Britton, Story help Daniel Boone to Hardee's Classic crown

JONESBOROUGH — Laney Britton has been part of the winning team at the Hardee's Classic for two different schools. The Daniel Boone senior did it at David Crockett, and did it again on Saturday, this time for the Trailblazers, earning Most Valuable Player honors in helping the Trailblazers to a three-game sweep in capturing the 36th annual Hardee's Classic girls championship with a 58-43 win over Science Hill on Saturday night at David Crockett High School. Britton, along with Daniel Boone teammate, Aaliyah Story, both transferred to Daniel Boone in the offseason, and brought the same winning attitude with them. "We weren't going to come here and lose," Britton said. "We just wanted to have the good mindset and come together as a team." They have through five games, including defeating Volunteer, Cocke County and Science Hill to capture the three-day Hardee's Classic crown, with Britton joined on the all-tournament team by Mississippi State commit Andrea Flores (15 points), Story (14 points) and Ella Wilson (nine points). "Very unselfish, played together, defensively, we played really well," Daniel Boone head coach John Good said. "We are still trying to work out some things, offensively still trying to figure out our strengths and everything like that, but I thought defensively we were locked in and I thought they were unselfish and gave outstanding effort." Daniel Boone (5-0) jumped out to a 7-0 lead before the Hilltoppers pulled within 12-11 early in the second quarter. The Trailblazers rolled from there, taking a 28-18 lead into the halftime break and 50-29 advantage going into the final period. "They are really good and we knew that coming in," Science Hill head coach Beau Hauldren said. "Our girls know that and they know they are a good team and they are coached well and they are going to win a bunch of games this year, there is no doubt about that." Despite the loss, Hauldren was pleased with his Hilltoppers (3-2), who placed three players on the all-tournament team, including Khloe Summers, who had 15 points, Clara Crowe, who tossed in 12 and Audrey Adams, who was held scoreless, but played well overall in three games. Allie Conner added eight points for the 'Toppers. "Everybody saw the score, it was a 13-point ball game. Obviously they are very good, they are very talented, coached very well," Hauldren said. "I was very happy with the way we played tonight. I thought we competed, I thought it was one of our better games defensively. I thought it was our best game offensively. I know we only scored 45 points, but we had the pace at where we wanted it to be at." Much is expected from Daniel Boone this season, which won the District 1-4A championship last season without Britton or Story on their side. The goal ahead is lofty for the Trailblazers. "I just want to get along and play as a team and come together and hopefully we can win a state championship one day," Britton said. "That is why I just want to be a team player." BOYS South Greene 64, Volunteer 56 It took overtime, but South Greene won its third straight Hardee's Classic title by outscoring the Falcons, 12-4, in the extra period. Gavin Dyer, who earned Most Valuable Player honors, scored 22 points, including six points in overtime, as the Rebels tied it at 52 with 28 seconds remaining and then outscored the Falcons from that point. "A physical ball game for both sides, just like the other night," said Volunteer head coach Zac Crawford, whose Falcons rallied from an 18-point fourth quarter deficit to defeat Cocke County in Friday's semifinal round. "They are a well-disciplined team, they are really good program, hats off to coach. "They have won this things three times in a row, great program. This is the highest we have been finished in this thing in all the times we have played here." Cayden Fillers added 13 points for South Greene, while Will Arrowood added nine. Lucas Couch was the fourth all-tournament selection for the Rebels. Fourty-eight fouls were called, including 29 on Volunteer, resulting in plenty of foul trouble. Crawford dug deep into his bench, and was pleased with their contributions, including six points from Colton Miller. "Foul trouble is going to happen in ball games so you have to stay ready instead of having to get ready on the bench. You never know who we will throw out there," Crawford said. "Everybody on the bench has to be ready to play." Among those lost to fouls was Dobyns-Bennett transfer Jeremiah Jones, who finished 16 points. Fellow former Indian, Amarion Graves, added nine points, and joined Jones and Griffin Head on the all-tournament team. Head connected for 20 points, including four 3s, providing a steady presence that the Falcons depend on. "He has been a big player the last three years. A great kid, a great ballplayer, a high basketball IQ, knows the expectations," Crawford said. "There is a lot of weight that he carries with us because he is our leader and he handles it really well." *** Hardee's Classic All-Tournament Team GIRLS MVP: Laney Britton, Daniel Boone Daniel Boone - Andrea Flores, Aaliyah Story, Ella Wilson; Science Hill - Audrey Adams, Clara Crowe, Khloe Summers; Cocke County - Brookelyn Clevenger, Blakelyn Clevenger; David Crockett - Kayleigh Doner. BOYS MVP: Gavin Dyer, South Greene South Greene - Cayden Fillers, Lucas Couch, Will Arrowood; Volunteer -Jeremiah Jones, Amarion Graves, Griffin Head; David Crockett - Nolan Street; Cocke County - Will Sutton.