North Greene throws muzzle on Bulldogs in second half to capture Region 1 1-A title

Published 12:13 am Friday, March 4, 2022

By Ivan Sanders

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BY IVAN SANDERS
STAR SPORTS EDITOR
GRAY – It was the fourth contest of the season between the North Greene Huskies and the Hampton Bulldogs with Hampton holding a 2-1 edge.
However, in a game that carried larger ramifications with a home game in the sectional at stake, Hampton built a 35-19 lead at the break before an arctic cold front came over the ‘Dogs in the third quarter allowing North Greene to rally and as a result battle the ‘Dogs down the stretch to take a heart breaking 49-47 victory over Hampton.
The loss sends Hampton on the road Monday to Harriman to take on the Blue Devils in sectional action with the winner advancing to the state tournament in Murfreesboro.
Cadon Buckles had the hot hand early on nailing 14 points in the opening 16 minutes of play. Hayden Campbell and Conor Burleson worked the paint near the goal to the tune of six points apiece while Morgan Lyons totaled five points.
Logan Whitehead also added four to the Hampton scoring ledger.
Ollie Saarela knocked down 10 points to keep the deficit from being more. Jason Britton added a trey while Jan Hillerman, Jasper Brand, and Tyler Sanchez netted two points each for North Greene.
It was almost like both teams went into the locker room and put different teams on the floor in the second half as a once hot Hampton team just couldn’t get in a rhythm offensive in the third quarter as a combination of tight defensive pressure from North Greene and a Hampton team that couldn’t find the bottom the net allowed the Huskies to outduel Hampton 17-4 in the period cutting the game to a slim 39-36 Hampton lead heading to the fourth period.
Britton had five and Brand four to help the Huskies narrow the gap.
North Greene managed to take a one-point lead early in the fourth before Hampton responded to take a seven-point lead which they couldn’t hold onto as the ‘Dogs appeared to be trying to run off some clock but a stifling defense forced critical turnovers allowing North Greene to climb even closer.
An acrobatic reverse layup by the Huskies Britton gave the Huskies a one-point lead with close to 16 seconds remaining. Hampton had a good look on their end of the court before fouling Jasper Brand with 5.5 ticks on the clock. Brand toed the line and hit 1-of-2 before Hampton called a timeout to set up a final play.
The ‘Dogs brought the ball up the floor quickly and found Dalton Holtsclaw in the corner for an open trey. Holtsclaw’s shot missed the mark and a final attempt by Buckles wouldn’t fall sending the North Greene fan base into a frenzy.
Although the loss was a tough one, it could actually turn into a spark that could help the talented Bulldogs develop a chip on their shoulder heading into the sectional contest.
Game time for Monday’s contest will be at 7 p.m. at Harriman High School located at 920 N Roane St, Harriman, TN 37748.
—
North Greene, 49-47
Hampton (47)
Michael Harrison 2, Cadon Buckles 21, Logan Whitehead 4, Morgan Lyons 5, Conor Burleson 9, Hayden Campbell 6.
North Greene (49)
Sam English 3, Tyler Sanchez 4, Cody Freshour 2, Ollie Saarela 15, Jason Britton 16, Jasper Brand 7, Jan Hillerman 2.
Hampton ……….  16   19    4      8 – 47
North Greene …. 12     7   17   13 – 49
BY THE NUMBERS
            16
Bulldog lead at the
             half.
             4
Points scored by
Hampton in the
    third quarter.
            12
Total points scored
by the Bulldogs in
   the second half.

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