Magic, Grizzlies big winners

By Marvin Birchfield
STAR CORRESPONDENT

   The Elizabethton Star Boys Club Holliday Tournament wrapped up on Monday, as the Jonesborough Tigers were awarded champions with a win over the Magic by a final of 60-52 in the 13 & under league.
   "What this tournament is about is to get ready for the upcoming conference tournament, and hopefully we will be ready," said Jonesborough coach Chris Lambert.
   Jonesborough repelled a late game rally, after the Magic knocked down six three-point goals in the final minutes.
   The Magic scored the first basket of the contest, when Tim Franklin missed on a shot inside and grabbed his own rebound for the two-point goal.
   A rebound and put back from John Hyatt pulled the Tigers even, but an 8-3 run from the Magic gave them a 10-5 advantage in the first three minutes of the half.
   The Tigers came back to go on a 11-2 run of their own, after David Murray connected with a couple baskets off the rebound inside.
   "We rebounded the ball really well early in the game, and when our big man gets some more game in under him, then we should be better," said Jonesborough coach Pappy Crowe.
   Jonesborough opened up a five-point advantage, when Alex Broyles knocked down a three-point goal with nine minutes left.
   The Magic were having trouble containing the size of the Tigers down-low, as Murray and Hyatt combined for 19 of Jonesborough's first-half scores.
   Hyatt converted the basket inside with time expiring, giving the Tigers a 29-20 lead at the half.
   The Magic came out to capture the first two goals of the second-half, when Franklin hit a shot inside and Blake Hopson nailed an eight-foot jumper.
   Jonesborough built a 13-point advantage, after Broyles hit three fast break baskets, and Murray continued to take control inside the paint.
   "We moved the ball down the floor and got some easy fast breaks, plus we hit some shots down the clutch," said Lambert.
   It was looking very bleak for the Magic with seven minutes left in the game, but some magical shooting in the next four minutes put them right back in contention.
   A three-pointer from Scott Burleson started the change of momentum, as he ended up with two down the stretch.
   Hopson and Robert Davenport hit two three's apiece to pull the Magic within 53-50 with two minutes left.
   The Tigers were too strong from the free-throw line in the end by hitting nine of them to close out the victory.
   "We had a chance to play really well and we didn't, but we came back in the end to hit some big free-throws," said Crowe.
   11 and Under
   Bluff City 42
   Mt. City 30
   The Bluff City Grizzlies finished in the top spot in the 11 & under league by defeating Mt. City Magic 42-30.
   "We passed the ball around really well tonight, and hit some free-throws in the end that helped us," said Bluff City coach Alan Newman.
   The Grizzlies exploded a ten-point lead by the half 23-13, after being tied at 8-8 halfway through the first.
   Cody Fleenor dominated the inside for Bluff City to score 13 points, while Jacob Newman ran the break to acquire 12 points.
   Mt. City was led by Travis Grindstaff, who poured in 12 points, along with Shawn Captain who added 10.
   "They work hard together and are getting better everyday, and we enjoyed coming over here and being invited, "said Newman.