Unaka Rangers dominate Cloudland Highlanders
Published 9:52 am Friday, February 14, 2025
Larry N. Souders/Star Correspondent The Rangers control the opening tip-off of Tuesday night’s game as Unaka’s John Hardin (55) and Cloudland’s Kingston Cole (24) jump center inside Sonny Smith Gym at Cloudland High School.
Larry N. Souders/Star Correspondent Uriah Jarrett (1) buries a long-range 3-pointer to get the Highlanders on the board early in the first quarter Tuesday night inside Sonny Smith Gym at Cloudland High School.
Larry N. Souders/Star Correspondent The Rangers’ Mason Wilson (12) counters Uriah Jarrett’s (1) 3-pointer with a long ball of his own midway through the first quarter Tuesday night inside Sonny Smith Gym at Cloudland High School.
Larry N. Souders/Star Correspondent The Highlanders’ Uriah Jarrett (1) dials up long distance for his second 3-pointer of the first quarter Tuesday night inside Sonny Smith Gym at Cloudland High School.
Larry N. Souders/Star Correspondent The Rangers’ Rylan Crabtree (15) goes airborne to haul in a cross-court pass in front of Cloudland’s Nick Caraway (22) late in the first quarter Tuesday night inside Sonny Smith Gym at Cloudland High School.
Larry N. Souders/Star Correspondent The Rangers’ John Hardin (55) is fouled from behind by Cloudland’s Cass Turbyfill (15) as he powers back up to the basket late in the first quarter Tuesday night inside Sonny Smith Gym at Cloudland High School.
Larry N. Souders/Star Correspondent Cloudland’s Nick Caraway (22) is fouled by Unaka’s TJ Good (2) as he splits the Rangers' defense for a layup early in the second quarter Tuesday night.
Larry N. Souders/Star Correspondent The Rangers’ TJ Good (2) crashes the boards after a missed Cloudland free throw early in the second quarter Tuesday night inside Sonny Smith Gym at Cloudland High School.
Larry N. Souders/Star Correspondent The Highlanders’ Uriah Jarrett (1) blows by Unaka’s Peyton Guess (4) along the baseline midway through the second quarter Tuesday night inside Sonny Smith Gym at Cloudland High School.
Larry N. Souders/Star Correspondent The Rangers’ TJ Good (2) somehow manages to get his spinning circus layup to drop for two even after being fouled by Cloudland’s Cass Turbyfill (15) near the end of the first half Tuesday night inside Sonny Smith Gym at Cloudland High School.
|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
BY C.Y. Peters
ROAN MOUNTAIN — The Unaka Rangers put on a shooting clinic Tuesday night, overpowering the Cloudland Highlanders, 62-27, in a crucial conference showdown. Senior guard Mason Wilson was on fire, draining four three-pointers in the first quarter and finishing with 17 points to lead Unaka to victory.
Unaka wasted no time asserting dominance, jumping out to a commanding lead early. Wilson’s hot hand set the tone, but it was the second-quarter surge that put the game out of reach. T.J. Good provided a major spark off the bench, scoring 11 of his 13 points in the period. The Rangers outscored the Highlanders, 21-3, in the second quarter, stretching their lead to 44-13 at halftime.
The offensive attack was well-balanced, with nine different Rangers getting on the scoreboard. Rylan Crabtree was another long-range threat, connecting on three triples to finish with nine points. Unaka buried 11 three-pointers in the game while also converting 8-of-12 free throws.
Cloudland struggled to find offensive rhythm, hitting just 9-of-21 from the free-throw line. Nick Caraway led the Highlanders with 11 points, while Uriah Jarrett added 10.
With the win, Unaka improved to 14-7 on the season and will look to carry its momentum into the final stretch of the schedule. The Rangers face North Greene at home on Friday before traveling to Johnson County on Saturday and Washburn on Monday.
Cloudland, now 4-13, will look to bounce back in its final two games against Hampton and University School.
Scoring Summary
Unaka Rangers:
Mason Wilson — 17 points
T.J. Good — 13 points
Rylan Crabtree — 9 points
Cloudland Highlanders:
Nick Caraway — 11 points
Uriah Jarrett — 10 points
Unaka’s sharp shooting and defensive pressure proved to be the difference, ensuring another statement win for the Rangers as they head toward postseason play.
Unaka 25 19 13 5 — 62
Cloudland 10 3 10 4 — 27
Unaka: Mason Wilson 17, T.J. Good 13, Rylan Crabtree 9, John Hardin 8, Austin Lambert 2, Tyler Walsh 3, Peyton Guess 6, Jackson Deyton 2, Julian Wright 2
Cloudland: Nick Caraway 11, Uriah Jarrett 10, Cass Turbyfill 2, Gavin Shell 4
