When push came to shove in the District 1-AAA championship game, the top-seeded Dobyns-Bennett Indians were the ones doing all the pushing and shoving.
The Tribe grabbed control early and cruised to a 60-30 victory over the second-seeded Hilltoppers inside the Buck Van Huss Dome last Friday night. Despite the loss, Science Hill will host a first-round game in the upcoming Region 1-AAA tournament.
Science Hill’s Amare Redd managed to score 14 points, but the Indians did a good job holding Keynan Cutlip – the Hilltoppers’ leading score – in check. The Indians countered with a well-balanced scoring attack as four players scored in double figures.
The Hilltoppers advanced to the championship game by knocking off Daniel Boone in the semifinals on Thursday. Fresh off an upset win over county rival David Crockett, Boone hung tough with the Hilltoppers before a key 14-1 run in the third quarter propelled Science Hill to a 60-47 victory.
Cutlip led Science Hill with 20 points in the win over the Trailblazers while Redd added 17 points. Breidon Gilliam scored 17 points to pace Boone, which went on to beat Volunteer on a buzzer-beater to lock up the third seed in the upcoming Region 1-AAA tournament.
