The championship day of the 2021 Claiborne County Varsity Basketball Tournament sponsored by Seibers Custom Drywall and Painting, Valley Mine Service and Fincastle United Methodist Church was held, December 16 at Cumberland Gap High School. There were two consolation games in front of the two championship games to see who had the best varsity basketball teams in Claiborne County.
Up first, was a girl’s consolation game featuring Soldier’s Memorial and Forge Ridge. The Lady Dragons built up a 9-4 first period lead. SMMS started playing better in the second period, but the Lady Dragons led at the half, 20-10. Forge Ridge moved out to lead 27-12 with 3:13 showing on the third period clock. They led after three periods, 29-12. During the final period, The Lady Dragons completed the victory by the final score of 35-14. Leading Forge Ridge in scoring was Gracie Barton with 12, Kaydence Daniels had 11, Macy England had eight, Briley Colinger and Maybree Collingsworth both had two. Emma Ferguson led SMMS with eight and three others finished with two including Alyssa Daniels, Jaylynn Brooks and Jossilyn Robbins.
SMMS fourth place
Forge Ridge third place
Next on the floor were H.Y. Livesay and Powell Valley for the boy’s consolation game. The two teams played a close first period at 8-8. Livesay used the second period to pull ahead by five at 19-14. Powell Valley got right back in contention during the third period. The Indians were down by only three points as the period ended, 23-20. The Indians began the final period with three empty possessions due to turnovers and that allowed Livesay to inch away on the scoreboard. 34-26 was the final score with the Eagles finishing third. Johnny Wilder led Livesay in scoring with 13 and two others had 10 points including Kole Carter and Brady Harris. Jed Bailey finished the total with two. Powell Valley was led by Kolton Goins with 10, Braydon Boyd had six, Colby Weaver had five, Hunter Ellison and Braden Lane completed the total each with two points.
Livesay third place
Powell Valley Fourth Place
The girl’s championship game was next. The Lady Eagles pulled out to a 6-0 lead. Springdale had no answer to match Livesay’s speed and length. At the end of the first period, Livesay had a comfortable lead at 19-0. During the second period, Springdale finally got on the board but H.Y. continued to move the scoreboard. At the half, the Lady Eagles were ahead 31-7. After the break, the Lady Eagles kept momentum on their side and finished the third leading 39-9. The Lady Eagles won the Claiborne County Varsity Championship by the final score of 49-16. Brinkley Hollin led the Lady Eagles with 22. Jayla Bailey had 10, Jaylee Hayes had nine and Jenna Middleton had eight. Springdale was led by Emily Buchanan along with Jacey Ferguson both having six points. Graci Cupp and Hope Cole both finished with two points.
HY Livesay Girls Champions
Springdale girls second place
The final game was the boy’s championship featuring Springdale and Forge Ridge. The Dragons led 3-0 two minutes in and 5-2 after one period of play. The Dragons pulled out to lead 12-2 with 4:08 showing on the second period clock. Springdale made a run later in the period and the Owls were six points behind at the half, 15-9. Coming out of the break, Springdale used the third to inch closer and when the deficit was five points Forge Ridge wanted a timeout. At the end of the third, Forge Ridge remained in front, 19-13. Forge Ridge did what they needed to do for the championship and the final score was 26-16. Leading the Dragons in scoring was Colton Jones with 13, Cole Adams had 10, Gabriel Daniels finished with two and Gavin Surber had one point. Springdale was led by Drew Epperson and Corbin Whitaker both with four points. Chase Robinette had three. Owen Medlin and Owen Stone both had two and Lucas Thomas finished the total with a single point.
Forge Ridge boy’s champions
Springdale second place
The girl’s all-tournament team included Olivia Ulrich, Zoey Nelson, Jadyn Meyers, Tayleigh Stansberry, Kaydence Daniels, Gracie Barton, Emily Buchanan, Chloe Cupp, Jacey Ferguson, Jenna Middleton, Jayla Bailey, Jaylee Hayes, Jaelynn Jones and the MVP was Brinkley Hollin.
Girls all tournament
The boy’s all-tournament selections were Bryson Ballard, Braeden Bennett, Kaden Lovin, Kolton Goins, Johnny Wilder, Brady Harris, Owen Medlin, Chase Robinette, Corbin Whitaker, Gabriel Daniels, Austin Michael, Cole Adams, Gavin Surber and the MVP was Colton Jones.
Boys All Tournament
H.Y. Livesay won both the dance and cheer competitions. Midway finished second in dance. Springdale finished second in cheer and Midway was third.
HY Livesay Cheer First place
HY Livesay Dance First Place
Midway Cheer third place
Midway Dance second place
Springdale Cheer second place
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