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Unicoi escapes Lady Longhorns

By Matt Hill

ERWIN — The Johnson County Lady Longhorns proved they can play with anyone in the Three Rivers Conference. Unicoi County proved they could overcome losing four starters, have a coaching change and still be on top.
In what was a classic battle that proved just how tough this league is, the fifth-place Lady Longhorns were a Kourtney Tolley shot just going in and out away from beating the eventual top seed in the District 1-AA Tournament, but the Lady Devils held on and defeated JCHS 51-50 at the Devils Den.
As a result, Unicoi County will be the top seed in the District 1-AA Tournament beginning Thursday or Friday at Elizabethton High School. The Lady Cyclones will be co-conference champion and be the No. 2 seed in the tourney. If Johnson County gets by Happy Valley in the play-in game, these two teams will meet again next Saturday night.
BOYS
Unicoi County 62
Johnson Co. 39
After playing a nail-biter in Mountain City last week, the rematch was not a contest as the Devils totally dominated the Longhorns with every player scoring.
After a horrible start, the Devils have won nine of 11 games and are looking like a threat to make some noise in the District Tournament.