Clay County, Pickett County Set To Face Off In Region 4-1A Championship Game

By Michael Lindsay

Familiar foes are set to play for the Region 4-1A boys championship on Thursday as Pickett County (23-6) and Clay County (20-7) won their respective region semifinal games on Tuesday at Livingston Academy.

 

Clay County Overcomes 13-Point Deficit Via 21-0 Run To Take Down Jo Byrns, 64-57

After a two-year hiatus, the Clay County Bulldogs (20-7) are back competing for a region championship following their 64-57 victory over Jo Bryns (20-7) in Tuesday’s semifinal round.

“We had a two-year absence from this game, and early in the year we didn’t know if we’d be here,” said Clay County head coach Rob Edwards. “But credit our guys; they’ve worked so hard and really came a long way.”

Clay County overcame a 13-point deficit (26-13) in the first half as the Bulldogs went on a 21-0 run late in the second quarter through the early portions of the third quarter to take control of the contest.

“We had watched a lot of film, and they (Jo Byrns) hadn’t shot it very well so we started in zone,” said Edwards. “They hit four threes early, so we went man and it changed the entire complexion of the game. We got some steals and big rebounds, and things started rolling our way.”

Nolan Adams led the way with 19 points along with 16 by Lance Burchett and 14 from Nate Adams. Cole Eads tacked on 11 points for the Bulldogs.

Jo Byrns held a 16-9 lead after the first quarter and extended their advantage to 26-13 via a three-pointer midway through the second period.

Clay County responded as a Nate Adams layup with 2:50 left in the second sparked the Bulldogs’ 12-0 run to end the first half, cutting their deficit to one point at at the break at 26-25.

The run wasn’t done at halftime as Clay County scored the first nine points of the third quarter to take a 34-26 lead early in the period. The Bulldogs held Jo Byrns scoreless for nearly a quarter of game action on their 21-0 run.

“It was a combination of everybody,” said Edwards. “Hayden Adams did a great job on their big guy and our guards put on a lot of pressure.”

A Burchett three-pointer extended Clay County’s lead to double digits (40-30) late in the third before Jo Byrns closed out the frame strong to trail by 4 points (48-44) entering the fourth.

After trading baskets early in the fourth quarter, Jo Byrns cut the Bulldogs’ lead to one point at 58-57 with 2 minutes remaining.

“We were trying to be patient, then they got it down to one,” said Edwards. “I have three seniors out on the floor and those guys took over; they got us to the end of the game.”

Clay County’s defense stood strong down the stretch as they shut Jo Byrns out over the final two minutes while Nate Adams and Cole Eads went a perfect 6-6 from the free-throw line during the stretch to seal the 64-57 victory.

The Bulldogs are set to face District 7-1A foe Pickett County in the Region 4-1A championship game on Thursday at 7 p.m. at Livingston Academy. Pickett County is 3-0 against Clay County this season with their last meeting coming in the District 7-1A championship game last week.

“They’re going to be tough,” said Edwards. “Pickett has beat up on us a few times, but we played better in the district championship game. Coach Joseph Amonett does a great job and he has some real players.”

Regardless of Thursday’s outcome, Clay County will play in the Class 1A sectional round on Monday with a state tournament berth on the line against either Chattanooga Prep or Van Buren County.

 

Jacob Amonett’s 26 Points Lead Pickett County To 79-44 Victory Over Gordonsville

The Pickett County Bobcats (23-6) cruised to a 79-44 Region 4-1A semifinal victory over Gordonsville Tuesday evening to clinch their third consecutive region championship game appearance.

“We’re continuing to get better,” said Pickett County head coach Joseph Amonett. “Tonight it was clicking on offense, but our defense was what allowed us to find our pace and get going.”

Pickett County lost their previous meeting to Gordonsville 55-43 on February 11 before avenging that loss with the 35-point win on Tuesday.

“Defensively, after we lost to Clinton and Gordonsville at the end of the year, we’ve taken a step,” said Amonett. “We scouted them really well and figured out what we needed to do.”

Senior point guard and Mr. Basketball finalist Jacob Amonett led the way with 26 points along with 18 by Nathaniel Cobb and 10 from Cole Amonett. J Foster led Gordonsville with 16.

“Jacob had a great game, but Nathaniel Cobb and Eli Reagan had two of the top games they’ve had all season,” said coach Amonett. “We needed them to be aggressive, and they were tonight.”

Pickett County was hot out the gate as they jumped out to a 12-2 lead in the opening three minutes. Back-t0-back three-pointers from Jacob Amonett extended the Bobcats’ advantage to 18-4 with 2:02 left in the frame.

Amonett wasn’t done there as he nailed a transition three at the buzzer to give Pickett County a 25-9 lead after one quarter.

“When Jacob gets going and gets in that flow, it helps us so much as a team,” said coach Amonett. “These guys feed off each other really well, and all five guys on the floor played well tonight.”

Pickett County maintained their advantage in the second quarter as they led 38-23 at halftime.

The Bobcats picked up where they left off in the third quarter as they grew their advantage to 61-42 by the end of the period. Pickett County outscored the Tigers 18-2 in the fourth quarter to win by a 79-44 final score.

Up next for Pickett County is District 7-1A foe Clay County in the Region 4-1A championship game on Thursday at 7 p.m. at Livingston Academy. Pickett County is 3-0 against Clay County this season with their last meeting coming in the District 7-1A championship game last week.

“Clay has had a great year and they’ve really finished strong,” said coach Amonett. “They’re very talented and they’ll have their A-game on Thursday. We’re pretty locked in and want to win a region championship.”

Regardless of Thursday’s outcome, Pickett County will play in the Class 1A sectional round on Monday with a state tournament berth on the line against either Chattanooga Prep or Van Buren County.