THIS BLOG WAS HACKED - ABANDONING SITE

Unfortunately someone chose to attack this site and pirate the images. With site security in question, I have decided to abandon this site and start anew using a different program. This site will be abandoned effective March 1, 2012.

Posts have already begun on the new site. Follow the link below to check out the latest sports information in Loudon County, Tennessee. Thank you for stopping by!

Look for new sports posts at LOUDONCOUNTYSPORTS.COM

Really frustrated this site has been hacked.

I'm not sure what has happened to the photos I have been posting. It appears the blog has somehow been hacked into and the photos deleted. I am trying to get things fixed but if the security of this site is so vulnerable to allow this to happen, I may take it down and relocate. Thank you for your interest. We'll have an announcement soon.

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Eaton Ruritan Park announces spring/summer softball and baseball plans

Click this link to view details for signup forms, schedules and coaches contact information.

Saturday sign up dates for 2012
February 25, March 3, March 10
Eaton Ruritan Park  from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

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Opening Day 2012, April 23rd
Trophy Day, June 23rd

Registration Fee $30 for one child
$50 for two or more children (immediate family only)

Loudon Parks and Recreation announce spring/summer activities

Click this link to view activity schedule and sign up details.

Youth Baseball
Ages 4 to 12
Registration Fee: $30, Baseball Pants: $10
Deadline: March 3

Youth Softball
Ages 8 to 11
Registration Fee: $30, Softball Pants: $10
Deadline: March 3

Baseball Camp, June 18-22, 9:00am - 11am
Ages up to 12
Learn Baseball Fundamentals with Loudon Redskins Head Coach, Bill Thompson. Inducted recently  into the Tennesse Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame.
Registration Fee: $45
Registration Deadline: June 1st

Flag Football
Grades: 1st - 12th
Practice & games begin in June
Games played at Loudon Municipal Park
Registration Deadline: May 15th
Registration Fee: $30

Lenoir City Parks and Recreation announce spring/summer activities

Check this link to view the schedule and sign up details for Lenoir City Parks and Recreation activities. 

Youth Baseball & Softball Registration

Ages: Boys (ages 4-12) and Girls (ages 4-15)

Registration Dates:
-February 25th, March 3rd and March 10th: 10:00 A.M. until 2:00 P.M. at the Lenoir City High School Gymnasium (also, March 3rd at Hibbetts Sporting Goods from 10:00 A.M. until 12:00 P.M.)

Office registration will begin February 20th, Monday - Friday from 9:00 A.M. until 4:00 P.M.

Location: Parks & Recreation Office at 119 West Broadway

Registration Fees: $35 per person or $65 per family

*Summer Sports Program:
Are you looking for something to help keep your children active this summer? Sign them up for one of our summer sports camps.

Golf Camp: June 11th-15th at 10:00 A.M. for Boys and Girls ages 8-13
Tennis Camp: Saturday mornings - June 9th-July 28th for Boys and Girls ages 4-7 and 8-13. The camp will be held at Lenoir City Park. Instructor: Daphne Moore

Loudon takes early exit with loss to Scott County

Scott County had Loudon’s number Friday. The two teams met in the AA-District 4 tournament at Loudon High School but there was no advantage for the Redskins being on their home court. The Highlanders took control early and dominated throughout, cruising to a 52-44 victory. It could have been either team's victory to claim as the two teams had split home wins in their regular season contests. 

At the first quarter horn the score was a respectable 11-7 in favor of the visitors, but Scott County turned up the heat in the second. At the break the margin had jumped to 10, with the lights on the scoreboard reading 24-14, Highlanders. The Redskins narrowed the gap back to seven after three, but never could get close enough to mount a serious charge. 

Photo by Sammie Dunlap © 2012.
Andrew Hendrix drives around a Scott County defender.

Photo by Sammie Dunlap © 2012.
Jake Blankenship goes up with a shot.

Jaden Bailey and Jordan Belvin matched one another as leaders on the score sheet with an even dozen. Andrew Hendrix dropped in eight points and the trio of Bryston Hardy, Ty Hairston and Jake Blankenship each scored four. With the loss, Loudon is out of the tournament.

West HS continues domination of Panthers

Lenoir City will face Farragut in tournament consolation game

The third meeting of Lenoir City and West High had the same result as the first two, even though the most recent contest was a 66-65 barn-burner on Jan. 24. Friday night wasn’t nearly as close in the AAA-District 4 tournament at Bearden HS, with West finishing on top 71-49.

The Rebels jumped out to an early 23-16 first quarter lead and increased the margin to 15 at the break, going up 40-25. After three in the books, the Panthers had drifted even farther behind at 59-37, and West cruised down the stretch for the easy win. 

Photo by Bryan Lynn © 2012 

Terrance Hall drives around a West 
defender in the Panthers game Friday.

Photo by Bryan Lynn © 2012 

Lucas Hamilton goes up to block the shot of West's top scorer Carson Brooks.

The Panthers struggled on offense. Only Terrance Hall cracked into double digits on the score sheet with 11. Four players, including Nathan Lester, Camion Patrick, Jordan Hall and Bill Ault, matched one another with seven points. Lucas Hamilton banged in six from the paint, while Tyler Jones dropped three in from the free-throw line. Micah McCrary was good from the line with one. Lester, Patrick and Jordan Hall each found the net with one basket from beyond the arc.

The Panthers play Farragut on Tuesday in the district tournament consolation game at Bearden High School. They are scheduled to tipoff at 6 p.m.  Lenoir City has defeated the Admirals in both of their prior meetings this season.

Panthers knock Catholic out, advance to face West in district tournament

Lenoir City traveled to Bearden High School Wednesday for the AAA District-4 contest against Knoxville Catholic and knocked the Irish out with a 50-41 win.

The Panthers jumped out to a good lead at the start. After one period the score was 15-7. Camion Patrick set the tone with his first basket, a 3-point shot while Lucas Hamilton banged in a pair of field goals. Nathan Lester added a pair of long-range aerials in the second quarter. At the break, the score was 24-13 with Lenoir City in command, or so it seemed. Catholic had other ideas, making half-time adjustments that sparked a 17-point third quarter rally. At the start of the final frame, the Panthers were still up, but only by one at 31-30.

Down the stretch, the Panthers made their own adjustments, with determination to not bow out early. Jordan Hall and Terrance Hall each ripped the net from long-range. Alex Hatfield was a perfect three-for –three from the foul line and banged in a couple of field goals from the paint to keep the Irish at bay in the end. 

Photo by Bryan Lynn © 2012 

Lenoir City's Alex Hatfield works for position to put up a shot

.

Photo by Bryan Lynn © 2012 

Camion Patrick goes up for a layup in the Panthers' game against Catholic.

All total, eight Panthers inked the score sheet, with Jordan Hall earning top honors at 10. Hamilton tallied nine, with Hatfield hitting for seven points, all in the fourth quarter. Lester and Tyler Jones each scored six, while Terrance Hall and Patrick had five each.

Lenoir City will play West High School on Friday at 7:30 p.m. All district tournament games are at Bearden High School in Knoxville.

Rest in peace. Remembering Greg Carter and the 1986 World Series

by Ambler Brown 

I've never been to a World Series, but I got close once. I was in New York in October 1986 when catcher Greg Carter was one of several Mets heroes of game six. Down 3-2 on the scoreboard that night, with Boston up 3-2 in the series, Carter hit an eighth-inning sacrifice fly that tied the game.

Boston came back to take a 5-4 lead in the 10th inning. In his next at bat with two outs, Carter reached on a single that brought the tying run to the plate. The rally that followed gave the Mets a come-from-behind win that forced game seven. New York's winning run scored on a single by Mookie Wilson, a ground ball that went through Red Sox first baseman Bill Buckner's legs. The game is still considered one of the greatest comeback wins in World Series history.

I was staying with a friend at East Hampton, Long Island the Saturday night it all started, with game one at Shea Stadium. My friend John Riddell had season tickets and loved the Mets. He had put his name in the lottery and received two tickets each for game one and game seven, if the series went that far. He took his wife to game one. Can't fault John for that.

I went to a restaurant that night with my traveling companion Tim Cooper. Tim and I watched game one on television. The next day we drove into "The City", right past Shea and marveled at the excitement and drama that we knew would unfold over the next few days. The Mets were playing Boston and the Red Sox had won the night before. Would the Mets come back and win or get swept, as most sports prognosticators were predicting? Only time would tell.

It was an odd series. The home team lost the first four games. Boston won game five at Fenway Park to go up 3-2 in the series. Games six and seven were back at Shea Stadium, with New York the winner of both games and the Series title. John and his wife were there for game seven to see the Mets crowned World Champions.

I had another connection to this series, from the Boston side, which I didn't learn about until I returned home. A couple of close friends had attended one of the games in Boston, Aubrey Harwell being the guest of George Gillett, to help George celebrate his birthday. At the time George owned WSMV-TV Channel 4 in Nashville. I had introduced them to one another through our mutual efforts to raise money for the Boy Scouts. Aubrey is a distinguished Nashville attorney and George had engaged him to help with some legal stuff.

Aubrey was like a little boy telling me with great glee about flying to Logan International Airport in George's private jet along with some other Nashville businessmen. Aubrey said the group was whisked over to Fenway Park in a limousine and rode an elevator up to sky boxes, where they walked in and sat down in Commissioner of Baseball Peter Ueberroth's private box to watch the game. I would have been excited too. What a great way to enjoy your birthday!

I learned last night that Greg Carter had passed away from brain cancer at the age of 57. Rest in peace Greg. You were one of my heroes of the baseball diamond not so very long ago.

Loudon loves a sweet pair of wins over Wildcats

Monday closed out Loudon's regular season at home with Sweetwater proving to be a good tune-up heading into the start of district tournament week at Loudon. The Lady Redskins downed the Lady Wildcats 67-50 and the boys pounded the Wildcats 60-43.

The girls contest allowed Coach Bryant Collins to clear his bench, with 10 of the Lady Redskins inking the score sheet before the night was over. Senior post player Chelsey Moore shared the top scoring total at 19 with Sweetwater’s Raven Jefford. Loudon’s Zoe Grimes added 11, followed by Jara Gasper with nine and Savannah Berry hitting eight. Freshman Aspen Jordan was good with five points, while Julie Waddell and Bre Snow each dropped four through the hoop. Jodi Dailey drained a long-range bucket for three. Bekah Campbell and Haylee Henry each scored early field goals for two points apiece. Joining Dailey with baskets from beyond the arc were Berry with one and Moore with two.

Loudon started slow and allowed the Lady Wildcats an early lead. After one period, the visitors were up 13-12. The Lady Redskins turned up the intensity on defense in the second period, holding Sweetwater to only three points. They also dialed up more offense to the tune of five players scoring a combined 13 to jump on top 25-16 at the half. 

Photo by Sammie Dunlap © 2012.
Savannah Berry takes it to the hoop through a pair of Lady Wildcats.

By the time the third quarter clock wound down, the Lady Redskins’ Moore and Grimes were wound up, each hitting three field goals in the 19-point period for a 44-28 thrashing. Loudon gave no quarter down the stretch. In the fourth, 23 points by seven different Lady Redskins put the game out of reach, even though Jefford hit three 3-point baskets in a valiant 22 point comeback bid by Sweetwater.

A marked difference in free throw shooting could have spelled doom for Loudon had the score been closer. The Lady Redskins only hit seven-of-16 for 43.7 percent from the charity stripe. Sweetwater connected on 15-of-21 for 71.4 percent of their foul shots.

The Lady Redskins won the regular season title and earned a bye in the District 4-AA tournament at Loudon this week. They will hit the hardwood Saturday at 7 p.m. against the winner of Thursday’s CAK/Kingston game. The district championship is scheduled for Feb. 21 at 6 p.m.

Coming off a thrilling come-from-behind double overtime win over cross-county rival Lenoir City last week, the Redskins continued both their comeback and winning ways at the expense of Sweetwater.

Sweetwater started strong, going up 14-6 on their hosts in the first period. The second quarter saw a complete reversal as Loudon scored 19 to the Wildcats eight for a 25-22 Redskin advantage. Loudon’s defense got even stingier in the third. The Redskins held the visitors to only five, while thrilling the home crowd with 3-point shots by Jordan Belvin (two) and Andrew Hendrix (one), to ink 19 more points in the period. The 44-27 score at the third quarter buzzer had the fans roaring their approval. Both teams put 16 through the hoop in the fourth, keeping the final score margin right where Loudon wanted it with a 17-point advantage.

Photo by Sammie Dunlap © 2012.
Andrew Hendrix puts up a shot in Loudon's 60-43 win over Sweetwater.

Hendrix led the Redskins with 15 points, while Ty Hairston was close behind at 13. Belvin and Jaden Bailey each ripped the net for nine. Jon Dorsett was good with six and Jake Blankenship banged in four. Clay Jenkins and Justin Shell each added a pair on fourth quarter field goals. Bailey hit a long-range basket in addition to Belvin and Hendrix’s third quarter heroics from outside.

The Redskins play Scott County Friday at 8 p.m. in district tournament play at Loudon High School.

2012 Lenoir City Junior Varsity Basketball Tournament

Pool “A”                                                Pool “B”

                                      Lenoir City                                         North Middle

Jefferson Middle                               Rockwood

Midway                                              Harriman

Wartburg                                            CAK (Boys)

Greenback                                          Oliver Springs (Girls)

                                                            Cherokee (Girls)      

(B) = boys             (G) = girls

Saturday Feb 18                                                                  Saturday Feb 25

(G)  9am    Oliver Springs vs North                    (G)  9 am                9^th & 10^th place

 (B) 10am  CAK vs North                                    (B)  10 am              9^th & 10^th place                    

(G)  11am  Harriman vs Rockwood                     (G)  11 am              7^th & 8^th Place

(B)  12pm  Harriman vs Rockwood                    (B)  12 pm              7^th & 8^th Place

(G)  1pm    Lenoir City vs Jefferson                   (G)  1 pm                5^th & 6^th Place

(B)  2pm    Lenoir City vs Jefferson                   (B)  2 pm                5^th & 6^th Place

(G)  3pm    Midway vs  Wartburg                       (G)  3 pm                3^rd & 4^th Place

(B)  4pm    Midway vs Wartburg                       (B)  4 pm                3^rd & 4^th Place

                                                                                (G)  5 pm                Championship Game

Monday Feb 20                                                    (B)  6 pm                Championship Game

(G)  4:15pm    Greenback vs Jefferson

(B)  5:15pm    Greenback vs Jefferson

(G)  6:15pm     Lenoir City vs Midway

(B)  7:15pm     Lenoir City vs Midway                         Admission: $3     Children under 5 is free

(G)  8:15pm     Cherokee vs North                                  

                                                                                     * 8 minute quarters with running clock

Tuesday Feb 21                                                         * Clock will only stop on timeouts or the

(B)  4:15pm          North vs Rockwood                            last 2 minutes of 2^nd & 4^th quarters.

 (G)  5:15pm         North vs Rockwood                    *Overtime will be 3 minutes with running clock.

 (B)  6:15pm         CAK vs Harrimanr                        Clock will only stop last minute of overtime.

(G)  7:15pm          Oliver Springs vs Harriman         Each team gets one extra timeout in overtime.

(G)  8:15pm          Cherokee vs Rockwood

                                                                                       * 5 timeouts per game in regulation

Wednesday Feb 22                                                     * Seeding for final Saturday is based on:

(G)  4:15pm          Midway vs Jefferson                                          1^st record

(B)  5:15pm          Midway vs Jefferson                                          2^nd Fewest points allowed

(G)  6:15pm          Greenback vs Wartburg                                     3^rd coin toss

(B)  7:15pm          Greenback vs Wartburg                 * Halftime will be 5 minutes

                                                                                               

Thursday Feb 23                                                  

(B)  4:15pm          Rockwood vs CAK                     

(G)  5:15pm          Rockwood vs Oliver Springs    

(B)  6:15pm          North vs Harriman

(G)  7:15pm          North vs Harriman

(G)  8:15pm          Cherokee vs Oliver Springs

Friday Feb 24

(G)  4:15pm          Lenoir City vs Greenback         

(B)  5:15pm          Lenoir City vs Greenback            

(G)  6:15pm          Jefferson vs Wartburg                

(B)  7:15pm          Jefferson vs Wartburg

* First team listed will be home team

Lenoir City Middle School Lady Panthers win championship!

CHAMPIONS!

They had met three times already, twice in the regular season and a third time for the District 4 title. Could they take the section title facing the Midway Lady Green Waves a fourth time? Their second meeting on Dec. 15 was the closest, with a 37-32 victory. The district title game was a 60-23 blowout on Feb.2. “They’ll be coming after us,” a nervous Lenoir City Middle School girls coach Rachel Gray said.

The Lady Panthers knew they were in a fight from the opening whistle. At the end of one the score was tied 12-12. The Lady Waves rallied for a 16-13 edge at 4:35 to go in the second period. The Lady Panthers were undaunted and came back with a seven-point run to go in front 20-16. At the half Lenoir City had pushed out to a 25-21 lead.

In the third, strong defense and their best scoring quarter took some of the anxiety away. Maegan Hudson ripped a three at 1:28 and Jaila Arnwine matched it with one of her own with 45 seconds on the clock. With Amberlee Zeller hitting a pair of baskets in the paint, Lenoir City increased the margin to 41-29.

Photo by Ambler Brown © 2012

Jaila Arnwine goes up for a shot 

with Midway defenders in her face.

Photo by Ambler Brown © 2012

Maegan Hudson rips a 3-point shot 

in the first quarter Saturday. 
Hudson was named tournament MVP.

Photo by Ambler Brown © 2012
Amberlee Zeller drives the lane to put up 
a shot over Lady Wave defenders.

Good defense in the fourth held Midway to only five points, while the Lady Panthers continued to pour in points. Jermeria Dortch had the hot hand down the stretch, with six of her 11 points in the final frame. Ashlynn Zeller banged in a field goal and a free throw for three and the Lady Panthers coasted to the final buzzer with a victory and the sectional title in hand. The score at the final horn was 55-34 in favor of the Lady Panthers.

Hudson had the game-high scoring total of 23 points. She was good from long-range with four baskets. Dortch scored 11 and Arnwine netted 10, including the three in the third. Ashlynn Zeller hit a long-range basket early plus her fourth quarter points for a total of six. Amberlee Zeller added a fourth quarter free throw to her pair of baskets in the third for a combined five points.

Jubilation reigned as Lenoir City Middle School fans stormed the court to congratulate the Lady Panthers on winning the championship. Post-game ceremonies included the naming of all five Lady Panthers’ starters to the all-tournament team, with Hudson receiving the award as tournament Most Valuable Player.

Photo by Ambler Brown © 2012
Lady Panthers win 55-34 over Midway to take section title!

Photo by Ambler Brown © 2012

From left, Ashlynn Zeller, Jaila Arnwine, Amberlee Zeller, Jermeria Dortch and Maegan Hudson started and were each named to the All-Tournament team. Hudson was named tournament Most Valuable Player.

Follow this linke to view and purchase more photos from the sectional championship.

Loudon sweeps second round of bridge series, handing Lenoir City a pair of losses.

Boys battle through two OTs – Redskins upset Panthers 77-75.

With winter weather moving in outside, the cross-county action was heated inside Loudon High School Friday as the Panthers of Lenoir City came calling. The Lady Redskins showed why they are AA-District 4 champions as they handed the Lady Panthers a 59-46 loss. Their Dec. 2 contest had been closer with Loudon winning 45-44.

The boys’ game in December was as expected, with Lenoir City on top 59-48. Friday, it was everything but the expected as the 9-16 (2-8) Redskins dealt the visiting Panthers 15-11 (8-6) a surprising double-overtime 77-75 defeat. 

Photo by Sammie Dunlap © 2012.
Loudon's Jordan Belvin goes up with a shot as Lenoir City's Jordan Hall defends.  
The Redskins won 77-75 in double overtime.

In the ladies’ contest, Loudon jumped out to an early 15-4 lead in the first period. Lenoir City mounted a bit more offense in the second, but Loudon was consistent and posted a 29-13 first half advantage. The two teams played closer in the third as the Lady Panthers’ scoring leader Tyler Powers dropped in a pair of threes and Kelsey Marriott added another. Unfortunately for the visitors, the late surge was too little, too late. After three the score was 42-24 Loudon. A strong 22-point fourth quarter by Lenoir City made the contest respectable, but Loudon’s consistent scoring produced their best quarter of offense with 17, allowing them to coast in with the win.

Loudon’s Savannah Berry and Jara Gasper combined for 13-of-15 from the free-throw line down the stretch, making it impossible for the Lady Panthers to edge closer.

Gasper notched a game-high 21 points for Loudon. Post player Chelsey Moore banged in 18, including one from long-range. Berry netted nine, also hitting one from outside. Zoe Grimes scored seven and Bre Snow inked the score sheet for two. Haylee Henry and Aspen Jordan each were good with a free throw for one point.

Photo by Sammie Dunlap © 2012.
Kara Steil launches a three for 
the Lady Panthers.

Photo by Sammie Dunlap © 2012.
Loudon's Chelsey Moore drives 
around Lady Panther Kristi Brackett.

Powers was top-gun for the Lady Panthers with 14. Kristi Brackett scored six from the paint. Cailin Hurley and Katie Smartt each dropped in four, while the trio of Kelsey Marriott, Ally Latham and Kara Steil each scored three. The quartet of Dawn Radford, Teela Thomas, Angel Varner and Haley Morris each had two points ink the score sheet. Lindsey Jones was good with one free throw.

The boys contest delivered plenty of heat to counter the falling temperatures outside. Lenoir City screamed to a 20-10 first quarter lead. Loudon ramped up on offense and defense in the second, pulling back within six for a 34-28 score at the half. Loudon took a 47-46 lead to close out the third period. The game went to overtime after regulation with the score tied at 58 and was still knotted at 67 when the third potential game ending horn sounded.  Another extra period was needed to settle it and the home team fans were jubilant with the 77-75 victory after the second overtime.

Loudon’s Jordan Belvin had the game-high hot hand with 25 points, including five 3-point baskets. His inside the paint teammate Jaden Bailey was good for 24, including one from long-range. Andrew Hendrix scored 14, with two buckets from beyond the arc. Ty Hairston netted eight. Bryston Hardy scored five, also hitting a three. Christ Chennault sealed both the scoring for the Redskins and the game, with a key free throw in the final seconds.

For the Panthers, Camion Patrick racked 22 points and Lucas Hamilton banged in 17. Loudon held Lenoir City’s usual sharpshooter Jordan Hall to seven points. Alex Hatfield and Tyler Jones were each good with six points. Bill Ault and Nathan Lester had five each. Terrance Hall scored four while Steven Halcomb hit a 3-pointer. Joining Halcomb with long-range baskets were Patrick with three, Lester with one and Jordan Hall with one.

Loudon will host the AA-District 4 tournament next week. The Lady Redskins 21-4 (8-2) won the regular season AA-District 4 crown and look forward to advancing higher this year. They lost to Pigeon Forge in the regional semi-final on a last second buzzer beater to end their 2011 season. “We want the trophy this time,” senior Chelsey Moore said. “I think we can do it. We should go to state. We’re deeper this year.”

Lenoir City will travel to Bearden High School in Knoxville for the AAA-District 4 tournament. Tournament brackets and schedules will be posted when announced.

MS Lady Panthers defeat Black Knights. Earn championship berth.

With one to go, this time Midway will be at the end.

The game was tougher than most, although the score didn’t reflect it. The Lenoir City Middle School Lady Panthers cruised to a 43-22 win over Chuckey Doak Middle School Friday night in the semi-final sectional tournament matchup.

The score was 13-5 after the first quarter. Maegan Hudson accounted for nine of the Lady Panthers' points. The Zeller twins, Amberlee and Ashlyn netted the other four. Period two brought offensive production from more players as Jaila Arnwine dropped in a three to go along with Ashlynn’s long-range basket and Jermeria Dortch hit a two. Hudson continued her success with three dribble-drive baskets. At the half, Lenoir City was up 27-14. 

   Photo by Ambler Brown © 2012
Maegan Hudson launches a first quarter 3-point shot. 

The wheels came off in the third as Hudson and Amberlee Zeller each got in foul trouble, were forced to sit a while and failed to score. Luckily the Lady Panthers held the Lady Knights to only two points over the eight-minute span so the 34-16 third quarter score was not an issue. Lenoir City cruised down the stretch to earn the victory.

“It wasn’t the game we wanted to play tonight,” Lady Panthers coach Rachel Gray said. “I had a couple of girls that got in foul trouble early.. It frustrated them and showed on the court. It trickled down and affected other players. It changed the momentum of the game.“

In spite of her early foul trouble, Hudson had a game-high 20 points. Ashlyn Zeller’s 11 points were still higher than any of the Black Knight’s scoring. Arnwine put eight on the score sheet, including two baskets from outside. Dortch and Amberlee Zeller scored two each.

The win earned Lenoir City a rematch with Midway for the sectional championship Saturday. The game will tipoff at Pigeon Forge Middle School at 3 p.m.

Midway and the Lady Panthers have met three times already this season, with wins by Lenoir City in every contest, including the 60-23 District 4 championship on Feb. 2.

“We’ve played each other three times,” Gray said. “I’m sure they’ll be coming after us.”

View and/or purchase these and other photographs.  

 

   Photo by Ambler Brown © 2012
Amberlee Zeller drives the baseline against a defender.

  Photo by Ambler Brown © 2012
Jaila Arnwine works the ball inside.

Loudon loses two battles but Lady Redskins win the war. Take 4-AA District crown.

Tuesday night Loudon traveled to Alcoa for a pair of District 4-AA battles. The Lady Redskins came up just short, falling 49-45 to the Lady Tornadoes, but their 8-2 district record was still enough to earn the 2012 regular season crown.

The boys’ game was not as close with a 20-point margin at the end. Alcoa, 9-1 in district play, prevailed 64-44 over the visitors and won the district over 8-2 Christian Academy of Knoxville. 

Photo by Sammie Dunlap © 2012.
Jara Gasper drives around an Alcoa defender.

  

Photo by Sammie Dunlap © 2012.
Jordan Belvin works for position, driving the lane. 
Belvin scored 12 points for the Redskins.

The Lady Redskins were slow out of the gate with only four first period points to Alcoa’s 17. Loudon’s game-high point leader Jara Gasper did not score until the second quarter.  At the break the margin was 27-15. Half-time adjustments benefited the Lady Redskins as they doubled the Lady Tornadoes production, posting 18 to Alcoa’s nine third period points. The nearly even fourth quarter, with Alcoa up 13-12 for the period, carried them through for the victory.

Foul shots proved to be a pivotal difference as Loudon hit the higher percentage, dropping eight-of-10. Unfortunately for the Lady Redskins, Alcoa made eight more trips to the charity stripe, hitting 13-of-18. During the fourth quarter alone, the Lady Tornadoes stepped to the line 11 times as Loudon tried to flip fouls into added possessions. The strategy worked, as Loudon hit all six of their fourth quarter foul shots but it was too little, too late. The early game deficit was too large a mountain to climb.

Gasper netted 20, including one basket from long-range, and a perfect three-for-three at the foul line. Jodi Dailey dropped in eight, also hitting one from beyond the arc. Bre Snow scored six, hitting two field goals and both of her free throw attempts. Savannah Berry put five points on the score sheet, including one 3-point basket. Chelsey Moore hit four from the paint and Zoe Grimes was good on two free throws.  

The Alcoa boys showed why they took the district, overpowering the Redskins from the starting whistle. After one it was 13-8, which seemed respectable at the time. They unleashed the real Tornadoes in the second quarter, dropping in 22 points to the Redskins 14 for a half-time score of 35-22. The third quarter was more of the same, with a flurry of threes pushing the margin to 56-33. The fourth quarter was academic as Alcoa coasted to victory.

Andrew Hendrix netted 13 for the Redskins, while Jordan Belvin dropped in four 3-pointers for 12. Of Hendrix’s points, three baskets were long-range, for a combined seven 3-pointers for Loudon. Jaden Bailey scored seven while Jake Blankenship banged in six points from inside the paint. The trio of Ty Hairston, Jon Dorsett and Justin Shell each found the cylinder for two points.

Loudon will close their regular season at home against cross-county rival Lenoir City on Friday. The girls tip-off is scheduled for 6 p.m. and the boys will start at 7:30 p.m.

Senior night festivities are planned to recognize Savannah Berry, Jodi Dailey, Jara Gasper, Chesley Moore and Julie Waddell for the Lady Redskins. Jake Blankenship and Justin Shell are Redskin seniors who will be honored for their contributions on the hardwood.

Middle School Lady Panthers continue to dominate. Advance to semi-final in sectional tournament.

The score sheets were even in one category and Newport had the edge in another. Any student of statistics will say you can read anything you want to from the numbers. The bottom line that counted though was all Lady Panthers with a 39-18 win over Newport Grammar Wednesday evening. The TMSAA girl’s AA sectional tournament is underway this week at Pigeon Forge Middle School.

The win earned Lenoir City a berth in the semi-final contest Friday at 7 p.m.  A win will put them in the championship game at 3 p.m. Saturday. “I hope nobody,” said Lenoir City Middle School girls coach Rachel Gray about what teams were also in the bracket that might beat her Lady Panthers team.

Lenoir City’s lone defeat was Jan. 16 to Harriman by a score of 20-23. Their strength is based on several players who contribute on a consistent and even basis. “It’s not just one. If you want to eliminate one, we’ve got three more, four more that could take them on,” Gray said about the balance on her team.

 

                        Photo by Ambler Brown © 2012 
Jaila Arnwine goes up with the ball to score.

 Newport surpassed the Lady Panthers with eight players inking the score sheet. Unfortunately, their top scorer only had three points. Lenoir City scored off baskets by five players, with two in double figures. Maegan Hudson netted 14 while Amberlee Zeller ripped the nylon with 13. They each hit a basket from long range. Jaila Arnwine dropped in six points on a trio of field goals in the paint. Ashlyn Zeller dropped in a field goal and a pair of free throws for four points. Jermeria Dortch hit for two points.

Where were the two teams even on the score sheets? Both were 50 percent from the foul line. Lenoir City hit seven-of-14 from the charity stripe and the Lady Warriors hit three-of-six. Amberlee Zeller was perfect from the line, with four-of-four going down the pipe.

The first period was a 10-4 domination by Lenoir City. The second quarter escalated to annihilation, as the Lady Panthers had their strongest offensive quarter with 13 points and held the Lady Warriors to zero. The score at the break was 23-4.

Gray put subs in mid-way through the third period. At the end of three the score was 33-10.

Every Lady Panther on the roster hit the floor down the stretch. Even though none of the second team Lady Panthers scored, they received valuable playing time.

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Photo by Ambler Brown © 2012 
Emmah Click works for position under the basket.

Photo by Ambler Brown © 2012 
Maegan Hudson goes hard to the rim to score through three Newport defenders.

Caught between Rockwood and a hard place, Greenback falls hard

The Lady Cherokees started out strong Tuesday night, but lost their rhythm in the third period, while Rockwood adjusted and took over the game down the stretch, winning at home 53-47.  It was a physical game throughout. Greenback girls head coach Ed McCollum finally had enough and spoke his mind to the officials, resulting in a double technical foul call and was forced to leave the gym. 

The boys contest seemed to be called more evenly, in spite of the winning play being a foul called against the Cherokees. It was a good call, resulting in a 53-52 victory for the Tigers. 

Photo by Ambler Brown © 2012 
 Kassidi Knight drives the baseline.

The Lady ‘Kees jumped out front 15-13 in the first quarter and put up even better numbers in the second, going to intermission leading 33-24. Halftime adjustments by Rockwood were effective as Greenback only scored four points after the break. Rockwood tied the game 37-37 at 1:15 on the third quarter clock, took the lead on foul shots, and ended the quarter with a 39-37 advantage. The final period was close with Greenback scoring 10 against Rockwood’s nine, but the damage had been done.

The Lady Cherokees did not go quietly. With 3:15 to go and Rockwood up 46-45, Kassidi Knight dropped in two free throws to reclaim the lead. A turnover by the Lady Tigers put the ball back in Greenback’s hands. Close coverage by the Rockwood defense put the ball back in the Lady Tigers hands. The wheels came off as a combination of Mallory Winters’ fourth foul was called away from the shooter and contact by Rockwood with no fouls called sent coach McCollum into orbit and the official ‘teed him up’. Focus was lost and Rockwood took advantage down the stretch.

Knight was team high scorer for the Lady Cherokees with 15. Winters also hit in double figures with 10. Katelyn Sparks dropped in eight, while Courtneay Sheedy netted six. Bailey Sellers and Autumn Tipton each scored four. Winters and Sheedy found the net from outside with a pair of 3-pointers each.

Photo by Ambler Brown © 2012
Mallory Winters, No. 23, was called for her fourth foul on this play.

The Lady Cherokees hit seven-of-12 from the free-throw line, for 58.3 percent. Rockwood went to the line 25 times and netted 17 for 68 percent.

The boys’ game was close at first, with an 18-17 home team advantage after one. Greenback worked their magic in the second and jumped in front 34-26. It was the only quarter that five Cherokees inked the score sheet.

Photo by Ambler Brown © 2012
 Kassidi Knight tries to put up a shot. No foul was called on the play.

Like the girls contest, Rockwood adjustments during the break had an impact down the stretch. Greenback’s offensive production dropped dramatically in the second half while the Tigers stayed close. After three, Greenback was still up 44-38. With 2:35 to go, the Tigers had shaved the margin to 49-48.

 After an exchange of field goals, and a trio of foul shots by both squads, three additional points were added to the score for each team. With 1.8 seconds on the clock and Greenback up 52-51, Rockwood received a gift in the form of an over the back foul after a missed Greenback free throw. The Tigers’ Cleveland Davidson made both shots to give the home team their second victory of the night.

Josh Pace led the Cherokees with 15 points and Tyler Bryant dropped in 14. Trevor Franklin was also in double figures with 10. Austin Bryant netted six and Eric Anderson nailed a 3-pointer. Hogan Goodson and Landon Disney each connected with a field goal. Success from the free-throw line was missing as the Cherokees hit a paltry three-of-nine for 33.3 percent. Rockwood hit eight-of-11 for 72.7 percent.

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Photo by Ambler Brown © 2012
 Josh Pace drives in for a layup. Pace led the Cherokees with 15 points.

Photo by Ambler Brown © 2012
 Trevor Franklin drives in for a shot. He made no trips to the foul line during the game.

Photo by Ambler Brown © 2012
 Trevor Franklin hit the floor after this play.

Lenoir City Middle School Panthers advance in tournament. Play 5 p.m. Tuesday

The Panthers won their Saturday contest 44-41 over Bluff City in the TMSAA sectional tournament.

The win earned a Tuesday, Feb. 7 game against Pigeon Forge Middle School at 5 p.m. Pigeon Forge is hosting the tournament.

Panthers win. Lady Panthers fall in loss to William Blount

Lenoir City’s Panthers traveled to William Blount Friday night and defeated former Panthers coach Kevin Windle’s Governors on their home court 74-66. The game was much closer than their first meeting. The Panthers won at home 68-45 on Jan. 6. 

Photo by Ambler Brown © 2012
 Haley Morris drives into the lane to put up a shot in the Lady Panthers game at Wm. Blount. Friday.

                                                                                                                                       

Photo by Ambler Brown © 2012
 Cailin Hurley clears out from the baseline after snagging a rebound.

Photo by Ambler Brown © 2012
 Camion Patrick goes in for a layup in the Panthers 74-66 win at Wm. Blount Friday.

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The Lady Panthers, 10-14 (5-9), were in it for a while, but dropped their game 51-34. The score after the first period was a respectable 17-14 but the Lady Govs defense stiffened, holding Lenoir City to single digit quarters the rest of the night. At the break the home team’s advantage had grown to 31-13.

The score sheet looked more like a recent economic indicator with scores dropping more each period. The Lady Govs doubled Lenoir City’s 7-point third period offense and cut it to only three points in the fourth.

Tyler Powers scored 10 to lead the Lady Panthers. Katie Smartt hit for eight. Chassady Gray and Kara Steil each dropped five through the hoop, while the trio of Kelsey Marriott, Lindsey Jones and Ally Latham each scored two. Long-range baskets were made by Gray and Smartt, with one each and Powers netted two. The Lady Panthers hit eight of 14 from the charity stripe for 57 percent.

“This did not help us in the district standings,” Lady Panthers coach Kelly Herron said about the loss. “I did not want to be a seventh seed in the tournament.”

The Panthers were hot out of the gate with 21-first quarter points to 13 for the Govs. The gap closed tighter in the second period with a 44-32 half-time score. Both defenses tightened in the second half, as Lenoir City only put 15 points in during both final periods.

With a couple of threes and made free throws, William Blount rallied to within one for a 59-58 score at 5:15 to go in the game but the Panthers kept finding a way to pull away down the stretch. Terrance Hall was six-for-six from the charity stripe for the Panthers, all in the fourth period. Collectively Lenoir City hit 78.3 percent from the free-throw line.

Three Panthers scored in double figures, led by Tyler Jones with 14. Jordan Hall netted 13 and Alex Hatfield dropped in 12. Terrance Hall and Camion Patrick each found the nylon for eight points and Lucas Hamilton ripped it with seven. Bill Ault scored five, Nathan Lester four and Steven Halcomb dropped in three, for a total of nine players inking the score sheet. Jordan Hall and Tyler Jones each hit a pair from beyond the arc.

Lenoir City 14-10 (8-6) plays Kingston Monday for their final home game of the season. It will be senior night for the Panthers and Lady Panthers as players from both teams will receive special recognition for their efforts on the hardwood.

Lady Panthers making their final appearance are Kristi Brackett, Abbie Cheatham, Chassady Gray, Kelsey Marriott, Tyler Powers, Dawn Radford, Taylor Robinson and team manager Kayla Honore.  Panthers seniors are Bill Ault, Alex Hatfield, Tyler Jones and Nathan Lester.

Lenoir City will travel to Loudon Friday for a 6 p.m. tipoff. The District 4-AAA tournament will take place Feb. 15-22 at Bearden High School in Knoxville.

Six Middle School basketball players receive all-tournament honors. Hudson named MVP.

The Middle School District 4 basketball tournament ended Thursday night with the Lenoir City Lady Panthers and Rockwood Tigers as champions.

Loudon County players named to the all-tournament team were Lady Panthers Amberlee Zeller, Ashlyn Zeller and Maegan Hudson. Hudson was recognized as tournament most valuable player. The trio was also named all-district for their season of play.

Panthers recognized during post-game ceremonies were Joe Pace and Jacob Tufts named to both the all-tournament team and recognized as all-district players. 

Ft. Loudoun Middle School player Jesse Smallen was also named to the all-tournament team.

Photo by Ambler Brown © 2012
 Ft. Loudoun Middle School player Jesse Smallen was named to the all-tournament team.

Photo by Ambler Brown © 2012
 Joe Pace and Jacob Tufts received recognition as all-tournament players and were both named to the all-district team.

Photo by Ambler Brown © 2012
 From left to right, Ashlyn Zeller, Amberlee Zeller and Maegan Hudson were named to both the all-tournament team and earned all-district honors Thursday night. Hudson was named tournament most valuable player.