Sexton, Rangers Scalp Warriors 81-76

Published 11:34 pm Monday, February 17, 2020

By Contributed Content

BY CY PETERS
STAR CORRESPONDENT
Will Sexton was as cool as a cucumber and played like a beast – he
was simply unstoppable.
Like a run-away train Sexton tossing in 34 points, hitting 23 of 26 from the
free-throw line to lead Unaka to an 81-76 win on Warrior Hill.
Unaka has struggled all year from the free throw
line but the Rangers would own the charity stripe shooting 68
percent making 34 of 50.

Happy Valley had no answer once the Rangers took the lead as the
Warriors led the entire first half pulling out to an 11-1 lead early.

They would stay ahead until midway in the third, leading by one 38-37
with 5:32 left to go when the game completely changed.
On the next play, Ryan Johnson nailed a three giving the Rangers a 40-38 lead and they
would never trail again.
Sexton reeled off eight straight points to the Warriors one field goal for a 48-40 lead.
Happy Valley would close the score back within two 49-47 as Blake
Young looked like a one-man show putting up nine points in the third
quarter.
Johnson connected on three treys, Dyan Whitehead controlled the
boards, grabbing crucial rebounds and scoring under the basket while
Sexton scored 10-points in the third going six of seven from the line.

Unaka outscored Happy Valley 25-15 and led 53-51 at the third stop.

From behind all the Warriors could do was foul and they started
early in the final period putting the Rangers on the charity stripe.
 
The problem was they kept fouling Sexton and he kept hitting the shots,
16 of his 34 points (23 of 26) came from the line in the final quarter.

Unaka built a ten-point lead with just under two minutes to play.
 
Dylan Willis hit three-pointers from both sides of the court keeping the
Warriors within distance and pulling the game within six.
Sexton’s free throw with 21 seconds left made it a three-possession game as
Unaka went on to win 81-76.
“Our kids played hard and kept their composure late,” said Coach Aaron Dugger.
“It was a great environment to get us ready for the district tournament.”
Young led Happy Valley with 16, Willis followed with 15.
To go with Sextons 34, Johnson scored 17 and Whitehead finished with 14.

In the girls game, only eight basket’s were scored in the first
half with the Lady Warriors scoring first and never losing the lead.
A close first saw the game go 5-0, then 6-3 and a 10-4 finish. Shayln Whitson
and Holly Moore scored three points each in the first.
Whitson would end the game 15.
The Tribe hit all three points in the second and pulled
out to a 20-13 halftime lead.
Mackenzie Depew came off the bench to play an impressive game for Unaka
scoring 11 points but her defensive play kept the Rangers in the game.
Lyndie Ramsey led all scorers with 17.

Happy Valley would outscore Unaka 38-29 in the final half for a 58-42
win. Both teams open tournament play next week.
—
BOYS
Unaka, 81-76
Unaka               6   23   25   27 -81
Happy Valley  14   22   15   25 -76

Unaka:  Sexton 34, Ramsey 7,  Johnson 17, Whitehead 14, Slagle 3, Blamo 7.
Happy Valley:  Willis 15, Tittle 6, Clawson 8, Murray 2, Roberts 8,
Young 16, Warman 7, Babb 7, Lunceford 7.

GIRLS
HAPPY VALLEY, 58-42
Unaka              4     9   13   16   -42
Happy Valley  10   10   18   20  -58

Unaka:  Ramsey 17, T. Whitehead 2, J. Whitehead 3, Grindstaff 5, Enson
4, Depew 11.
Happy Valley:  Moore 5, Wood 3, Blevins 3, Absher 6, Ramey 5, Bailey 9,
Clark 7, Lunceford 5, Whitson 15.

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