Hampton outplays Unicoi Co. on the road
Published 12:56 am Wednesday, February 2, 2022
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Star Photo/Carter Nagy Morgan Lyons finds a tough basket against a tough Unicoi Co. defense.
Star Photo/Carter Nagy Cadon Buckles drives the basketball hard to the rim for Hampton.
Star Photo/Carter Nagy Bulldog guard Isaiah McCoury works the ball around the top of the key.
Star Photo/Carter Nagy Hampton's Piper Helle pushes the ball quickly up the floor for the Lady 'Dogs.
Star Photo/Carter Nagy Lady Bulldog Macy Henry is congratulated by her teammates after drawing a foul on a move to the basket.
Star Photo/Carter Nagy Hampton's Linsey Jenkins eyes the rim as she prepares to fire a free throw.
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BY CARTER NAGY
ERWIN – The Hampton Bulldogs traveled to Unicoi County to take on the Unicoi Co. Blue Devils Tuesday evening.
Girls
Hampton ….. 64
Unicoi Co. …. 57
The Lady Bulldogs started slow being down 7-2 at the start of the first quarter. They quickly picked up their momentum and off a series of three-pointers, tied the game at 10 late in the first.
Madi McClain helped the Bulldogs stay in the game. This quarter was a fight as the score was 20-18 Lady Devils at the end of the first.
The second quarter started slow due to both teams being in the bonus as the Lady Bulldogs struggled with fouls in the quarter. This lead was once again battled for in this quarter with both teams battling tooth and nail.
Thanks to Lindsey Jenkins who had five points in the quarter, the score going into halftime was 32-31 Lady Bulldogs.
In the third, both teams played aggressively, yet managed to avoid getting into foul trouble. The Lady Bulldogs managed to take a 48-44 lead. Hampton’s offense played a big part in keeping the lead this quarter.
In the fourth, the Lady Bulldogs gained the lead and never let up. They managed to score 16 with help from Macy Henry and Taylor Berry.
The Lady Bulldogs walked away with a 64-57 win.
Boys
Hampton ……. 83
Unicoi Co. …… 74
The Bulldogs had a quick start thanks to Isaiah McCoury and Michael Harrison. Both teams had similar play styles, creating yet another back-and-forth game. The Bulldogs managed to gain a 24-20 lead by the end of the first.
The Bulldogs didn’t let up in the second as they kept firing threes and were connecting on almost all of them. The Bulldogs were also put in the bonus early in the second helping them keep a large lead.
Logan Whitehead had six points in the quarter, which helped the Bulldogs extend their lead. Going into the half off a Bulldog three-point buzzer-beater, the score was 46-36 Hampton.
The Blue Devils remained scoreless for over half the third. The Bulldogs brought their best defense this quarter and managed to stay away from fouls.
The Bulldog’s lead managed to grow tremendously this quarter which was partially due to Morgan Lyons having 10 in the quarter as the ‘Dogs went into the fourth with a 67-51 lead.
In the fourth it seemed there was no coming back for the Blue Devils as the Bulldogs stuck to what they do best in moving the ball and finding an open shot.
The Blue Devils defense was often getting mixed up which allowed open shots in the paint and from beyond the arc.
Hayden Campbell was the go-to man in the paint scoring five in the fourth. With two minutes left, the Blue Devils gained control of their defense and managed to get a handful of steals which lead to the Blue Devils cutting the Bulldog’s lead.
There simply was not enough time for the Blue Devils as the Bulldogs headed back to Carter County with an 83-74 win.
