BLOUNTVILLE - The North Greene Huskies left it all on the floor on Tuesday night in an overtime loss to the Hampton Bulldogs 57-53 in the Region 1-1A semifinals.
North Greene coach Sam Tarlton said, "I told them, just give ourselves a chance and they did that. If I have to look at one thing it’s probably a slow start, then turnovers and loose balls. I can’t say more about the effort, they could have laid down many times. I love my kids and proud of their effort that they gave me tonight."
It was a game the many thought would be Mr. Basketball finalist versus Mr. Basketball finalist with Hampton's Caden Buckels goigng head-to-head with Jason Britton of North Greene, but the two only matched up on each other a few times.
Hampton raced out to the early lead 12-1 lead before Britton hit a short jumper and then stole the ball and went coast to coast for the layup. Lance Carrico sank a triple from the key as North Greene inched closer at 14-8 as the first quarter ended.
Buckles started the second quarter with a triple from the elbow and Hayden Campbell powered up a layup from in front to increase the Bulldogs' lead to 21-10.
Britton hit another short jumper, and another steal went coast to coast for a layup as the quarter ended to the Huskies close at 25-17 at the half.
The third quarter saw both teams literally match each other stride for stride but Hampton maintained an eight-point cushion at 37-29.
As the fourth quarter opened North Greene's Luca May was tagged with a personal foul and Sam English was hit with a technical foul during a slight altercation. Buckles hit both technical free throws.
When play resumed Buckles hit both ends of a one-and-one at the 4:15 mark and it looked as if the Huskies were done, down 11 at 45-34.
Buckles would foul out during the Huskies 12-0 run over the next three minutes, taking the lead at 46-45 when Britton sank two free throws at the 1:20 mark.
With the score 48-46 the Huskies were holding for the last shot to win or tie/ Bennett McClain came free in the lane a tied the score with a floater with 3.3 seconds left. The Bulldogs did get off a shot for the win, but it was no good and overtime was needed to settle this one.
Chance Point put the Dogs up early in overtime, but Britton answered with a three from the elbow to put the Huskies up one at 51-50.
Eugene Carrico powered up a layup from in front and was fouled, he sank the free toss and the Bulldogs were up 55-53 with 39 seconds to play.
The Huskies were looking for a good shot when Britton drove to the basket with 17 seconds remaining and was converged on by three Bulldogs. His shot was no good, the Bulldogs rebounded and a fast break sealed the deal for the No.4 ranked team in Class 1A, 57-53.
Hidden inside the great game was that Jason Britton now holds the all-time single season Greene County scoring record with 970 points.
A physically and emotionally drained Britton said, “It feels great because the last record holder, Ja’kobi Gillespie, is a great Division 1 player. To break his record feels amazing."
North Greene
Britton 25, Carrico 3, Malone 5, McClain 4, May 7, T.Britton3, Davenport 2, English 4
Hampton
Buckles 18, Carrico 11, Campbell 7, Point 5, Anspaugh 9, Trivett 3
