Gatlinburg-Pittman vs Trion (GA)

Gatlinburg-Pittman smothers previously unbeaten Trion (GA) 86-56

BY BRIAN HAMILTON GATLINBURG – Trion (GA) came into the semifinals of the Smoky Mountain Winter Classic with a perfect 12-0 record, but left with its first loss of the season, as Gatlinburg-Pittman bludgeoned the Bulldogs 86-56. The game was never really close past midway through the second quarter, as stalwarts Carlos Orr and Ty Glasper imposed their will on the game early and often. Glasper got to the rim almost any time he wanted and Orr was a rebounding machine, finishing with a game-high 13 boards. “When we went and evaluated them, I felt good, but them I turned …

Gatlinburg-Pittman vs Riverside (SC)

Lady Highlanders hold off Riverside (SC) to advance to Winter Classic final

BY BRIAN HAMILTON GATLINBURG – The Winterfest Shootout is the girls basketball tournament being played at Sevier County High School this week, but the Lady Highlanders found themselves in a winter shootout in the Smoky Mountain Winter Classic at Gatlinburg on Thursday night. The Lady Highlanders scored early and often, but so did Riverside (SC), as the two teams traded baskets throughout much of the first half. Gatlinburg-Pittman saw a 15 point lead almost evaporate before the half, due the Lady Warriors three-point shooting, but were able to push the lead back to 20 in the third quarter before having …

Sevier County vs Cullman

Bearettes dominate Cullman (AL) 55-12 in Winterfest Shootout

BY BRIAN HAMILTON SEVIERVILLE – Before most folks in attendance could get in their seats for the second of a quadruple-header at the Winterfest Shootout between Sevier County and Cullman on Wednesday evening, Sevier County had raced out to a 22-1 lead early in the first quarter. Sevier County would use the commanding first quarter lead to cruise to a 55-12 win and advance to the tournament semifinals. “After the first quarter, my biggest criticism was the missed shots at the basket,” Sevier County coach Jonathan Shultz said after the game. “We missed some shots at the basket that I feel …

Sevier County vs Rogers

Sevier County uses strong second half to defeat Rogers (AL) in King of Smokies Classic

BY BRIAN HAMILTON PIGEON FORGE – Sevier County got off to a slow start on Thursday morning, but was able to pull away comfortably in the second half, thanks to a stifling full-court press. The Smoky Bears outscored Rogers 40-21 in the second half to win 67-37 in the first round of the King of the Smokies Classic in Pigeon Forge. “We just played with no energy to start,” Sevier County coach Ken Wright said after the game. “You give them off four days and that’s just typical over the Christmas holidays. They stay up late when they have four …

Morristown West vs Jasper

Morristown West falls to Jasper (AL) in King of Smokies Classic

BY BRIAN HAMILTON PIGEON FORGE – Morristown West ran into a buzz saw on Wednesday afternoon in the first round of the King of Smokies Classic, as Jasper traveled up from Alabama and executed something similar to ‘death by full-court press’, as the Trojans were unable to get into any kind of flow in the first half, as Jasper went on to win 71-39. Jasper continuously forced mistakes and turnovers early on, resulting in Morristown East only six points on two first half field goals. The Vikings also began the game with precise offensive execution early in the first quarter. …