The Jr. Highlanders are still at it.

Cloudland Elementary will face off with Mary Hughes during the semifinal round of the 2016 TMSAA East Tennessee Sectional Today at 8:15 p.m. inside Cattlesburg Elementary in Sevierville.

“Mary Hughes is a tough team,” Cloudland coach Tyler Chambers said. “But you know, if we play our style of ball and do what we practiced today, we will have a good shot at them.

“Mary Hughes likes to push the ball,” Chambers added. “They like to press you. They have seven shooters that can shoot the lights out of it. They are very athletic.”

To get into the semifinals, the Jr. Highlanders won a tough contest against Caton Chapel Wednesday night. Cloudland used a third-quarter push to get past the Hornets, 50-46.

Cloudland eighth-grader Tristin Lacy led the charge Wednesday with 21 points. The 6-foot-1-inch post player has been a big contributor during the Jr. ’Highlanders’ post -season run, Chambers said.

“Tristin has been tremendous for us,” Chambers said. “They pressed us a little bit, but were able to dish the ball to Lacy. And he finished for us.

“He has came up big for us these past few games,” Chambers added. “Hopefully he come up big for us again.”

After one quarter of play, Cloudland and Caton were tied at eight. Conner Birchfield, Logan Barnett, Lacy, and Hunter Shell all contributed a bucket in first frame.

The second quarter was another neck-in-neck affair as both teams posted 12 points each to head into the half tied at 20. In the second period, Barnett and Lacy both posted four points, while Hunter Shell and Birchfield each provided a basket.

After halftime, the Jr. Highlanders came alive in the third period as they out scored the Hornets 19-7. Leading the third period assault was Hunter Shell who bombed in two 3-pointers and a bucket for eight points. Barnett also hit a trifect in the third, while Lacy tore it up under the goal for six points. Birchfield also had a bucket in the frame.

Heading into the final period, the Jr. ’Landers led 39-27. Caton got the upper hand in the fourth. However, Cloudland’s third-quarter push gave the Highlanders enough cushion to stay alive, posting 11 points to the Hornets 19. The final frame was pretty much all Lacy as he posted nine points to keep his team in it. He was helped out by Hunter Blair, who posted a bucket in quarter.

“We came out in the third quarter and played our game,” Chambers said. “We played solid ball. If we didn’t have that third quarter, it might have been the other way around.”

Lacy was followed up by Hunter Shell, who posted 12 points during Wednesday’s game. Barnett finished up with nine, while Birchfield had six and Blair had two.

If the Jr. Highlander get past Mary Hughes, they will play in the 2016 TMSAA East Tennessee Sectional Championship on Saturday at Cattlesburg Elementary. Despite what happens tonight, there is one thing for certain. Chambers is proud of how his Jr. Highlanders, who are 17-7 on the season, have played this year.

“I am very proud of these boys and the accomplishments we have made,” he said. “Right now, we just want to win it all.”