BLOUNTVILLE — Daniel Boone senior Brayden Blankenship prayed before Tuesday’s game that he’d get to make a meaningful 3-point basket for his team. He did that and then some.
After hitting a go-ahead 3-pointer, Blankenship calmly sank two free throws that ultimately made the difference in the District 1-4A championship game. As a result, the Trailblazers won their first district crown since 2010 with a 57-55 triumph over Science Hill at the Evelyn Rafalowski Athletic Complex.
Blankenship matched tournament MVP Tim McGonigle with a team-high 17 points for the Trailblazers (16-14), who trailed 53-46 after a Jabriel Fain layup with 1:48 to play.
Following a Clay Rowland 3, Garrison Jones scored through contact off a turnover to make it a 53-51 game with 1:10 left.
Henry Hamlin, who scored eight points, grabbed another offensive rebound and kicked the ball out to Blankenship on the wing. Blankenship buried the go-ahead triple with 1:02 to play, and his free throws made it 57-53 with 36.2 seconds left.
Hamlin also forced a contested shot by the Hilltoppers(20-11) as time expired.
“We don’t win the game unless (Hamlin) makes those plays,” Boone coach Chris Brown said. “I’m just so happy for them because I know the time and effort those guys put in.”
McGonigle made four 3-pointers and Blankenship hit three. Jones scored all seven of his points in the fourth quarter.
“That was just a true show of what we can do,” Blankenship said. “Coach Brown preaches it. … We’ve persevered through bad times. It’s just how we’re made over here.”
Brady Lawson had a game-high 19 points for Science Hill, which lost for only the second time in 15 games — both to Boone.
Fain finished with 14 points and Oliver Peterson 11.
Mason Wood’s second 3 put Science Hill up 39-31 entering the fourth quarter and two Fain layups pushed it to 49-39 with 3:34 remaining.
The game was tied at 27 at halftime.
Dobyns-Bennett 65, West Ridge 39
The Indians shook off Saturday’s double-overtime heartbreaker to earn a rematch with Morristown West, finishing third in the tournament with the convincing win over West Ridge.
Cam Hayworth drained four 3-pointers and led all scorers with 22 points for the Indians (14-14), who split with the Trojans during the regular season.
Charlie McHugh scored all nine of his points in the second half, and Major Dawson finished with eight. Jeremiah Jones made all five of his free-throw attempts and added seven.
Hayworth knocked down his second 3-pointer with 50 seconds until halftime, capping a 7-0 spurt and giving the Tribe a 29-20 lead.
After a Trent Tatum layup, D-B allowed just two points over the next 8:52, building a 45-24 cushion.
Sawyer Tate buried three 3s and had 11 points to lead the Wolves (15-14). Tatum added eight points and Trey Frazier seven.
Tate’s first 3 gave the Wolves their only lead at 3-2, after which D-B responded with 10 straight points. A Hayworth triple made it 12-3, but West Ridge answered with a 10-1 spurt. Frazier tied the score at 13 with on his 3-pointer 1:45 into the second quarter, but Hayworth’s layup seven seconds later put D-B ahead to stay.
Up Next
The Region 1-4A quarterfinals tip at 7 p.m. on Saturday. Boone hosts Jefferson County and Science Hill entertains Sevier County. D-B visits Morristown West and West Ridge goes on the road to Morristown East.
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