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Bulldogs bows to Jr. Bucs

By Allen LaMountain

JOHNSON CITY — The Hampton Bulldogs expected to turn up the heat on University High at Brooks Gym Friday night, but ended up losing their cool as they were attempting to make a second-half comeback.

Senior post Johnny Fields’ double technical foul after an altercation with University High’s Marshall Hurley drew him an ejection, adding fuel to the Junior Buccaneers fire as UH posted an upset victory over Hampton, 67-63.

“You have to control your emotions,” Hampton head coach Ned Smith said. “It’s a big crowd, loud environment. You are going to get bumped, but you have to keep yourself under control.

“It wasn’t just that though, we didn’t guard their big shooters well, we lost track of them and didn’t rotate to the ball well enough. They made big shots down the stretch.”

Guard Marcus Taylor was the emotional and scoring leader for University High, collecting a game-high 22 points and controlling head coach Justin Penley’s offense to a high degree, slashing to the basket and dishing underneath for several easy inside buckets.