ACHS ends regular season with sweep
Anderson County’s basketball regular season ended Monday as the Mavericks and Lady Mavericks swept a doubleheader at Halls.
The Lady Mavericks pulled out a 56-53 win over the Lady Devils while the Mavericks rolled to an 80-64 victory over the Red Devils.
Trailing 30-27 at halftime, the Lady Mavs gained momentum in the second half as they pulled even with their hosts 41-41 after three periods before key shooting and timely defense during the final eight minutes allowed Coach Mike Ellis’ team to finish with a 6-8 district record and 17-13 overall.
Maci Howard’s 24 points – including six treys – topped the Lady Mavs. Brooklin McCoy finished with 16.
The victory marked the third straight for the Lady Mavs as they prepared to move into this week’s district tournament at Karns.
“We’ve been playing better recently than we were earlier this season and now we’ll see how we do in the (district) tournament,” Ellis said.
“We were able to get on an offensive role in the second half and we need to continue to play that way in the tournament.”
The Mavs stayed ahead of the Red Devils all night during the boys’ game with scores of 20-17 after one period, 42-27 at halftime and 59-40 after three periods.
“We’re ready for the tournament,” said Mavericks Coach Derek Wallace, whose team IS 9-5 in the district and 19-11 overall.
“Halls stayed with us for a while, but our strong shooting didn’t let them get too close.”
Stanton Martin and Harrison Ogburn shared scoring honors with 17 points each.
Logan Berry added 13. Ogburn put in four treys and Berry two.
The victory seeds AC No. 3 in the district tournament behind Oak Ridge and Central.
The AC teams celebrated Senior Night last Tuesday as they swept Oliver Springs in the regular-season home finale. The Lady Mavericks overwhelmed the Lady Bobcats 74-43 before the Mavericks ran away from the Bobcats 69-31 in the boys’ game.
The Lady Mavericks scored 10 treys, topped by McCoy’s four three-pointers on the way to her team-leading 28 points. Maci Houser hit twice from the outside, finishing with 14 points.
Juliann Smith and Callie Bowling each made two three-pointers.
The Mavericks dominated the third period of the boys’ game highlighted by outscoring the Bobcats 18-1 during the third period. Ryland Ford topped the Mavs with 11 points. Harrison Ogburn collected three treys.
The Mavericks held on for a 40-39 home victory over Scott Monday.
Ogburn put the Mavs ahead for good when he made a driving layup with 22 seconds remaining. Scott missed three shots in the closing seconds to seal the AC win. Martin topped the Mavs with 12 points while Ogburn and Grant Hayes each sank a three-pointer.
The Lady Mavericks suffered a 61-58 loss to Scott in the opener.
The Lady Mavs were ahead 19-11 after one period before the Lady Highlanders controlled much of the tempo during the remainder of the contest. The Lady Mavs had a chance to tie the score at the final buzzer, but the shot missed its mark.
McCoy led the Lady Mavs with 13 points while Houser and Emily Varner scored 10 apiece. Houser and Varner each sank two treys.
The Lady Mavs won an easy 64-24 decision Friday at Oakdale. Fifteen treys were scored by the Lady Mavs, including four by Smith, three by McCoy and Varner, two each by Houser and Kylie Alvis and one by Tea Hickson. McCoy had 16 points. Smith 13 and Houser 10.
The Mavs suffered a 92-78 loss at Oakdale. Despite the defeat, four Mavs finished in double figures, including Tanner Davis with 18, Ogburn 15, Martin 13 and Hayes 12.