Patriots Face Strong Resistance from Morristown West

Staff Photo by Angie Stanley

The Jefferson County Patriots hosted the Morristown West Trojans in Dumplin Valley Tuesday night.  Head-to-head action featuring both the girls and boys basketball proved to be a tough test for the Patriots.

The Jefferson County Lady Patriots had one of the toughest games that they have had to face all season against the Lady Trojans.  Morristown West pulled ahead quickly to take a lead early in the first quarter.  Reeling from the loss of Kaylin Webster, who suffered an injury against Sevier County, the Lady Patriots’ hard battle was too much to overcome. Number 3-ranked Morristown West came looking to add another win to their season, and this time succeeded.

The Lady Patriots proved to be a hard battle, though, and refused to let the Lady Trojans walk all over them. The fact that the Lady Patriots were able to sink 41 points against the toughest defense in the region proved just how hard they fought. With a strong defense, and aggressive games from team leaders, The Lady Patriots refused to go down without a fight.  With a defense that held Tori Griffin to 10 points, after her outstanding performance of 29 points against Sevier County, and ultimately wearing down Jefferson County’s defense, the Lady Trojans prevailed 79-41.

Staff Photo by Angie Stanley

Staff Photo by Angie Stanley

The Jefferson County vs Morristown West Boys game proved to be more balanced.  Pulling away quickly in the first quarter, it looked like the Patriots were going to run away with the victory.  Looking to be far more constructed and brought together than the Trojans, the Patriots found themselves ahead ending the first half 32-23.

The Trojans bus finally arrived in the second half, though.  Outscoring the Patriots 16-6 in the third quarter, Morristown West pulled ahead, and went into the fourth quarter 39-38.  The final quarter of regulation play was very much a battle.  With a back and forth game of cat and mouse, the Trojans seemed to be pulling away. There was only a matter of seconds left in the game, but the Patriots would rally, and with the help of a couple of sloppy fouls from the Trojans defense, the Patriots came back to tie the game 51 all.  Dumplin Valley went wild with excitement!

Overtime play was the Patriots’ time to shine, as they quickly pulled ahead, with Cameron Gregg and Grant Seale both making impactful goals.  With the help of a couple more fouls from a nerve-ridden Trojan defense, the Jefferson County Patriots boys protected their turf as the student section chanted “WARM UP THE BUS.”

Danny Bates led in scoring for the Patriots Tuesday night, with 21 points.  Cameron Gregg had an impressive 12 points, while Noah Carter and Troy Dobyns also had very strong games with 8 points each.

The Patriots are now gearing up to face another battle, as they are travel to Morristown East on Friday.

Staff Photo by Angie Stanley