Fourth-quarter surge lifts Mavericks over Eagles 71-65
-
Anderson County’s Ethan Nelson takes a short jump shot against a Union County defender during the Jan. 21 game. The Mavericks defeated the Patriots 79-60. - Dwane Wilder
-
Anderson County’s Trent Strickland takes a contested shot against Union County during the Jan. 21 home matchup. The Mavericks won the game 79-60. - Dwane Wilder
As the 2024-25 District 4-AAA basketball season enters its home stretch, the Anderson County High School boys’ basketball team remains unbeaten in league play.
The Mavericks (12-8 overall, 6-0 District 4-AAA) opened the second half of their district schedule with a 71-61 win over Gibbs High School on Friday night in Corryton.
Earlier, Anderson County outlasted Gibbs 71-65 at home on Jan. 14.
The team closed a busy week with an 87-50 rout of Oliver Springs on Jan. 20.
In Friday’s rematch against Gibbs, the Mavericks overcame a slow start and sealed the game with a 14-2 fourth-quarter run.
“I thought we were a little bit stagnant offensively for most of the game outside of the fourth quarter,” Mavs Coach Jordan Jeffers said. “Gibbs did a good job making us play half-court offense.
“We’re better when the game is faster, and our press gave them some trouble,” he said. “Our focus and energy changed in the fourth quarter, and the whole building changed with it.”
The Mavericks trailed 50-48 early in the fourth, but took control after senior Dylan Hopper hit three 3-pointers and Brandon Dake added another long-range shot.
Dake finished with a game-high 25 points, while Hopper contributed 14 points and Hayden Craig added 10.
The Mavericks held a 14-13 lead at the end of the first quarter, but Gibbs (9-13, 2-4) had tied the game at 32 by halftime and held a 50-47 advantage heading into the final period.
Zack Turner led the Eagles with 21 points, and Chase Norman chipped in 18.
