ERWIN – Elizabethton bested Unicoi County 52-31 Tuesday to keep perfect in Three Rivers Conference play.

Unlike the last time the Cyclones took to the court, Elizabethton did not have to come from behind late like at Sullivan South last week.

“We came out a little more focused tonight,” said Elizabethton head coach Lucas Honeycutt. “I thought it was a great effort, but the execution wasn’t there in a lot of areas, but all in all you get to clear the bench and play everyone it is a good night.”

With the outcome, Elizabethton ran their league record to 5–0 within an overall record of 11-3.

The focus might not have shown on the scoreboard with a lot of points early, as the Cyclones led 7-4 after a quarter. The margin grew to 25-14 at halftime before Nico Ashley turned it on. The junior guard scored 10 of his game-best 16 points in the third quarter as Elizabethton extended the difference to 18.

Parker Hughes had five of his eight points in the second quarter and Evan Perkins did the same feat. Bryson Rollins poured in all six of his points in the first half as nine different Elizabethton players scored in the game.

Unicoi County got nine points from Brock Thompson with six points from Brett Lingerfelt and Gavin Casey.

The Cyclones return to Treadway Gym Friday as Science Hill visits.

“It’s a good series, we love to play that game,” Honeycutt said about the Toppers. “I think it’s good for us and it’s good for them as well. I think our kids are going to come out fired up and play extremely hard as they will as well.”

Girls

Unicoi County 61, Elizabethton 57 

The Lady Cyclones enjoyed a seven-point in the first half, but Unicoi County tied things up at 28 at halftime. The Lady Blue Devils were able to hold on down the stretch as well. Kaylee Hendrickson was clutch late with four free throws in the last 16 seconds to keep Elizabethton at bay. She finished with 16 points.

Morgan Headrick led Elizabethton with 18 points. She had a layup with 18 seconds left to pull the Lady Cyclones closer at 57-56, but that would be the last field goal for Elizabethton. The duo of Kelsie Winters and Kaylen Shell had 10 points each as well for Elizabethton.

The Lady Blue Devils were paced by Chloe Powers with 19 points.