The Herald-News - News Story

For the second year in a row, the Spring City Bulldogs have reached the pinnacle of area middle school basketball: the Sequatchie Valley Conference Championship.

This year's victory came in convincing fashion as the hometown boys bowled past Bledsoe County Middle School 57-40 in the final game of the postseason tournament, which was played at Marion County High School.

"We came out with a lot of energy, and definitely a lot of intensity and determination to repeat as conference champions," SCMS Head Coach Cara Howell said. "The boys were tenacious in what they set out to do. Their goal all season was to be conference champions, and they accomplished it."

Spring City did so in a game that was not particularly close. In fact, none of their tournament games were, as the Bulldogs won by 27, 19 and 17 points.

"These eighth graders are a really special group. Whatever they set out to do, they'll accomplish great things, whether on or off the court," Howell said.

Eighth-grader Taylor Jenkins led the scoring barrage in the title match, draining 19 points in addition to pulling down seven rebounds, blocking four shots and taking one charge.

Classmate Macay Hedrick added 10 points, 16 boards, four steals and two blocked shots to the Bulldog effort.

All-tournament MVP Dylan Pritchett added nine points, while David Loden sank eight.

All four were named to the SVC All-Tournament team, along with Rhea Central's Austin Dotson and Chad Arnold.

Spring City held an 18-8 lead after one quarter, which they expanded to 32-20 at the half.
Though Bledsoe won the third quarter 13-12, the Bulldogs chomped down in the fourth for the impressive 17-point margin of victory.

"This was a good team effort, and the boys were having fun," Howell said.

Howell said she selected Pritchett for the MVP for several reasons.

"Dylan came out and played hard the whole tournament. When we were lacking excitement in the second game, he put the team on his back and carried us," Howell said.

Lady Bulldogs SVC Champs

Spring City dominated the SVC tournament, as the Lady Bulldogs won the girls' division title in addition to the boys

The Lady Bulldogs battled with Bledsoe County into overtime, but won 39-37.

"We've been to three overtimes this year and won everyone of them," Spring City Head Coach Pam Hawkins said. "This is one of the hardest working groups I've ever had, and nobody deserves it more than them."

The Lady Bulldogs had a balanced scoring effort from Julie Brown, Morgan Owensby and Hannah Dye, who each posted nine points, though it was Katie Loden who led the hometown girls with 10 points as well as five steals on the night.

All four received All-Tournament honors with Brown being named the tourney MVP. Rhea Central's Tori Gentry and Kelsie Miles were also named to the all-tournament team.

A balanced effort was key in the championship game, as Bledsoe County found out the hard way. The Lady Warriors best shooter, Briley Stult scored a field-leading 16 points before fouling out in the fourth quarter, effectively missing the entire three-minute overtime period.

Spring City's Brown picked up her fifth foul in OT, but the Lady Bulldogs' depth negated the loss.

Neither team drained a free throw during free basketball, though seven were attempted.

The game was instead decided by field goals. Spring City's Dye scored one early in the period on an assist by Owensby , followed shortly by a putback by Loden.

Bledsoe's lone overtime points came on a jumpshot by Destiny Smith with 43 seconds remaining.

SCMS, Bledsoe, RCES, Whitwell and South Pittsburg will represent the SVC in this week's region tournament at Rhea Central Elementary.

Cathy Barnes can be contacted at cathy.barnes@rheaheraldnews.com.