Tri-Cities Christian boys top Alcoa on first day of Turnkey Classic

KNOXVILLE — The Tri-Cities Christian boys basketball team knocked off Alcoa 68-58 on Friday's first day of action at the Turnkey Hardwood Classic, hosted by Knoxville Webb. The Eagles (6-2) were nearly doubled up by the Tornadoes (3-2) in the first period, trailing 19-10, but surged ahead 39-34 by halftime and were up nine points, 51-42, after three periods, on their way to the 10-point victory. Tri-Cities Christian's Lonny Holland led the game with 17 points. He was one of a quartet of Eagles to finish in double figures ahead of Lofton Looney (16 points), Aaron Pomrenke (16) and Justin Akengbowa (13). Jamir Dean, Jay Kirk and Kamden Lanxter all finished with 14 points for Alcoa. Jibriel Koko also was a top contributor with 12 points. Unicoi County 76, Johnson County 43 ERWIN — The Blue Devils (4-3, 2-0) remained unbeaten in District 1-2A play with a blowout of the visiting Longhorns (2-4, 1-1) on Friday, jumping ahead by 20 points, 58-38, by the end of the third period. Unicoi County was topped by a game-high 27 points from Jackson Simmons. A.J. Thomas (14 points) and Cade Peterson (13) also finished in double figures. Zach Jenkins, Avery Hatcher and Carter Simmons added five points apiece. For Johnson County, Carson Jennings (13 points), Landin Lipford (11) and Dylan Warren (10) led the way. Cherokee 78, North Greene 71 ROGERSVILLE — The Chiefs (6-2) pulled out a win at home over the Huskies (2-5) on Friday, rallying from a first-quarter deficit and a halftime tie to do so. Cherokee had four double-figure scorers in Gavin Lawson (16 points), Landon Jeffers (15), Elijah Carmack (13) and Isaiah Jones (10). Branson Mowell added seven for the hosts. Tyler Britton scored a game-high 26 points for North Greene. Havoc Fair (16 points), Thomas Darnell (14) and Isaac Gaby (13) also led the way. Morristown West 64, David Crockett 39 MORRISTOWN — The Pioneers (5-3) couldn't keep pace with the host Trojans (5-2) in Friday's non-district contest, falling behind 23-7 after a quarter of play. Truman Borden led David Crockett with 18 points. Nolan Street added seven points and Cam Gouge scored five in the loss. William DesGroseilliers paced the contest with 24 points for Morristown West. Jake Bunch added eight points and Julian Sexton, T.J. Walthall, Jamere Williams and Cole Fonk all tallied seven. Holston 38, Twin Springs 33 DAMASCUS, Va. — The Titans (2-3) fell to the Cavaliers (2-1) in a low-scoring non-region contest on the road on Friday despite leading 13-7 after one frame. Pietro Liberatore led Twin Springs with 14 points and Clay Ross tallied 11. Tristan Vicars pitched in five for the visitors. Zac Cornett paced Holston with 14 points. Benny Wuerz (nine points), Jo Norman (six) and Brodie Richardson (five) also pitched in. GIRLS Johnson County 76, Unicoi County 70 ERWIN — The Lady Longhorns (2-6, 2-0) stayed undefeated in District 1-2A action with a road victory over the Lady Blue Devils (4-6, 0-2) on Friday evening after jumping out to a 24-10 lead after one period and holding on through a late rally. Mackenzie McClain paced the game for Johnson County with 23 points and was followed closely by teammates Audrey Shaw (18 points) and Abby Dickens (17). Ella Icenhour added seven points for the visitors. Brooklynn Sparks totaled 22 points for Unicoi County, which also received 13 points from Carly Baxter and 11 from Emma Grace Anders. Kaley Toney and Abigail Vidrio supplied seven more apiece. Volunteer 58, Sullivan East 36 BLUFF CITY — In a game that was tied 11-11 after a quarter, a 20-2 second-period advantage for the Lady Falcons (4-4) powered them past the host Lady Patriots (2-6) in non-district play on Friday evening. Emma Miller led the game with 24 points for Volunteer, whose Elizabeth Byington added 17 more. Emilee Mailloux supplied eight points in the win. Sullivan East was led by Emma Whitaker (11 points) and Marley Hall (eight). Cherokee 49, North Greene 38 ROGERSVILLE — The Lady Chiefs (9-1) handed the Lady Huskies (6-1) their first loss of the winter in a non-region game that was tied 11-11 after a quarter and still just a one-point affair after three periods at home on Friday evening. Kenady Deal led Cherokee and the game with 19 points and was joined in double-digit scoring by Rylee Sivert (10 points). Addie Lawson added eight points and Brooke Nelson and Lilliana Ferrell finished with six apiece. Cadie McDevitt and Tralyn Southerland led North Greene with 11 points each. Ella Head and Natalie Foshie both scored six points. Gate City 48, John S. Battle 13 BRISTOL, Va. — The Lady Blue Devils (5-0, 1-0) routed the winless Lady Trojans (0-4, 0-1) on the road in the teams' Mountain 7 District-opener on Friday evening, building a double-digit lead by halftime and holding the hosts off the board entirely in the third period. Adrianna Lane scored a game-high 17 points for Gate City in the win. Addison Keller (13 points) and Candi Keller (11) also ended up in double figures. Messie Mizelle (six points) and Lila Eads (four) led John S. Battle.