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By C.Y. Peters

Star Correspondent

Not since Unaka’s legendary seven-overtime victory over Cloudland has Snaverly Gymnasium witnessed a game as electrifying as Tuesday night’s showdown between the Unaka Rangers and the Johnson County Longhorns. A game filled with clutch moments, incredible shooting, and a nail-biting finish had fans on the edge of their seats—and apparently, seven of them lost fingernails in the process. When the dust settled and the referees left the floor, Unaka emerged victorious, narrowly defeating the Longhorns 80-78 in a high-octane thriller.

The game opened with a bang as Johnson County raced to a 19-17 lead after the first quarter, fueled by Darren Chappell’s 10-point explosion. Unaka responded in the second quarter behind the sensational play of John Hardin, who scored 15 of his game-high 34 points in the period. The Rangers edged ahead 41-40 at halftime in what was shaping up to be a classic shootout.

The second half was a tug-of-war, with Unaka maintaining a slim lead most of the time. Though the Rangers occasionally stretched their advantage to five or seven points, the Longhorns, led by the dynamic duo of Chappell and Carter Atwood, kept clawing back into contention. Atwood, displaying nerves of steel, hit four three-pointers and went a perfect 7-for-7 from the free-throw line to finish with 19 points.

Both teams were lights out from the field, with Unaka shooting an incredible 63% (34-of-54) and Johnson County a stellar 54.5% (30-of-55). Combined, the teams attempted an astounding 109 shots, making every possession crucial.

As the final minute ticked down, Unaka led 77-70, seemingly in control. But Coach Austin Atwood’s Longhorns refused to go quietly. A quick basket and three free throws by Carter Atwood cut the lead to 79-77 with just 10 seconds remaining. Johnson County fouled Hardin, who made one of two free throws to give the Rangers a three-point cushion at 80-77.

Employing a strategic foul to prevent a potential game-tying three-pointer, Unaka sent Landin Lipford to the line. Lipford hit the first shot and intentionally missed the second, hoping for a rebound. But Hardin, towering at 6-foot-8, corralled the ball as the clock ticked down to 2.2 seconds. Fouled immediately, Hardin missed both free throws, leaving the Longhorns with a glimmer of hope. A desperation heave from three-quarters court fell short, sealing the victory for the Rangers.

“That was a great high school ballgame,” said Unaka Coach Aaron Dugger. “Anything Coach Austin Atwood has, they play good. They’ve had our number lately, so this was a great atmosphere and a great win for us.”

For the Longhorns, Chappell led the way with 22 points, followed by Lipford with 15. Atwood’s stellar 19-point performance showcased his leadership and versatility. On the Rangers’ side, Hardin’s dominant 34-point outing was supported by Aiden Walsh with 12 points, including some great reverse shots on his way to the basket. T.J. Good added 11 tough points, while Austin Lambert went 4-for-4 from the line and pulled down some big rebounds. Howard Sheffield would be proud of his great-grandson.

This instant classic will be remembered as one of the greatest battles in Snaverly Gymnasium’s storied history. With their thrilling victory, the Rangers not only triumphed over a fierce rival but also cemented their place in Carter County basketball lore. They play Hampton on Dec. 3 at Unaka.

Boys
Unaka 17 24 19 20 — 80
Jo. Co. 19 21 18 20 — 78