GATLINBURG, Tenn. — The East Hall boys held on for a thrilling 70-68 victory over Hazard (Ky.) on Saturday night to win the Smoky Mountain Winter Classic tournament.
The Vikings (11-2) led 14-11 early but fell behind 32-31 at halftime. But the offense heated up in the second half.
Behind 22 points from Jordan Richerson, including 6 3-pointers, they drained a season-high 14 treys on the game and ran out to a 55-51 lead heading into the fourth quarter.
Bray Langston added 19 points and Khalil Goss had 12, including hitting 4 3-pointers, for East Hall. Jamarcus Harrison had 9 points for the Vikings.
East Hall will be back in action on Friday at home against Oconee County in both teams’ Region 8-3A openers.
CHEROKEE BLUFF 86,
ROME 76
The Bears ran their win streak to 8-straight and captured their second tournament title in a week with a big win over the Class 5A Wolves in the Bluff Holiday Classic finals on Saturday.
Cooper Glover had a huge game to lead Bluff (14-1) with 25 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 steals. Tyler Underwood scored 19 points to go with 5 rebounds and 3 assists for the Bears.
Boston Kersh added 18 points with 4 rebounds and Andy Quirarte had 15 points and 3 assists for Cherokee Bluff.
Bluff will be back in action on Friday traveling to Monroe Area to open its Region 8-3A schedule.
UNION COUNTY 83,
RABUN COUNTY 62
The Class 2A 4th-ranked (PSR) Panthers moved into the finals of the Battle of the States with a dominating win over their arch-rival Wildcats.
Vince Marevka poured in a game-high 25 points and Maddox Young added 19 points for Union County (10-2).
Hayes Free had 18 points to pace Rabun County (11-3) which saw its 6-game win streak snapped.
The Panthers will take on Franklin (N.C.) on Monday in the finals in Hiawassee.
NORTH HALL 78,
MUNROE (Fla.) 75 OT
Micah Jimerson poured in 26 points to lead the Trojans to a win in a tournament in Panama City.
Gunner Spain had 20 points and Cole Hulsey 19 for North Hall (7-5).
The Trojans will close out their tournament season Monday taking Mosley out of Lynn Haven (Fla.) in the Panama City tournament.
