HAPPY VALLEY— The Unaka Jr. Rangers went down the creek and up the hill chasing a band of Happy Valley Warriors only to be shot down in a double header on the basketball hardwood at Happy Valley Middle School on Monday evening.

In boys play, the Jr. Warriors ran out to a 14-2 lead after one and kept the offensive pressure on throughout to take a 52-29 win.

Will Tittle was overpowering in the opening six minutes to score six of the Jr. Warriors 14 points. Ty Pierce and Noah Stevens ripped the cotton for three points apiece.

Ryan Johnson had the only points of the period for Unaka.

The Jr. Warriors spread the wealth around in the second period as six players scored to keep the heat on the Jr. Rangers as Happy Valley took a 26-11 edge to the locker room at the half.

Unaka also seemed to find the groove offensively in the period with five Jr. Rangers denting the scoring column led by three points from Austin Drew.

The second half showed adjustments made by the Jr. Rangers at the break as Johnson came out smoking hot to keep the boys from Stoney Creek close in the third period as Happy Valley outscored Unaka 18-12 in the stanza.

Johnson tickled the twine for 10 of the 12 points scored for Unaka with two long-range treys in the mix.

Luke Roberts showed the way for the Jr. Warriors with six in the quarter while five more teammates scored at least two points.

With a 44-23 lead going into the final quarter, the Jr. Warriors were able to get some fresh bodies on the floor as Happy Valley won the final period 8-6.

Johnson was the game-high scorer with 14 points for Unaka. Drew and Will Sexton finished with four points each. Andy Blevins tallied three for the Jr. Rangers.

Stevens led the Jr. Warriors with 12 points while Roberts added nine points. James Harmon and Title chipped in with six points apiece for the winner.

Girls

Happy Valley…..41

Unaka…………… 8

The Jr. Lady Warriors used a vast size difference to overwhelm the Jr. Lady Rangers in the opening contest of the night by a 41-8 final.

Unaka had no answer for the Jr. Lady Warriors Morgan Headrick who dumped in a game-high 14 points for Coach Dana Hill’s team.

Olivia Absher and Emily Lunceford knocked down six points each in a contributing effort. Kalee Lane and Torrie Roberts added four and three points respectively.

Beth Lowe led the Jr. Lady Rangers with four points in the contest. Macey Ensor and Trinity Houghton added two points apiece for Unaka.