Cyclones fall short against Ezell-Harding

By Ivan Sanders
STAR CORRESPONDENT

   The Cyclones knew for them to win against Ezell-Harding they would have to shut down Julian Terrell, a Vanderbilt Commodore signee. They didn't count on having to do it without B.J. Miller.
   Miller, who took a tough fall in the game against Brentwood, suffered a severe hip bruise that didn't surface until later in the day while visiting a mall.
   As a result, the Cyclones fought valiantly before bowing to a very athletic Ezell-Harding squad 59-49 in the Brentwood Eagles Christmas Tournament in Nashville.
   Vince Redd, Elizabethton's 6'6" post-player, held the 6'9" Terrell in check most of the contest before fouling out with six minutes left in the contest. Terrell managed 10 points, including a slam dunk, and three blocks on defense including one against Redd.
   The Cyclones missed several outside shots early in the contest, as Ezell-Harding managed to outscore EHS 24-16 at the end of the first half of play. Even though Ezell-Harding had the lead, it was well below their average as they score around 70 to 80 points a contest.
   Jordan Lambert caught fire in the third quarter, nailing back-to-back treys, and helping the Cyclones to eventually tie the score at 30-30.
   Ezell-Harding managed to gain a slight edge entering the fourth quarter. Ahead 39-33 with six minutes left, the Cyclones suffered a blow as Redd fouled out with the Cyclones in the thick of the contest.
   After Redd went to the pine, EHS stayed close before Ezell went on a small run and held off the Cyclones in the closing minutes to take the win.
   Despite the outcome, the Cyclones played some impressive defense. They forced seven steals and drew two charging fouls against Ezell, one by Redd and the other by Lambert.
   Offensively, the Cyclones were 4-of-17 from the three-point arc for 24 percent. Redd didn't record a point in the second half for EHS.
   Lambert led the Cyclones with 14, while Eric Stout stepped up with a great offensive game to record 11. Redd and Walter Brown contributed eight each.
   For Ezell-Harding, Erik Davis led the way with 13 followed by J.P. Shelley with 11 and Terrell's 10.
   The Cyclones will next face Tabernacle Baptist from the Bahamas in the opening round of the Arby's Classic, which begins on Wednesday after Christmas.