Unaka Boys dominate at Cosby, Lady Rangers struggle
Published 12:40 pm Wednesday, January 29, 2025
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Rangers set Cosby ablaze in 73-56 victory
By C.Y. Peters
Winning at Cosby is no easy feat, as many Carter County teams have seen their seasons end in the Eagles’ den. But last night, the Unaka Rangers turned up the heat and left with a dominant 73-56 road win. The duo of Aiden Walsh and John Hardin lit up the scoreboard, leading Unaka’s offensive charge.
Cosby’s star player, Cruz Coggins, who had previously torched Unaka for over 30 points, was held to just 16, thanks to the Rangers’ relentless defense. Hardin, after a quiet first half with only four points, erupted for 17 in the final two quarters, finishing with 21. Walsh added 20, while Ryan Crabtree drained four 3-pointers to tally 12 points.
Unaka came out strong, putting up 19 points in each of the opening quarters. Walsh notched 10 early points, while Crabtree connected on three 3s. The Eagles kept pace, hitting five 3-pointers in the first quarter to knot the game at the end of one. However, the Rangers were determined to leave with a win.
The game’s decisive moment came in the fourth quarter when Unaka exploded for 24 points while holding Cosby to just 11. Mason Wilson’s speed and defensive pressure disrupted the Eagles, while the Rangers’ dominance on the boards ensured they controlled the tempo.
Lady Rangers Go Cold in 48-27 Loss
On the girls’ side, the Lady Rangers struggled offensively, falling to Cosby 48-27. The cold shooting spelled trouble early, as Unaka managed just two points in both the second and third quarters. Despite their offensive struggles, the Lady Rangers only trailed 21-13 at halftime, keeping hope alive.
However, Cosby took control in the third, outscoring Unaka 13-2 to build an insurmountable lead. Azariah Spurgeon led the Lady Eagles with 16 points. Michele Shields was the top scorer for Unaka with nine points, while Lauren Lund contributed seven.
Though the Lady Rangers couldn’t find their rhythm, the Unaka boys made a statement with their explosive performance. The win at Cosby is a testament to their grit and determination as they continue their season on a high note.
Boys
Unaka 19 19 11 24 — 73
Cosby 19 12 14 11 — 56
Unaka: Hardin 21, Wilson 8, Crabtree 12, Walsh 20, Lambert 2, Good 4, Deyton 6.
Cosby: Wigfall 7, Wesson 3, Davis 16, Sneed 7, Coggins 16, McKeenen 3, Spurgeon 4.
Girls
Unaka 12 2 2 11 — 27
Cosby 9 12 13 14 — 48
Unaka: Lund 7, Douglas 5, Shields 9, Sutherland 3, Campbell 3.
Cosby: Woods 2, Hance 1, Shelton 7, Miller 6, Moore 2, Norwood 1, Spurgeon 16, Bible 6, Magaha 5, Ottinger 2.