Indians claim share of Big East crown, Science Hill girls knock off D-B

KINGSPORT — Dobyns-Bennett found themselves locked in an old-fashioned rock fight with the rival Hilltoppers of Science Hill on Friday night when Tyree Thomas took matters into his oversized hands. Thomas was the key catalyst during an 11-0 run in the third-quarter that allowed the Indians to get some breathing room. The Tribe followed that up with a barrage of 3-point shots early in the fourth quarter to claim a 48-32 victory in the final Big East Conference game of the year for both teams. The Indians improved to 23-7 on the season and finished 7-1 in conference play, good enough to give them a share of the Big East regular-season championship along with Morristown West. Science Hill fell to 14-15 overall and 4-4 in league play. Thomas, who scored all nine of his points during the pivotal run, said the key was being aggressive in the paint. "I was really just attacking their big man," Thomas said. "I was able to get around him and find open shots." D-B led 17-11 at the half before Science Hill closed the gap with a quick 7-0 run early in the third quarter, culminating with an old-fashioned 3-point play by Stephen Hensley to pull Science Hill within a point. Thomas reeled off eight consecutive points, pulled down a defensive rebound that led to a fast-break bucket, and added another free throw to put D-B up 32-20 with 2:02 left in the third quarter. Elijah Thomas opened the fourth quarter with a pair of 3-pointers, and Henry Hill added a 3 of his own to push the lead out to 43-28. At the outset of the contest, the Tribe quickly jumped out to a 5-0 lead to start the game and held an 8-5 advantage at the end of the first quarter. Mac Gilbert knocked down a 3-pointer with 5:27 remaining before halftime to pull the Hilltoppers even at 10, but that was Science Hill's final basket of the quarter. The Tribe put together a quick 7-0 run - helped by four Science Hill turnovers - and led 17-11 at the half. T.J. Maxwell came up with a couple interior buckets during the 7-0 spurt, which was capped off by a Jaylen Thomas 3-pointer. Elijah Thomas led D-B with 11 points while Hill, Jaylen Thomas, and Maxwell added seven each. Stephen Hensley paced Science Hill with 12 points. Science Hill 52, Dobyns-Bennett 45 (Girls) The Lady Indians hit the Lady Hilltoppers with a 16-1 run that had all the makings of a game-winner. The spurt, capped off by a 3-pointer by Ariana Thomas, put D-B ahead 43-31 with 6:19 to play with all the momentum their side. But D-B coach Bill Francis knew better. "I knew it wouldn't be," he said. "Those guys don't go away. They've been like that all season. They just get right back in it. We told (our players) they've got a good run in them, and we've just got to withstand it." After a timeout, freshman guard Amiah Lewis hit back-to-back 3-pointers to spark Science Hill's comeback. The Lady Hilltoppers finished the game on a 21-2 run to score a road victory over their rivals in the Big East Conference finale for both teams. Science Hill moved to 13-15 overall and 3-5 in league play with the win while D-B slid to 15-11 and 3-5. Lewis was out with an injury for most of the season, but she emerged in the knick of time for Science Hill. "She's only played maybe a quarter of the season," said Science Hill coach Beau Hauldren. "She's constantly in the gym, every morning at 6:15 putting up shots. For her to be able to get us on that is a big deal. It should be very rewarding for her. Khloe Sommers was also a key cog in Science Hill's attack, hitting several clutch shots en route to a team-high 18 points. Lewis and Audrey Adams finished with 11 points each. Meanwhile, Reese Haselton singlehandedly staked the Tribe to a 23-19 halftime lead. Haselton scored all of D-B's 16 second-quarter points and finished with a game-high 20. Sally McReynolds added 12 points for the Tribe.