Claiborne High School hosted Grainger, January 11 for four games of basketball. The junior varsity girls stated the evening off, and the Lady Bulldogs started with a 6-0 run that ended at 16-7 after one period of play. Grainger started the second period a different team and started catching the Lady Bulldogs on the scoreboard. Claiborne withstood the test and led at the half, 23-15. The Lady Grizzlies came out of the break and chipped into the Claiborne lead via good three-point shooting. The lead was cut to two points with three minutes left in the third. After three periods, Claiborne was still leading, 30-27. With 6:33 remaining in the game, a fire alarm stopped play for a few minutes. An error in the concession stand had created the alarm but all was well. At 4:35 the Lady Grizz tied the game at 33. Claiborne took the lead back and scored just enough to stay out front for the win at 40-36. Carley Hall led CHS with nine, Channing Buis and Katie Hicks both had eight, Ily Bussell had six, Daisy Bailey had five and Neveah Cobb had four. Grainger was led by Addison Brickey with 12.
Next to take the court were the junior varsity boys. The Grizzlies moved out to a 9-3 advantage and finished the first period leading 16-3. Grainger rolled through the second period and led at the half 33-12. The Grizzlies just kept scoring and led the game after three periods, 46-17. Claiborne made one last run late, but it was not enough. The final was 53-36. Claiborne was led by Evan Thomas with 19, Brady Hamlin had five, Josh Bolton had four, Eli Poore and Vince Bolden both had three and Hunter Greer had two. Carter Briscoe and Ryland Burchett both had 12 to lead the Grizzlies.
The first of two varsity games featured the Lady Bulldogs versus the Lady Grizzlies. Grainger came in highly ranked and a huge favorite. Claiborne placed the first basket on the board but after one period of play the Lady Grizz led 7-2. Surprisingly, Grainger was missing easy layups and not placing the points on the board as quickly as expected; however, Grainger began scoring rapidly during the second period and led 13-4. The Lady Bulldogs helped keep the game messy and in turn the scoring was slow. At the half, Grainger only held a five-point lead at 17-15. Coming out of the break, Grainger seemed to be getting back on track. The Lady Grizzlies rolled on away from Claiborne to lead after three periods 38-23. The Lady Grizzlies went to the bench with three minutes remaining and finished with a 53-33 victory without sinking a single three-pointer. Emma Myatt led CHS with 10, Allie Jones and Hannah Fugate both had nine, Hailey Sexton had four and Taylor Pressnell had one. Alia Maloney led Grainger and all scorers with 20.
The final game of the night featured the boys’ varsity teams. Grainger started with a 15-2 run. Claiborne was only able to drop in four points during the opening period and finished with an 18-4 deficit. During the second period, Grainger pulled on out and finished the half leading 38-14. Claiborne was issued a technical for a hard foul and the ensuing talk afterwards which only fired up the visiting Grizzlies. After the break, Claiborne worked hard during the third period to narrow the gap. The Bulldogs played better but was behind on the scoreboard 60-40 after three periods. During the final period, the Grizzlies completed the victory winning 78-50. CHS was led by Ethan Cupp with 18, Zack Bailey had 12, Landen Wilson had five, Levi Peoples had four, Seth Morelock had two, Daniel Eversole had one as did Tyler Myatt. Grainger was led by Emmanuel Atkins with 24. -AE
The Zone is powered by:
