Eagles survive ‘Dogs desperation shot in Region 1-A semifinal
Published 5:37 pm Wednesday, March 3, 2021
StarPhoto/Larry N. Souders Bulldog fans and the bench and reacts to a bucket late in the fourth quarter.
StarPhoto/Larry N. Souders With just 2.5 seconds left in the game, and down by one Hampton’s Morgan Lyons (24) in bounds the ball to Conor Burleson (30), who turned and fired. The Bulldogs Patrick Henry put-back the missed three pointer immediately at the buzzer, but the made shot waved off by the refs, giving Cosby the victory and a birth in the sub-state game.
StarPhoto/Larry N. Souders Cosby’s Hayden Green (24) tries to draw the charge but is instead call for blocking as the Bulldogs Morgan Lyons (24) pulls up and hit this short jumper for the bucket and the plus one late in the fourth quarter.
StarPhoto/Larry N. Souders Hampton’s Logan Whitehead (14) hits this floater in traffic in the paint late in the first quarter.
StarPhoto/Larry N. Souders Defense turns to offense, as right at the end of the first quarter the Bulldogs steal the ball at center court and then hit a streaking Isaiah McCoury (23) for the easy layup.
StarPhoto/Larry N. Souders The Bulldogs Morgan Lyons (24) pulls up and hit this fall away jumper over Cosby Mr. Basketball finalist Trey Johnson (3) in the lane early in the second quarter.
StarPhoto/Larry N. Souders The Bulldogs Michael Harrison (2) drills this three ball over Cosby’s hard charging Cory Askew (30) early in the second quarter.
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BY IVAN SANDERS
STAR SPORTS EDITOR
ivan.sanders@elizabethton.com
Hampton knew before they even stepped on the bus heading toward Cosby what awaited them in the Region 1-A boys semifinal contest.
A rabid Eagle fan base, home-court advantage, and the possibility of getting the short end of the stick on some officiating calls however in true Hampton class the Bulldogs took the fight to the Eagles before dropping a 55-54 contest as a Conor Burleson last 2.5-second shot kicked off the rim and Parker Henry’s made shot as the horn sounded was waved off to end Hampton’s run toward another region final.
It was another classic ‘Dog-Eagle showdown after Hampton came out on top in last season’s region final at Walters State at the buzzer as well.
Hampton worked hard in building a 32-30 halftime advantage.
Burleson was the go-to guy in the half for Hampton registering 12 points in the first half to put the ‘Dogs out front. Morgan Lyons also had a solid half with nine points.
Michael Harrison sank a trey with Nate Wilson, Henry, Logan Whitehead, and Isaiah McCoury pitching in with two points each.
Cosby’s Trey Johnson single-handedly kept the Eagles in the contest as he recorded 14 points in the opening 16 minutes. Hayden Green tallied five and Corey Askew four points for the home team.
Cosby seized the one-point lead coming out of the break as they outscored Hampton 17-14 to make it a 47-46 game with eight minutes left to play in regulation.
Burleson continued to play solid basketball adding six more points to his first-half total.
The teams played even in the fourth period as each team managed to score eight points apiece with the Eagles taking the contest by the single point.
Burleson finished with 20 points to lead Hampton in the contest while Lyons added 14.
Johnson finished with a game-high 22 points scoring only eight in the second half as the ‘Dogs tightened down defensively. Green was the only other Eagle in double figures with 12 points.
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Region 1-A Boys Semifinals
Cosby, 55-54
Hampton (54)
Nate Wilson 6, Michael Harrison 3, Parker Henry 5, Logan Whitehead 4, Isaiah McCoury 2, Morgan Vines 14, Conor Burleson 20.
Cosby (55)
Shayden O’Dell 5, Trey Johnson 22, Hunter Workman 2, Paxton Coggins 3, Hayden Green 12, Corey Askew 8, Riley Galler 3.
Hampton….. 19 13 14 8 – 54
Cosby………. 14 16 17 8 – 55
