JCHS Boys Take 2nd in District, Advance to Regional Championship Saturday

Staff Photo by Angie Stanley

The Jefferson County Boys basketball team traveled to Morristown East High School to face off against the Sevier County Smoky Bears for the IMAC District Championship Tuesday Night.

The night began with the Patriots pulling ahead quickly, shocking the Smoky Bears.  JCHS’s Cameron Gregg and Darius Allen both made exceptional shots from beyond the arch.  Even though the Patriots came out strong, the Smoky Bears would start to come back in the final minutes of the first, catching up to within 2 points to end out the quarter.  The battle continued in the second quarter, with Grant Seal rocking it from the three point line and Danny Bates making pivotal layup shots.  The Smoky Bears would not go down with out a fight, and had an answer for every point made by the Patriots.  The half ended with the score locked up, 27 all.

Staff Photo by Angie Stanley

The second half started a new fire for the Smoky Bears, and Jefferson County allowed 4 turnovers in the third quarter.  The Smoky Bears took advantage of the hole in the defenses of the Patriots, and pulled ahead late in the third, 45-34.  Halfway through the fourth quarter, JCHS started to rally back, sparked by an exciting layup by Noah Carter, assisted by Danny Bates.  Unfortunately, the Smoky Bears refused to go into hibernation, and the Jefferson County Patriots fell just short of the IMAC Championship, 64-54, and earned a second place title.

Staff Photo by Angie Stanley

The Smoky Bear defense limited top scorers Danny Bates and Cameron Gregg to only 13 points each for the night, and lured 12 turnovers from the Patriots.

Congratulations to Noah Carter, Cameron Gregg, and Danny Bates for not only making the all-tournament team, but also the IMAC all-conference team.

The Jefferson County Patriots will begin the State Regional Tournament on Saturday, February 27.  The game will be at Jefferson County High School at 7:00 p.m.

Staff Photo by Angie Stanley