©2009 NPT PHOTO BY RUSSELL LAWS

Edgemont's Michael Hood (right) drives for a lay-up in action
against Smoky Mountain at Edgemont on Thursday.

NEWPORT-Tis the season! The Cocke County elementaryschool basketball squads wrapped up the 2009 portion of their schedules with aspecial in-school match-up featuring Edgemont and Smoky Mountain this pastThursday morning at Edgemont.

 

(Girls)

Edgemont 44

Smoky Mountain 31

The Lady Panthers just keep getting better, and the LadyBears simply couldn't do much about it. The Lady Panthers leaped out to a 16-5first-quarter lead, but the Lady Bears kept within striking distance, andpulled to within nine, 22-13, at the half. The Lady Panthers pushed out to a13-point lead, 34-21, after three, and cruised home with the 13-point victory.Taylor Thornton had a game-high 12 points to pace the Lady Panthers whileCourtney Napieralski had eight points to lead the Lady Bears.

Edgemont (44): Taylor Thornton 12, Sharina Cofield 11,Bethanie Williams 9, Delessa Stewart 6, Ashley Hayes 6.

Smoky Mountain (31): Courtney Napieralski 8, MirandaWilliams 7, Cyara Williams 5, Kaitlyn McReynolds 5, Alpha Parton 4, HarleyGregg 2.

 

(Boys)

Smoky Mountain 42

Edgemont 38

The Smoky Bears are missing the services of the injuredDereck Weeks, and were upset in their last contest by Parrottsville. The PurplePanthers had upset in mind as well, but the Smoky Bears managed to hold on. TheSmoky Bears rolled out to an 11-5 first-quarter lead, and pushed the lead toeight, 23-15, at the break. The Purple Panthers cut the Smoky Bears' lead tosix, 34-28, heading into the final six minutes, but the Smoky Bears staved offthe Purple Panthers comeback bid, and snuck away with the four-point victory.Max Weeks had a game-high 15 points to lead the Smoky Bears while KimbelThornton had 14 points to pace the Panthers.

Smoky Mountain (42): Max Weeks 15, Jordan Self 14, JustinShelton 8, Jacob Grooms 4, Cody Valentine 1.

Edgemont (38): Kimbel Thornton 14, Michael Hood 9, BlakeClark 8, Chandler Duckett 5, J.J. Benjamin 2.

 

All of the squads will now enjoy the holidaybreak before returning to action on Tuesday, January 5, with Edgemont atCenterview, Smoky Mountain at home to Northwest, Bridgeport at Cosby and DelRio hosting Parrottsville.