Article Preview

TAD boys drop ’Skins for berth in 1-AAA finale

By Staff Reports

KINGSPORT — Like sand from a closed fist, victory could have seeped away from T.A. Dugger’s boys basketball team Tuesday night.

Instead, the Jr. Cyclones delivered the goods at crunch time for a 48-46 conquest of Ross Robinson in the Area 1-AAA semifinals at John Sevier.

With a sectional berth already in hand, TAD will face Liberty Bell in tonight’s championship tilt — which begins at 8.

It was a hard-fought game with the Redskins, one that saw the Jr. Cyclones build a sizable early lead. Ross Robinson, however, caught back up near the end of the second quarter, then nudged ahead for a 26-22 halftime advantage.

Still trailing (33-31) after three periods of play, TAD rose to the occasion with a good offensive showing in the fourth quarter (17 points). The Jr. Cyclones were able to grab a late lead, then maintain it for the triumphant result.

Led by Russell Carter and Michael Robinson, several TAD players were of significant value.