Tri-Cities Christian boys win twice on final day of Heritage event

MARYVILLE — The Tri-Cities Christian boys basketball team moved to 4-1 on the young season with a pair of wins on Saturday, the final day of the Heritage Thanksgiving Classic, defeating host Heritage, 69-61, as well as Cosby, 80-69. Versus the host Mountaineers (3-2), Tri-Cities Christian exploded for 29 points in the first quarter behind five total made 3-pointers, including three from Lonny Holland, and led 39-34 at halftime. The lead was 54-46 after three periods before Holland's eight fourth-frame points helped seal the victory. Holland finished with 21 points for Tri-Cities Christian and was joined in double figures by Lofton Looney, who had three makes from beyond the arc on his way to 17 points. Aaron Pomrenke (nine points) and Andrew Figueira (eight) were also top contributors. Heritage's Eli Williams and Gaven French made six 3-pointers apiece and shared game-high honors with 24 points. Only four Mountaineers scored and no one else finished with more than three points. Against Cosby (2-2), Tri-Cities Christian opened up a double-digit lead by halftime and was up by more than 20 points en route to a comfortable victory. Ash Fernandes (13 points), Jordan Peters (12), Pomrenke (11) and Ashby Chadwick (11) all finished in double figures for TCC. Lofton Looney and Jordan Looney contributed nine points apiece. Cosby's Cruz Coggins led the game with 29 points, sinking five treys. Darren Chappell added 11 points and Draidan Sneed scored nine. Independent Athletic Ministries 73, Sullivan East 70 BLUFF CITY — The Ravens (4-2) toppled the host Patriots (3-4) on the last day of action at the Food City Thanksgiving Classic on Saturday, staving off Sullivan East's 26-9 fourth-quarter rally after holding leads of 16-10 after a quarter, 41-30 after a half and 20 points, 64-44, following three periods of play. Independent Athletic Ministries, a homeschool program based out of Elizabethton, was led by Connor Lacy (19 points) and Lawson Clark (15). Eli Hubbard piled up a game-high 22 points for Sullivan East, which also had 15 points from Isaac Deal and 12 from Logan Shuttle. Peyton Lingerfelt added eight points. West Ridge 67, Happy Valley 47 BLUFF CITY — The Wolves (6-1) concluded their run at the Food City Thanksgiving Classic with a 20-point victory over the Warriors (1-5) on Saturday at Sullivan East High School. West Ridge's Grant Thompson pitched in a game-high 21 points, finishing 4 of 8 from 3-point range and 5 of 6 from the free throw line. Will Holmes (11 points) and Mason Stump (10) also reached double figures. Jackson Light tacked on nine more points for the Wolves. Happy Valley was led by Lane Parker's 13 points and 10 from Jackson Fenner. Austin Stines tallied eight more points for the Warriors. Tennessee High 65, Clinton 54 BLUFF CITY — The Vikings (7-0) remained perfect on the young season with a victory over the Dragons (4-3) on the final day of the Food City Thanksgiving Classic at Sullivan East High School on Saturday. Tennessee trailed 13-11 after the first quarter, but jumped into the lead 28-21 by halftime was up by double digits by the end of the third period. The effort was led by a game-high 26 points from Braden Howard. Reed Miller (12 points) and Austin Thomas (10) joined him in double figures. Clinton had a trio of double-digit scorers in Bryson Maddux (20 points), Jaxson Alcorn (16) and Tristen Lundy (12). Hampton 74, KACHEA 32 BLUFF CITY — The Bulldogs (4-2) breezed past the Wildcats (1-6) on Saturday to conclude their participation in Sullivan East High School's Food City Thanksgiving Classic. Eleven different Hampton players found the scorebook in the victory. The Bulldogs were led by Tuff Robinson (16 points), Colby Clark (15) and Chase Davenport (14). Talon Creed and Bryce Fagan pitched in with six points each. The Kingsport Area Christian Home Education Association's leading performers were Daniel Joyner (eight points), Zane Hayes (six) and Andrew Joyner (six). GIRLS Tennessee High 57, Unicoi County 30 ELIZABETHTON — The Lady Vikings (5-1) breezed to a Valley Forge Auction Thanksgiving Classic victory over the Lady Blue Devils (2-3) on the final day of the event on Saturday at Happy Valley High School. Tennessee had a double-digit duo in Addie Wilhoit with 22 points and Addi Moore with 15. Supplying eight points apiece were Taylor Carmody and Jasmine Jones. Beooklynn Sparks (11 points) was tops for Unicoi County. Her effort was supplemented by a pair of five-point performances by Laney Rogers and Emma Grace Anders. Bearden 58, Sullivan East 23 BLUFF CITY — The host Lady Patriots (1-6) couldn't keep pace with the Lady Bulldogs (5-1) on Saturday, the last day of competition at the Food City Thanksgiving Classic. Emma Whitaker led Sullivan East with 14 points. Sophie Johnson scored four points and Natalie Holt had three. Game-high honors went to Natalya Hodge (24 points) of Bearden. Riley Hunt (eight points), Emma Rainey (eight) and Mary LeMarbre (six) added to the winning total.