EHS boys, girls blast Golden Raiders

By Allen LaMountain
ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR

   Using quickness and defensive tenacity, the Elizabethton Cyclones won their second straight Watauga Conference contest by blowing away the Sullivan North Golden Raiders 81-31 on Friday night at Treadway Gymnasium.
   The Cyclones improved to 2-1 (2-0 Watauga Conference), while North fell to (0-1, 1-2).
   The Cyclones forced North into 16 turnovers, and accumulated a dozen steals as well as EHS roared to a 31-1 tally at the end of the first period.
   "We really had them confused with our defense," said Cyclone guard B.J. Miller. "Their coach told Coach Hardin that they didn't know what to do with our defense. I think it's a credit to how hard we work in practice and our mental preparation going into each game."
   EHS led 21-0 before North was able to get on the scoreboard after a technical foul was given to Vince Redd for hanging on the rim after a dunk attempt.
   Matt Edens hit one of two from the free throw line to stave off being blanked in the period, but North could never manage any kind of run as the Cyclones were simply too big, and too quick for the Raiders.
   Elizabethton went into the break with a 52-13 lead, and were never threatened the rest of the way.
   Jordan Lambert led all scorers with 16 points, while Miller and Eric Stout each posted 13 point efforts on the night.
   Lambert also led the Cyclones from the three-point arc, hitting three-of-eight from long range. Miller was two-of-four from beyond the arc for Betsy.
   Phillip Scarsellone led the Raiders with 11 points and eight boards, while Lance Carter scored eight.
   "Our double down rotation was as good tonight as I have ever seen it," commented Cyclone head coach Tony Hardin. "We work on drills every day in practice to trap and get steals, and we try to improve on it every time on the floor. We also have good chemistry on this team, and a lot of guys helping out each other here."
   Girls
   Elizabethton.........................58
   Sullivan North.......................39
   The Lady Cyclones used an 18-7 third-quarter advantage to pull away from the visiting Lady Golden Raiders and post a 58-39 win on Friday night.
   The win kept the Lady Cyclones unbeaten at 5-0 (2-0 conference), while Sullivan North fell to (0-2, 0-4) on the young season.
   EHS led 28-21 at the break, but went on a seven-point run to open the third period to go up 35-21 as Rikki Baughman, and Tanya Dykes each had steals leading to quick buckets.
   "Two keys for us are rebounding, and taking care of the ball," said Lady Cyclone head coach Mike Wilson. "We are good enough offensively and defensively to stay with anyone on our schedule. It will come down to how well we rebound and take care of the ball."
   Senior post Beth Holtsclaw led all scorers with 17 points, while Baughman added 15 and Lacy Lane chipped in with 12 points for 'Betsy.
   Holtsclaw added nine rebounds to her game's tally as Betsy outrebounded North by a 26-19 tally.
   "We have some young kids that are playing well off the bench for us," continued Wilson. "We haven't had that in the past, and Rikki gives us a little bit of everything. She can score, rebound, and defend. Her and Tanya (Dykes) do a good job, as does Brandy (Fairman) at taking care of the ball."
   Kim Doran led Sullivan North with 15 points, while Ashley McMurray added five to the Raider effort.
   "Beth, Lacy and Brandy have really matured this season," said Wilson. "That has helped the underclassmen get better as well, and when you have good athletes like Tanya and Rikki to blend in with the others it makes you better."