By Michael Lindsay
Girls
The Smith County Lady Owls (16-6) defended their home floor Monday evening as they picked up a 67-60 victory over Clarkrange (16-7) in non-district action behind 17 points each from Emry Jones and Chloe Collins and 12 from Chloe Powell.
“I thought we did good at first, but we’ve got to do a better job defensively and rebounding,” said Smith County head coach Matt Ferrell. “We played well and got the win, but we can still play better.”
Kady Hopkins led Clarkrange with 24 points along with 16 from Lydia Phillips.
A basket from Hopkins with 17 seconds remaining in the first quarter tied the game at 15 points each entering the second period. After trading leads throughout the second, Clarkrange entered halftime with a 30-29 advantage.
Smith County pushed ahead out of halftime as they outscored the Lady Buffaloes 19-12 in the third quarter to take a 48-42 lead entering the fourth.
“It was executing what we had already talked about,” said Ferrell. “Chloe Collins and all of our seniors played really well. After the first quarter, Emry Jones was back to what she’s been all year for us.”
The Lady Owls extended their lead to double digits with 5:55 remaining as a Karly Ramsey three-pointer gave Smith County a 54-44 advantage. Clarkrange battled back within two possessions late, but ultimately Smith County held them off to win by a 67-60 final score. Collins went a perfect 6-6 from the free-throw line in the fourth
Up next for Clarkrange is a Friday contest with District 7A foe Red Boiling Springs. Smith County has a quick turnaround as they host the Class 3A #2-ranked White County Warriorettes (21-2) on Tuesday in Carthage. White County won their first meeting of the season in Sparta on Dec. 9, 69-52.
Boys
The ensuing boys game also featured a 67-60 final score, but this time the win went to the visiting team as Clarkrange held off a late Owls comeback to win by 7.
“I thought we played really well for most of it,” said Clarkrange head coach Brent Logan. “In the fourth quarter, we fell apart with some of their pressure, though. As a young team, that’s something we’re still learning how to deal with. We can continue to get better at that, but overall it’s a good win.”
Noah Gunter and Bryton Swallows led the Buffaloes with 18 points while Cooper Williams poured in 19 for Smith County.
The Buffaloes led by as many as 16 points in the second quarter (41-25) before Smith County pulled within two points (54-52) with 6:47 remaining in the fourth.
A Braxton Sears buzzer-beater gave Clarkrange a 21-13 lead after one quarter. The Buffaloes extended their lead to double digits early in the second via another Sears basket to give his team a 24-13 advantage. Clarkrange pushed ahead by as many as 16 points late in the second before taking a 43-33 lead into the locker room at halftime.
“We were making shots,” said Logan. “Noah (Gunter) hit four threes in the first half; he didn’t miss one. They had a lot of size underneath, but Bryton Swallows can go play down there and bring them out.”
Smith County’s battled back in the third quarter as they pulled back within single digits by the end of the frame at 54-46.
The Owls’ run continued early in the fourth as a Tyler Jones steal and transition layup pulled Smith County within two points at 54-52 with 6:47 left.
“I was telling them to get their composure back,” said Logan. “We got scatterbrained a little, so we got them settled down.”
Clarkrange weathered the storm as Swallows answered with a three-pointer on the ensuing possession to extend Clarkrange’s lead back to 57-52. The Owls would get no closer down the stretch as Clarkrange held on to win by a 67-60 final score.
Up next for Smith County is a Tuesday contest with White County while Clarkrange is off until they face Red Boiling Springs on Friday.