Govs top Seymour in OT, 70-69

By Kelly Franklin
Daily Times Correspondent

As if six games in a day weren't enough, four extra minutes of excitement ended with Micah Ballard's 8-foot bank shot with 6 seconds to play in overtime boosting William Blount to a 70-69 victory over Seymour in opening-day action of the Heritage Thanksgiving Tournament on Friday afternoon.

Ballard and Tyler McGraw each tallied 14 points to help the Governors overcome the 25-point performance of Eagles center Carlton Lounge, who fouled out early in the overtime period.

The Governors trailed 15-10 after one period and 35-26 at the half but used a 26-point barrage after the break to enter the final regulation round up by one, 52-51.

A chance to win without the extra period was booted by the Govs with two turnovers, an errant pass and a charge at midcourt, combined with a nice turnaround jumper in the key by Lounge.

Ty McBrayer hit a floater in the lane and followed with two free throws on the next WB possession for a brief 68-67 lead, but Seymour went up again with 15 seconds remaining on an inside bucket by Skyler Brown.

Ballard took the inbounds, drove the lane, faked to his left then leaned in his 8-footer to give the Govs the final one-point margin of victory.

Lady Mountaineers 60, Hardin Valley 42

The Hardin Valley Lady Hawks often may have the excuse of losing to more experienced players, with their school having no senior class in this first year of existence, and featuring four sophomores and a junior in their starting lineup.

Not on this night.

Heritage (3-1) was led by freshman Miranda Maples, who scored the first six points of the contest on her way to a game-high 14 total, despite playing less than half the contest.

Coach Rick Howard was able to rest his starters for long periods and pulled them for good after they charged out after halftime, already leading 32-20, and scored 13 unanswered points to put away the game.

Ten Lady Mountaineers hit the scoring book in the lopsided victory, with Lauren Burnett joining Maples in double figures with 13 points, including three pops from behind the arc.

"Our pressure defense was the key," Howard said.

Mountaineers 61, Hardin Valley 47

Heritage started slow, trailing 11-10 after one period, but bounced out to a 33-22 halftime lead and never looked back against the Hawks, prevailing in the final game of the tournament's first day.

Lucas Woodruff (13 points), Chris Smelcer (11) and Charlie Hardwick (11) led the scoring for the Mountaineers.

Dominic Ratliff was the lone bright spot for the Hawks, totaling 20 points to lead all scorers.

West 60, Lady Rebels 58

Four West players ended in double figures and the Knoxville squad overcame a slow start to top Maryville.

After falling back 13-5 after the first period, West chipped away to knot the score at 38 entering the final period, in which Latravia Howard scored seven of her 10 points to help pull out the narrow win.

Alexus Patterson led all scorers with 16 for West, while Bailie Roberts led the Lady Rebels with 15 points and Torie Vaught added 14.

Rebels 50, West 38

Ryan Click from outside and Jay Reynolds inside were more than the Knoxville-based Rebels could handle, as Maryville went up 16-6 after one period and was never threatened.

Click hit four treys and finished with 16 points, while Reynolds dominated inside with 22 to lead all scorers. Phillip Stanford (14 points) and Jajuan Williams (11) paced West.

Seymour 46, Lady Govs 34

Andy Rines was successful in his first return trip to the Heritage court, with his Lady Eagles besting William Blount behind 14 points from Cassie Cowan and 12 from Christina Slay. Tatum Burstrom finished with 11 for the Lady Govs.