©2010 NPT PHOTO BY ERIN & RUSSELL LAWS

Smoky Mountain's Max Weeks (middle) splits Edgemont defenders
J.J. Benjamin (left) and Chandler Duckett (right) for two
in semifinal action Friday night at CCHS gymnasium.

NEWPORT-Day 4 of the Cocke County Elementary Basketball Tournament Friday night featured eight semifinalists, four on the boy's side and four on the girl's side.

In girl's semifinal action, Grassy Fork cruised past Cosby 43-15 while Edgemont rolled past Bridgeport 46-21.

In boy's semifinal action, Parrottsville defeated Cosby 36-22 while Edgemont surprised Smoky Mountain 42-34.

That set up Saturday's tournament championship games which featured Grassy Fork going against Edgemont in the girl's title tilt, and Edgemont facing Parrottsville in the boy's title tilt. The consolation games on Saturday had Cosby going against Bridgeport on the girl's side and Cosby taking on Smoky Mountain on the boy's side. All four games were played after Sunday's paper went to press, so check out our web site at www.newportplaintalk.com for the winners, and Tuesday's paper for all of the details.

 

LADY RAVENS ROLL

The Lady Ravens and Lady Eagles played toe-to-toe through the first six minutes, with the Lady Ravens leading by only one, 5-4, at the end of the first quarter.

But, the Lady Ravens turned it up a notch to start the second quarter, and led 14-6 at the break.

The Lady Ravens extended their lead to 15, 24-9, at the end of the third quarter, and then coasted home with the 28-point victory, 43-15, to advance to the championship game.

Dessie Shaffer had a game-high 14 points to lead the Lady Ravens while Katie Mae Lanzon added 10, Peyton Johnson 7, Wendy McGaha 6, Christian Evans 3, Kristan Coggins 2 and Julie McGaha 1.

Madison Norris had 5 points to lead the Lady Eagles, while Tasha Ball and Ivye Fine scored 4 points each and Brooke Schrader and Jaylon Dunn scored 1 point each.

 

EDGEMONT RETURNS

The defending tournament champion Lady Panthers got off to a slow start, but turned up the defensive pressure over the final to quarters to put this one away. The Lady Rockets jumped out to an 11-8 first quarter lead, but the Lady Panthers found their shooting touch over the next six minutes, and took five-point lead, 23-18, into the locker room.

The Lady Panthers increased their lead to 15, 36-21, at the end of the third quarter, and ambled home with the 25-point victory, 46-21, and a familiar spot in the ladies' final on Saturday.

Bethanie Williams had a game-high 16 points to lead the Lady Panthers while Ashley Green added 11, Delessa Stewart and Abigail Chambers getting 6 points each, Taylor Thornton 5 and Sharina Cofield 2.

Alexis Williams had 8 points to lead the Lady Rockets while Allison Frazier added 5, Megan Finchum and Courtney Cox getting three points each and Kaley Burgess scoring 2.

 

PARROTTS FLY HIGHER

The Parrotts are on a roll, and, although the Eagles played them tough through three quarters, the Parrotts had more than enough down the stretch.

Both teams were locked in a defensive struggle early with the Parrotts taking a 4-2 first quarter lead. Both offenses started finding the rim over the next six minutes though, but the game was sill tight with the Parrotts leading the Eagles 15-10 at the break.

The Eagles kept within striking distance, but the Parrotts extended their lead to eight, 28-20, at the end of three. The Parrotts did their biggest damage over the final six minutes, however, and came home with the 14-point victory, 36-22, and a spot in Saturday's championship game.

Jerick Varner had a game-high 12 points to pace the Parrotts while Ike Rouleau added 9, Seth Lovell 7, Ty Chatman 6 and Samuel Hooper 2.

Brody Williams had 7 points to lead the Eagles while Michael Cagle and Jordan Carpenter scored 5 points each, Derrick Norris and Ward Williams each with 2 and Trevor Vincent with 1.

 

PANTHERS SURPRISE

The Smoky Bears were the big favorite, but the Panthers were laying in wait in this semifinal showdown.

The Panthers raced out to a 13-7 first quarter lead, but the Smoky Bears came back to cut the Panthers' lead to four, 21-17, at the half.

Both teams battled back and forth with the Panthers taking a five-point lead, 33-28, into the final frame. The Panthers had more in the tank down the stretch, though, and came away with an eight-point upset victory, 42-34, and a place in Saturday's title game.

Blake Clark had a game-high 14 points to pace the Panthers while Chandler Duckett added 13, Michael Hood 8, Kimbel Thornton 4 and J.J. Benjamin 3.

Max Weeks had 13 points to lead the Smoky Bears while Jacob Grooms had 9, Justin Shelton 7, Lucas Weeks and Jordan Self each scoring 2 and Derrick Weeks 1.

 

Here's a recap of what happened in quarterfinal round play on Thursday night.

 

LADY EAGLES TAKE DOWN FALCONS

    

Despite seeing Centerview build an early first quarter lead, the Lady Eagles were able to make the comeback to dispatch the tournament's No. 5 seed.

Centerview led 12-7 at the end of a quarter and 18-15 at halftime, but Cosby held the Lady Falcons to one point in the third period to make a difference. Cosby took a 20-19 lead after three quarters and then outscored Centerview 12-5 over the final six minutes.

Centerview post player Hannah Burke scored all seven of her points in the first half and was not the focal point of the team's offense in the second half, despite being the tallest player on the floor.

Cosby's comeback was led by Tasha Ball, who scored 26. Ball scored 13 points in each half of play.

Cosby (32): Tasha Ball 26, Ivye Fine 4, Brooke Schroeder 2.

Centerview (24): Hannah Burke 7, Brooke Holt 7, Hannah Miller 6, Leah Lewandowski 4.

 

EAGLES UPSET ROCKETS

The lone upset of the tournament through the first round was No. 5 Cosby taking down the No. 4 seeded Bridgeport Rockets.

Cosby led 19-13 at halftime as Tyler Norris scored six of his nine total points in the opening two quarters.

The Eagles continued to lead 23-16 at the end of three quarters before the Rockets tightened things up in the fourth quarter. Bridgeport got timely baskets in the final period to pull within three and had a chance to tie the game on the final possession, but the shot would not fall.

Cosby (28): Tyler Norris 9, Michael Kagel 5, Derrick Norris 4, Jordan Carpenter 4, Brady Williams 2, Ward Williams 2, Gage Reece 2.

Bridgeport (25): Clint Ramsey 9, Patrick Hurst 7, Austin Ford 5, Blake Gentry 2, Erin Hartsell 2.

 

LADY ROCKETS DOWN SMOKY

Third seed Bridgeport survived a scare against No. 6 Smoky Mountain to advance to the semifinals.

Bridgeport led 15-12 at halftime but the Lady Bears rallied in the third quarter to hold a lead. Smoky Mountain led 20-19 heading into the fourth quarter on the heels of a six-point quarter from Cyara Williams.

However, the Lady Rockets regrouped and were able to hold Smoky Mountain to only two field-goals in the final period of play to earn the win.

Bridgeport (28): Alexis Williams 10, Courtney Cox 7, Kaley Burgess 6, Megan Finchum 3, Allison Frazier 2.

Smoky Mountain (24): Cyara Williams 12, Miranda Williams 6, Courtney Napieralski 4, Alpha Parton 2.

 

EDGEMONT DISPATCHES GRASSY

The tournament's No. 3 seeded Edgemont Panthers had little trouble in eliminating No. 6 seed Grassy Fork.

Edgemont led 20-5 at the end of a quarter and 41-7 at halftime against an injury depleted Ravens squad, who also played without their head coach due to an ejection in the last regular season game of the season.

Kimbel Thornton led Edgemont with 14 first half points, en route to the win.

Edgemont (55): Kimbel Thornton 14, Blake Clark 13, Chandler Duckett 8, Jessie Loveday 6, Michael Hood 6, Kordell Stewart 3, Bryce Poe 2, Cameron Day 2, Bryce Clevenger 1.

Grassy Fork (24): Dakota Moore 12, Cole Shepherd 7, Luke Howell 5.