The Jr. Bulldogs secured a thrilling victory against the Jr. Cyclones in a double overtime showdown, finishing with a score of 62-60 on December 9, 2023, at Jonesborough Elementary. This intense matchup showcased the competitive spirit of both teams, each aiming for a successful run in their respective districts.
The Jr. Bulldogs faced a significant challenge as they sought to solidify their confidence before the holiday break. In contrast, the Jr. Cyclones had to adapt quickly, missing their key player, Creed Baker, who was sidelined with a fractured foot sustained just a day prior.
From the start, the game delivered high-stakes action. Both teams exchanged short scoring runs, demonstrating their skills and resilience. Early on, Cyclones’ player Carson Lyons secured an offensive rebound, tying the game at 6. The Jr. Cyclones managed to build a slight lead with contributions from Rider Witten, who scored to push TAD ahead 10-5. However, the Bulldogs quickly countered, with Wade Harrison hitting a three-pointer to narrow the gap.
As the game progressed, the Jr. Cyclones maintained a narrow lead into the second period, where Witten’s pair of 3-pointers helped them extend their advantage to 21-14 by halftime. The Bulldogs responded in the third period, with Harrison striking from beyond the arc, shifting the momentum and allowing the Bulldogs to take a brief lead at 27-26.
With the game tightly contested, the Bulldogs pushed their lead to seven points, thanks to a jumper from Rylen Jones and another three-pointer from Harrison. Yet the Cyclones refused to falter, as Witten scored again, pulling the score to 37-35 by the end of the third quarter.
The final period saw both teams trading baskets, with the score tied at 43-43 in the closing seconds. The Bulldogs had opportunities to clinch the win but missed crucial free throws, sending the game into overtime.
In the first overtime, the Bulldogs took the lead with a basket from Harrison, making it 49-46. Yet, a last-second three-pointer from TAD’s Collin Whitehead sent the game into a second overtime.
During the second overtime, Stephen Gorby of the Jr. Cyclones scored a floater to give them a two-point lead at 55-53. The Bulldogs answered with two three-pointers from Allison, reclaiming the lead at 60-56 with just under a minute remaining. After a turnover by the Bulldogs and a subsequent score from the Cyclones, Jayden Johnson tied the game at 60 with less than 20 seconds left.
In a dramatic finish, Hopewell made a contested layup, securing a 62-60 victory for the Bulldogs as the clock ticked down to less than three seconds.
Postgame, Bulldogs’ head coach Leon Tolley praised the efforts of both teams, noting the competitive nature of the match. “We knew it would be a game of runs, and they outplayed us early. We played well at the end, two evenly matched teams. But I want you to share that TA Dugger was missing one of their good players,” he stated.
This thrilling encounter highlighted the resilience and skill of both teams. The Jr. Cyclones, despite the absence of their leading scorer, showcased remarkable tenacity, with Gorby leading their efforts with 19 points. Witten contributed 14 points, while Lyons added 12 points to the scoreboard. For the Bulldogs, both Jones and Harrison scored 17 points, with Allison contributing 14 points.
Looking ahead, there is speculation that these two teams may meet again in the tournament championship game on Monday afternoon, promising yet another exciting matchup.
