehead caught fire, nailing three treys for nine points despite tight defense. His effort helped narrow the Blue Devils’ lead to 40-38 at the end of the third quarter. Nathan Bailey also chipped in four points during the quarter to keep the Cyclones within striking distance.
Elizabethton maintained its momentum in the final quarter behind Hudson Pate, who made a living at the charity stripe, hitting 8-of-10 free throws. Pate scored 12 of his team-high 16 points in the final eight minutes. Whitehead closed out his night with 15 points, while Barnett contributed 12. Hudson Smith added eight key points off the bench, and Nathan Bailey finished with six. Jackson Buckles chipped in two points.
For Unicoi Co., Simmons’ 27-point outburst led all scorers, while Kaden Cutlip added 13 points. Koda Cutlip contributed nine points.
Elizabethton (13-6, 2-2) will return to action Saturday night at Science Hill at 7 p.m. Unicoi Co. (13-9, 0-3) will host Sullivan East on Friday night.
Girls Elizabethton 44, Unicoi Co. 34
The Lady Cyclones led from start to finish in the night’s opening game, as Coach Lucas Andrews’ team secured a 44-34 victory.
Eight Lady Cyclones contributed to the scoring, with Rylee May and Kayleyn Nave leading the way with nine points each. Jamira Smalls added seven points, while Adrian Heading and Jasy Shell contributed six points apiece. Aerryan Fleenor (3), Reagan May (2), and Peyton McGee (2) rounded out the scoring for Elizabethton.
As a team, the Lady Cyclones were a solid 15-of-19 from the free-throw line.
Abigail Vidrio paced the Lady Blue Devils with 12 points, while Haley Rush added eight.
