District Champs!!!
JCHS District Champs
Staff Photo by Mike Stanley, Jefferson County Post Sports
JCHS District Champs
Staff Photo by Mike Stanley, Jefferson County Post Sports
JCHS District Champs
Staff Photo by Mike Stanley, Jefferson County Post Sports
On a night where the intensity was sky high, the Jefferson County Patriots were able to top the Sevier County Smoky Bears, 51-36, for the district 2-3A tournament championship. Sevier County came in to the contest, red hot, winners of six straight games. The Smoky Bears were also averaging 58.3 points per game in their last 3 ball games. For Sevier County their 36 points were the fewest they had scored dating back to the 32 they scored on December 13th against the Patriots. The Patriot 15 point win was the largest in margin in their 3 games against the Smoky Bears this season.
Nerves were evident in the first quarter as both teams struggled to put the ball in the hoop. Jefferson County would lead after one however, 8-2. The second quarter had definite championship intensity, as the defensive aggressiveness was fierce and highly competitive. The Patriots would take a 9 point lead in to the half, 19-10. The second half would start out much differently than the first , both teams found their shooting touch and Jefferson County would take a 36-24 advantage into the final stanza. Senior Brice Cusick would send the crowd into a frenzy at the 3:51 mark, as Danny Bates drove to the rim for a contested shot that rolled off the front of the rim, Cusick would slam it home on the put back. Another Cusick slam dunk along the baseline with 1:40 remaining would give the Patriots a 48-34 lead. The game would end with a few free throws by both teams, and the Patriots marched to a district championship, 51-36.
“It’s awesome.” Jefferson County coach Chris Poore said on the feeling of winning the championship. “It’s special to close out the way we did, the season was tough, the tournament was even tougher. There is a great group of coaches and teams that can knock you off any night.”
Jefferson County was led in scoring by junior John Bryant with 16 points, followed by fellow big man Brice Cusick with 15. Danny Bates would add 9 points, while Noah Carter and Kyle Briggs would score 6 and 5 respectively. With the win the Patriots improve to 27-4 overall and will host Science Hill (20-11) Saturday night at 7 p.m. in the first round of the region tournament.
*** Lady Patriots Win District Tournament***
The Lady Patriots won the district championship on the girl’s side as well. They defeated previously undefeated Morristown West 59-50. The Lady Patriots had lost the previous 2 meetings with the Lady Trojans but won it when it counted most. The Lady Patriots will host Daniel Boone Friday night at 7p.m.in the first round of the region tournament.
