Cyclones ring Montgomery's bellfrom

staff reports

   NASHVILLE-- Area public schools haven't fared too well against private academies recently. The Elizabethton High School boys basketball team may have started a reversal of that trend Thursday night.
   The Cyclones pulled off a 54-49 win over powerful Montgomery Bell Academy in a non-conference showdown at MBA.
   "It was a very good win," Elizabethton head coach Tony Hardin said. "That was the first very good man defense we've seen. We came down here to try and get better, and I think we did that tonight."
   Vince Redd continued his domination Thursday night. He finished with 19 points and nine rebounds.
   B.J. Miller added 11 points to the Cyclones' cause.
   One player that Hardin was highly complementary of happened to be Walter Brown. Brown finished with nine points, but was in foul trouble after netting three fouls in the first half.
   Brown didn't commit a foul in the second half.
   "I was real pleased with his effort," Hardin said.
   Jeffrey Hollis topped Montgomery Bell with 19 points.
   Elizabethton came up with a win despite Montgomery Bell making 11 three-point shots.
   Montgomery Bell only had four players score, compared to seven for Elizabethton.
   Elizabethton will be in action tonight against Sycamore.