Lady Cyclones stay in hunt with win over Sullivan East; boys win
Published 4:55 pm Wednesday, January 29, 2025
Ivan Sanders/Star Correspondent Jamira Smalls looks to go up for a short jumper over Sullivan East’s Asia Carrns.
Ivan Sanders/Star Correspondent Kayleyn Nave looks to take advantage of an open lane against East in the first half.
Ivan Sanders/Star Correspondent Rylee May looks to challenge the Lady Patriot defense at the basket during first-half action Tuesday.
Ivan Sanders/Star Correspondent Adrian Heading gets ready to put up a shot while being defended by Addison Holly.
Ivan Sanders/Star Correspondent Rylee May drives the ball toward the paint in the Lady Cyclones’ win over Sullivan East.
Ivan Sanders/Star Correspondent Kayleyn Nave drives toward the rim as teammate Jamira Smalls readies for a rebound if needed.
Ivan Sanders/Star Correspondent Peyton McGee dribbles through a defensive double team by Sullivan East’s Lacy Brewer (21) and Addison Holly (30).
Ivan Sanders/Star Correspondent Reagan May zips a pass across the baseline while being closely guarded by a Lady Patriot defender.
Ivan Sanders/Star Correspondent Justius Wallin attacks the basket against Patriot Eli Hurley in Tuesday’s action between the Cyclones and Sullivan East.
Ivan Sanders/Star Correspondent Justin Whitehead looks to complete the basket after beating Ryan Hurley to the paint.
Star Photo/Randall Bennett Bethany Wellnitz, center, was crowned the 2024-2025 Basketball Homecoming Queen during the Elizabethton-Sullivan East contest Tuesday evening at John Treadway Gym. Wellnitz was escorted by Will Buckles and crowned by last year's Homecoming Queen, Hope Shelby.
|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
STAR CORRESPONDENT
The Elizabethton Cyclones were celebrating Homecoming 2025 festivities as they welcomed the Sullivan East Patriots to John Treadway Gymnasium on Tuesday evening.
Even though the season hasn’t been filled with many wins for the Lady Cyclones, a win Tuesday night would keep Coach Lucas Andrews’ team in the hunt for a Region 1-3A regular-season title in a congested race with three other teams.
Behind 16 points from junior post Jamira Smalls, the Cyclones maintained a second-place tie with Tennessee High with a 66-50 win.
The Lady Cyclones built a hefty 42-24 lead as Elizabethton was hitting on all cylinders, led by Rylee May’s 9 points.
Smalls scored eight in the half while Reagan May logged seven. Peyton McGee dropped in two treys for six points as well.
East wasn’t about to lie down as the Lady Patriots came out of the locker room with some spark to outscore the home Cyclones 17-8 in the third quarter to narrow what once was a comfortable lead down to 50-41 heading into the final eight minutes of play.
Elizabethton came together in the fourth quarter to salt the game away by outgunning the visitors 16-9 in the period.
Reagan May finished the game with 14 points to complement Smalls as the sophomore collected seven of her total in the fourth quarter.
Rylee May also reached double-figure scoring, hitting for 10 points. Other Lady Cyclone scorers included Kayleyn Nave (8), McGee (6), Jasy Shell (5), Aerryan Fleenor (5), and Adrian Heading (2).
Asia Carrns led all scorers as the Lady Patriot tossed in 22 points in the contest. Emma Whitaker was close on Carrns’ heels as she finished with 21 points.
Elizabethton (2-2, 8-11) hosts front-runner David Crockett Friday at 6:30 p.m.
Boys
Elizabethton …. 73
Sullivan East …. 68
In the nightcap, the Elizabethton boys battled past the Patriots in a typical Region 1-3A contest.
Hudson Pate led a quartet of Cyclones in double figures as he knocked down 16 points in the victory. Justin Whitehead added 14 points while Zack Wallin and Hudson Smith tallied 10 points apiece.
Andrew Barnett (9), Nathan Bailey (8), and Justius Wallin (6) closed out the scoring for the Cyclones.
Kaden Hicks had a game-high 22 points to pace the visiting Patriots. Ryan Hurley added 19 points in the loss.
Elizabethton (3-2, 14-7) will host Crockett in another key Region 1-3A contest on Friday evening. The Cyclones hold on tightly to second place in the region.
