Cyclones stave off Crockett down the stretch for Region 1-3A win
Published 12:21 pm Monday, February 3, 2025
Ivan Sanders/Star Correspondent Elizabethton's Andrew Barnett slices through the Crockett defense on his way to the basket.
Ivan Sanders/Star Correspondent Hudson Pate takes the basketball to the hoop for an underhand layup against Crockett.
Ivan Sanders/Star Correspondent Zack Wallin drives through the middle of the paint as he charges toward the goal.
Ivan Sanders/Star Correspondent Zack Wallin pulls up for a mid-range jump shot against the Crockett defense.
Ivan Sanders/Star Correspondent Nathan Bailey drives toward the rim in the first half of the Cyclones' game against Region 1-3A foe Crockett.
The Watts Dance Team performs at halftime of the Elizabethton and David Crockett game Friday night.
Ivan Sanders/Star Correspondent A group of Junior League Lady Cyclones have fun at the Elizabethton and Crockett girls' game.
Ivan Sanders/Star Correspondent Nathan Bailey looks to make a strong move against Crockett's Bradley Gouge.
Ivan Sanders/Star Correspondent Adrian Heading pushes the basketball toward the paint as she works quickly down the floor for the Lady Cyclones.
Ivan Sanders/Star Correspondent Rylee May works the basketball near the paint while a Crockett defender applies pressure.
Ivan Sanders/Star Correspondent Reagan May attempts to duck under the defense of a Lady Pioneer near the basket.
Ivan Sanders/Star Correspondent Jamira Smalls takes the basketball strong to the rim against Crockett post Aaliyah Story.
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STAR CORRESPONDENT
The Elizabethton Cyclones know they are only two overtime games—against Crockett and Tennessee High, in which they had the lead late in the fourth quarter of both—away from being on top of the Region 1-3A standings.
David Crockett paid a visit to John Treadway Gym on Friday night to give the Cyclones the opportunity to even out their season matchup with the Pioneers at one game apiece after letting a 10-point lead slip away on the road at Crockett earlier. Mission accomplished, as the Cyclones fended off the Pioneers 62-58.
It wasn’t an easy win by any means for the Cyclones (4-2, 15-7), as they held onto a narrow lead at the end of each horn.
Elizabethton managed to build a three-point advantage by halftime on the heels of Hudson Pate’s nine points, coming mainly from point-blank range at the rim. Hudson Smith was doing his thing inside as well for Coach Lucas Honeycutt’s team, as the senior worked for six tough points on Senior Night.
The Cyclones’ other senior, Andrew Barnett, was also looking to make his senior night memorable as he contributed six points to help build the slim lead.
Caleb Eaves helped keep the visitors close in the first half, dumping in nine points—all in the second quarter. Stephen Hensley also had a strong half for Crockett, chipping in eight points in the opening half.
Crockett (2-3, 13-8) came out of the gate to open the third period by slicing the lead to one point at the end of the quarter, outscoring EHS 14-12 to trail only 41-40 heading into the final eight minutes of play.
Not wanting another overtime against the Pioneers, the Cyclones finally put together a solid quarter, outdueling the visitors 20-17 to hold onto the victory.
Nathan Bailey came on strong in the second half, scoring 15 of his game-high 18 points to lead the Cyclones. Pate also hit double figures, adding 16 points.
Smith and Barnett contributed eight points apiece, with Justin Whitehead dropping in seven. Zack Wallin totaled five in the win.
Hensley closed out the game with a team-high 17 points to pace the Pioneers. Brody McGuire logged 13 as the only other Pioneer in double figures. Eaves finished with nine.
The Cyclones have two huge Region 1-3A games this week, traveling to Unicoi County on Tuesday evening and then hosting front-running Tennessee High on Friday night—both with 8 p.m. tipoffs.
Meanwhile, Crockett will visit region foe Sullivan East on Friday night for an 8 p.m. showdown.
Girls
Crockett 55, Elizabethton 33
After playing toe-to-toe with the league’s top team, the Elizabethton Lady Cyclones fell to the visiting Lady Pioneers in Region 1-3A play.
Trailing by only five at the half and eight at the end of the third quarter, the Lady Pioneers turned up the heat in the fourth quarter to pull away for the win.
Brylie Tullock led Crockett, firing in a game-high 22 points. Aaliyah Story was tough from the post position, adding 13 points for the visitors.
Reagan May finished with a team-high 10 points for Elizabethton. Peyton McGee added nine points—all on treys—for the Lady Cyclones. Jamira Smalls had six points, while Adrian Heading (3), Rylee May (3), and Aerryan Fleenor (2) closed out the scoring for Coach Lucas Andrews’ team.
