Boone boys, Crockett girls win District 1-3A games

BLUFF CITY — The Daniel Boone boys and David Crockett girls eliminated homestanding Sullivan East in the District 1-3A basketball play-in games on Friday night. Both Washington County teams advanced to next week's Region 1-3A tournament with their victories. The Trailblazers controlled the action from start-to-finish in a 60-45 win over the Patriots Daniel Boone (13-17), a team comprised of mainly first-year varsity players, led 16-7 at the end of one quarter, and was ahead 23-15 at halftime. The Trailblazers expanded the lead throughout the second half, eventually ahead by much as 22 points. "We came into this game knowing none of these guys have been in this game, a win or the season ends," Daniel Boone coach Cody Connell said. "I kept telling them what it would be like. I'm super proud of my guys with who hard they're playing. Those 50/50 balls, we got those which were massive." The defensive effort included holding the Patriots to 27 points over the first three quarters. Offensively, Connor Carpenter hit four shots from 3-point range and led Boone with 16 points. Jackson Miller accounted for 11 points and seven rebounds. Luke Lawrence had nine points and four assists, while Luka Petrovic came through with seven points and six rebounds. Logan Shuttle was the leading scorer with 14 points for East which finished 11-20 on the year. Eli Hubbard scored 10 points and Grady Burke ended with eight. Connell was proud of his team's play in the paint, and all they've achieved this season. "We controlled the game around the rim tonight," Connell said. "We can't even look at the wins. We have to also look at the close games we've lost. We're a few possessions away from the flipping the record and being at 20 wins. This group is such a joy to coach." GIRLS David Crockett 59, Sullivan East 47 The Lady Pioneers (7-17) rallied from an 11-point deficit at halftime to turn the tables on the Lady Patriots. Crockett switched from a man-to-man defense to a 2-2-1 zone trap which helped them go on a 17-2 run in the third quarter and ultimately score the victory. Kayleigh Doner, the Lady Pioneers' dynamic point guard, led the way with 18 points. Briana Watson contributed 12 points and Autumn Wynn hit double figures with 10 points. "I told them it was going to be their last game if they keep on playing like the first half," Lady Pioneers coach Latisha Belcher said. "Briana had a great practice prior. She's very strong and smart, really good when she slows down. Then, Kayleigh is a great offensive player, a great defensive player and a great leader." Sullivan East led 14-11 at the end of one quarter, but pulled away in the second to hold a 30-19 advantage at the half. Then, the Crockett pressure got the best of them in the second half. Marley Hall had a game-high 19 points to lead the Lady Patriots. Audrey Easley finished with a dozen points as East ended its season at 8-21. Up 42-37 at the end of three quarters, Doner had back-to-back steals and scores at the start of the fourth to help Crockett pull away. "We knew coming into the second half that we needed to lock in and do what we had to do," Doner said. "We've got a lot of freshmen on our team so we're still trying to get all the things with the 1-on-1 (defense). So, the press worked best for us." Doner described the satisfaction of advancing to the region tournament after the Lady Pioneers were hard hit by graduation and the transfers of three top players before the season. "A lot of people doubted us," Doner said. "I'm proud of us for sticking together." NEXT UP Daniel Boone advances to face Tennessee High in Saturday's late boys game. David Crockett will face rival Daniel Boone on the girls' side.