JV ‘Dogs capture East Christmas tourney
Published 12:23 am Friday, January 3, 2020
1 of 5
Star Photo/Ivan Sanders Tournament MVP Conner Burleson shoots over the top of a Viking defender.
Star Photo/Ivan Sanders Isaiah McCoury of Hampton pulls up for a jump shot in the championship game.
Star Photo/Ivan Sanders Nathan Wilson of Hampton looks to dish the basketball off during the JV 'Dogs win over Tennessee High.
Star Photo/Ivan Sanders Parker Henry of Hampton puts up a short-range jumper.
Star Photo/Ivan Sanders Hampton's Dalton Holtsclaw gets off a tough shot over the outstretched hand of a Viking defender.
BY IVAN SANDERS
STAR SPORTS EDITOR
BLUFF CITY – The Hampton junior varsity Bulldogs didn’t take much rest off during Christmas as the boys took on all challengers in the 12th Annual Mickey Forrester JV Basketball Classic played out in the Dyer Dome at Sullivan East High School.
The ‘Dogs defeated Volunteer in the opening game and followed that up by defeating host Sullivan East in the semifinal game before tangling with the Tennessee High Vikings Tuesday evening coming out on top 66-60 to claim the championship.
Both teams battled it out tooth and nail in the first half with the championship weighing in the balance as the first quarter ended right where the game started all even at 19-all.
Tournament MVP Conner Burleson was a man on the inside leading the ‘Dogs in the opening period with six points – four coming from the free-throw line after being hammered by Viking defenders.
Parker Henry and Dalton Holtsclaw contributed with four points apiece.
Hampton turned up the pressure offensively in the second quarter outscoring Tennessee High 16-10 to take a six-point advantage to the locker room, 35-29.
Holtsclaw added six more points to his total in the period while Logan Whitehead and Burleson knocked down four in the stanza.
The Vikings weren’t about to wave the white surrender flag coming out of the locker room as Tennessee High managed to stay within reach of the Bulldogs as Hampton added a point to their lead, 53-46, heading into the final eight minutes of play.
Tennessee High made a charge at the ‘Dogs in the fourth and final period but Hampton managed to snap back at the Vikings enough to hold off the run and take the win.
Burleson showed why he was tabbed the MVP as the Bulldog used his size to bull inside for 14 points in the second half and 24 for the game to lead his team to the win.
Holtsclaw also played well offensively hitting for 14 points coming off a silky-smooth jumper. Henry finished with eight points before going down with an ankle injury late in the third period.
Whitehead also finished the game with eight points in a contributing effort.
McCoury (5), Nathan Wilson (2), Andon Winters (2), and Michael Harrison (1) closed out the Bulldog scoring.