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STAR CORRESPONDENT

Tuesday night’s boys basketball contest at David Crockett featured a showdown between two of the top teams in Region 1-3A basketball, as Elizabethton entered the game in first place with the Pioneers nipping at their heels.

The Cyclones carried a 50-41 lead into the fourth period, but the Pioneers rallied to tie the game at 60-60, forcing an extra period. Crockett then pulled away in overtime, securing a 75-64 victory in a crowd-thrilling matchup.

The first half was tightly contested, with the teams knotted at 14-all at the end of the first quarter. The Pioneers managed to gain a slight edge by halftime, taking a 29-23 lead.

Bradley Gouge led the way for Crockett in the first half, scoring eight points, while Caleb Eaves chipped in seven. For the Cyclones, junior guard Zack Wallin kept his team in the game with nine points, including a perfect 5-of-5 performance from the free-throw line. Senior Andrew Barnett added seven points for Elizabethton.

The second half turned into a duel between Gouge and Barnett as both players elevated their offensive efforts. Behind a scorching performance from Barnett, who scored 19 points in the third quarter — including four 3-pointers — the Cyclones built a 50-41 lead heading into the final eight minutes of regulation.

However, Crockett’s Gouge took control in the fourth quarter, scoring seven points to help tie the game. He added another seven in overtime to lead the Pioneers to the win. Gouge finished with a team-high 25 points.

Stephen Hensley also came alive for Crockett in the second half, finishing with 21 points after scoring just four in the first half. Eaves contributed 11 points to round out the Pioneers’ double-figure scorers.

Barnett led all scorers with a game-high 28 points for Elizabethton. Wallin added 15 points, the only other Cyclone in double figures. Hudson Pate and Jackson Buckles scored eight points each, Nathan Bailey logged four, and Justius Wallin added one point from the free-throw line.

Elizabethton (12-5, 1-1) will return to action at 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 21, when they travel to Bristol to face Tennessee High. Meanwhile, Crockett (12-5, 2-0) will visit Gate City, Va., at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 18, for a non-region matchup.