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STAR CORRESPONDENT

ERWIN – A milestone came a day late for the Hampton Bulldogs, who fell from the No. 1 seed in District 1-AA to having to play a road game to open the regional playoff. The milestone was head coach Ned Smith’s 500th career victory, and it came in a 73-62 consolation game win over Johnson County on Tuesday night at Unicoi County High School.

The Bulldogs will travel to Austin-East on March 1, while the Longhorns will play at Alcoa on the same day.

“This came with a lot of hard work, a lot of great coaches, a lot of great players, and it’s been a whole lot of fun,” Smith said of his milestone victory. “God has blessed me beyond measure.”

Hampton (23-9) opened with an 18-12 first-period lead behind 3-pointers from Jayden Nave, Jackson Smith, and Ezra Tolley. The ‘Dogs rolled to a 34-29 halftime lead, with sophomore Chase Davenport scoring 13 of his team-high 23 points.

The Bulldogs opened the third period with an 8-0 run to take a 42-29 advantage before the ‘Horns cut the lead slightly to 57-43 heading into the fourth quarter.

“We had some big runs, and that was key,” Smith said. “Jayden Nave had a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds, and we had four players score in double figures. In my career, I have been blessed with a lot of great players, and I have enjoyed my connection with those players that I still talk to and have a relationship with.”

In the fourth quarter, Johnson County opened with a three-point play from forward Darren Chapell, who scored a team-high 23 points, but the ‘Dogs had an answer to every Longhorn run. Tuff Robinson scored 18 points, with Jackson Smith adding 14 points, and Nave finishing with 11.

For the Longhorns (8-16), Carson Jennings scored 14 points, Landon Lipford added 13, and freshman Carter Atwood had 12.

District 1-AA Boys Consolation Game

Hampton 73, Johnson County 62

Johnson County (62)
Chapell 23, Jennings 14, Lipford 13, Atwood 12.

Hampton (73)
Nave 11, Smith 14, Robinson 18, Davenport 23, Tolley 5, Jones 2.

Johnson County 12 17 14 19 – 62
Hampton 18 16 23 16 – 73

3-point goals: Johnson County 4 (Jennings 2, Chapell 1, Atwood 1); Hampton 5 (Robinson 2, Davenport 1, Smith 1, Tolley 1).