Science Hill Turns Back the Clock in DoubleTree Roundball Classic Win Over Meigs County
by TREY WILLIAMS
TriCitiesSports.com
December 7, 2018
JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. – Science Hill turned back the clock – and then clocked its opponent.
Wearing brand-new uniforms discovered from the Mike Poe or George Pitts era and playing in their former home, the ‘Topper Palace, the Hilltoppers went on a 27-2 run that spanned halftime and cruised to a 69-37 defeat of Meigs County.
The game was part of the DoubleTree Roundball Classic, which included a girls game in the ‘Palace and four games in Science Hill’s newer gym.
Science Hill coach Ken Cutlip’s son Kendle led the Hilltoppers with 19 points. He made 5 of 7 attempts from 3-point range.
The ‘Toppers (6-5) were 12 of 24 from behind the arc and created 23 turnovers. Senior point guard Will Stevens made the game’s first basket – a 3-pointer on a kick-out assist from post Jake Matherne – and drove for a crowd-pleasing interior assist to Laithen Shingledecker on Science Hill’s third basket.
Stevens was eager to set the tone while shedding his No. 24 jersey for the No. 10 worn by his father, Corbin, and uncle Demetric. The jersey was from the era of Demetric, an all-state performer for Pitts and Poe. Corbin, a point guard, played a key role in Science Hill’s first state championship run in 1990.
“It was a dream come true to wear 10 in the old gym to represent my dad and my uncle, especially with the old uniforms,” Will Stevens said.
Stevens made two treys en route to eight points. Andrew Miller (six points) also made a pair of 3-pointers and Thomas Messimer (nine points) hit three treys.
“Kendle shot it well tonight,” Stevens said. “I think tonight was the night we were all eager for as shooters because everybody stepped up and knocked down shots.”
In addition to being overmatched with a young team, Meigs County coach Sammy Perkinson was having trouble matching his defenders up with shooters due to many of the ‘Toppers wearing different uniform numbers.
“It shouldn’t have taken us that long to find ‘em, but they wore their old jerseys,” Perkinson said. “And, of course, I didn’t know Kenny’s son could shoot as good as he did tonight. He really shot the ball well.”
Perkinson was impressed with the way Stevens and fellow lead guard Jordan McCloyd (six points) pushed the pace.
“It makes a difference when you’ve got guards that can set people up and penetrate and break the defense down,” Perkinson said. “But you can’t beat anybody turning the ball over with unforced turnovers. I think we had 18 turnovers in the first half. I know we had 10 in the first quarter.”
Science Hill also essentially got extra possessions via offensive rebounds, primarily from Drew Morrison.
“Drew really carried us with his rebounding,” Stevens said. “Seven offensive rebounds is outstanding and really helped with the second-chance shots he created.”
Stevens drove the baseline and kicked to the right corner for a Cutlip 3-pointer that capped the 27-2 run and gave Science Hill a 42-13 lead with 6:26 left in the third quarter. McCloyd assisted Cutlip’s trey from the right corner on the Hilltoppers’ ensuing basket.
Ball movement was crisp and assisted field goals were the norm.
“The team is still buying in and starting to play for each other,” Stevens said, “which helps the team overall, especially on the defensive end.”
Meigs County fell to 0-7 on the season.
“We’re young, inexperienced, just got the football players back,” Perkinson said. “And I put my team in a tough spot. I knew it would be like this.
“Our guard play’s not extremely good. I’ve got a starting freshman guard and he got exposed tonight. It wasn’t his fault. I threw him into a dang hornet’s nest. They knew my best guard and they doubled him all night, made him give it up and made it tough on him.”
Science Hill will play Sullivan Central at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday.
MEIGS COUNTY (37) -- Owens 1 0-0 2, Huckabay 0 0-0 0, Baker 3 1-4 7, Boshears 0 0-0 0, Swafford 4 2-2 11, Anderson 0 0-0 0, Fritts 1 0-0 2, Caldwell 0 0-0 0, Davis 3 2-2 9, Shaver 0 0-1 0, Newman 3 0-1 6. Totals 15 5-10 37.
SCIENCE HILL (69) -- Stevens 3 0-0 8, McCloyd 2 2-2 6, Key. Cutlip 0 0-0 0, Miller 2 0-0 6, Redd 1 0-0 2, Ken. Cutlip 5 4-5 19, Messimer 3 0-0 9, Phillips 1 0-2 2, Mazoff 0 1-4 1, Morrison 2 1-2 5, Matherne 2 0-0 4, Shingledecker 3 1-1 7. Totals 24 9-16 69.
Meigs County | 11 | 2 | 15 | 9 | -- 37 |
Science Hill | 18 | 19 | 16 | 16 | -- 69 |
3-point goals—Meigs County 2 (Swafford 1, Davis 1); Science Hill 12 (Ken. Cutlip 5, Messimer 3, Stevens 2, Miller 2).