NEWPORT-A nail-biter turned into heartbreak on Tuesday evening for Cocke County. 

Trailing by just one in the final seconds to Sevier County, a pair of shots came up short for the Fighting Cocks as they ultimately fell, 49-48.

Jacob White got a solid look inside and appeared to draw a foul, which would have given Cocke County (14-9, 6-5) a chance to tie or win the game.

No foul was called however, which led to several seconds of displeasure and disarray from Cocke County coaches, players and fans and gave Sevier County (22-3, 11-2) a key win in District 2-AAA play.

“They always say you don’t want the whistle to dictate the outcome of the game, but the no-calls when they get fouled at the end, that does dictate the outcome of the game,” Cocke County head coach Ray Evans said. “I think that was just a poor no-call, very poor.”

Cocke County (14-9, 6-5) got the look they wanted on the final possession. After Dylan Dockery converted a three point play with 35 seconds left to cut the lead to one, the Fighting Cocks tried to run a similar play the next time down the floor after a pair of missed free throws from Sevier
County’s Devin Schmidt.

For the full story, see the January 31 edition of the Newport Plain Talk.