EAST GAME OF THE WEEK
Emotions were running high as two of the best AA teams in the state took the court this Friday night. The packed Austin East gym was loud and boisterous with chanting fans, flipping cheerleaders and game faces intact.
The game would start and end with a Travai Pryor (Austin East) dunk, yet it was what happened in between that was exciting. Austin East, despite missing 17 shots from the charity stripe, found the hustle and heart to defeat their geographical rival Howard 64-59.
The game was a see-saw affair for the first half with the score tied at 34-34. The third quarter became a showcase for Hustlin Tiger senior guard Dominique Taylor (Howard). The 6'4 stud was everywhere dropping threes, running the point, finishing off the dribble and making key passes to open teammates and Howard captured a 51-45 lead going into the final stanza.
The Roadrunners led by the active Pryor, senior marksman Darryl Florence (Austin East) and junior Jamal Lundy (Austin East) would outscore Howard 19-8 in the fourth quarter. Howard carried a slim lead before Flourence drained a deep three with a defender draped all over him. Pryor then tipped a missed shot and A.E. grabbed a 55-54 lead at the 2:50 mark.
Dominique Harper (Howard) converted a short jumper before Lundy drained his two foul shots and the Roadrunners were again on top. Chase Jones (Austin East) converted a huge effort bucket and A.E. would never trail again.
Pryor led the East Knoxville crew with 19 large, Flourence finished with 16 and Lundy contributed 11 big markers. "Big Twin" finished with 9 points but continuously made big offensive boards and kept possessions alive.
Taylor led the Hustin" Tigers with 20. Brandon Allen (Howard) finished with 12 and Calvin Ross (Howard) added 11.
MIDDLE GAME OF THE WEEK
Summertown 64
Wayne County 41
Wes Long (Summertown) ripped the nets for a game high 21 points and helped his Eagles to a sweet 64-41 victory over Wayne County. The Eagles cuurently stand at 12-0 in district 12A and have all but clinched the title. Nick Nance (Summertown) contributed to the scoring adding 17 in the win. Brady Berlin (Wayne County) led the losing squad with 14.
WEST GAME OF THE WEEK
Weather postponed the impending Ridgeway/Kirby clash. The game is tentatively rescheduled for this Monday.
