CHURCH HILL — Having lost to its archrival twice during the regular season, the Cherokee boys basketball team emerged victorious when it mattered most.
Colten McLain and Braxton Markham carried the fifth-seeded Chiefs to a 65-55 triumph at Volunteer in Friday’s District 2-3A play-in game, clinching a trip to the Region 1-3A tournament as well as reaching the district semifinals.
McLain dropped 30 points and Markham had 21 for Cherokee. In addition to hitting seven of the Chiefs’ 13 field goals from 2-point range, McLain went 13-for-15 at the free-throw line. Markham buried four 3-pointers and went 7-for-11 from the charity stripe.
Leading 12-10 after one quarter, Cherokee never looked back after building a 36-23 halftime advantage. Elisha Jones had seven first-half points.
Lucas Gilliam, with 15 points, and Tucker McLain, with 10, made five baskets each to hit double figures for the Falcons. Owen Miller added nine and Owen Tullock eight.
Volunteer, hit hard by graduation after last year’s state tournament trip, finished 4-24.
Cherokee faces Greeneville in the District 2-3A semifinals at Claiborne on Saturday.
NEW TAZEWELL — Claiborne trailed by three points at halftime but rallied over the final two quarters to keep its season alive in the District 2-3A play-in game.
The Lady Bulldogs advanced to the semifinal round to face No. 1 seed Greeneville at 3 p.m. on Saturday.
Ava Morgan’s game-high 20 points weren’t enough for the Lady Chiefs, who finished 6-21. Morgan had nine in the first quarter and 10 in the fourth, burying three 3-pointers. Lilly Henley added seven points.
Brinkley Hollin led Claiborne with 15 points, 11 in the second half. Allie Jones added eight and Jacy Ferguson seven.
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