Holiday tournament time

Holiday tournament time is upon us and whether it is in Gatlinburg, Rowan County or hosting their own, Corbin, Whitley County and Williamsburg are in the midst of it.

Corbin defeated Williamsburg Friday night, snapping the Yellow Jackets’ season-opening five game winning streak, 77-53.

Five Redhounds scored in double figured led by Brody Wells with 17. Hayden Llewellyn added 17. Trey Worley score 12. Zander Curry had 11 and Carter Stewart scored 10.

Corbin opened the Smokey Mountain Christmas Classic Tournament at Gatlinburg on Monday against Saltillo, Mississippi, with additional games against unknown opponents.

The Redhounds will continue on the road to Belfry in eastern Kentucky beginning next Tuesday  to play three games in the Mountain Schoolboy Classic.

Corbin will open up against Magoffin County at 6 p.m.

On Dec. 29, the Redhounds will face Shelby County at 2 p.m, and on Dec. 30 they will face Johnson Central at 4 p.m.

Williamsburg Yellow Jackets

Williamsburg’s Evan Steely led the Jackets in Friday’s loss to Corbin with 28 points. Dre Ellis added 12 points.

“I think we went into Corbin with the physicality and the mental challenge and didn’t respond well,” said Coach Eric Swords. “I think it was good for our team because we understand the challenge involved in playing on the road in the 50^th District.”

Swords said the team responded with a solid practice on Saturday and then defeated Jackson City Monday night, 78-23.

Martin Shannon led the way with 18 points. Dre Ellis added 12 and Clay McFarland and Evan Steely each scored 11.

The Jackets were back in action Tuesday night, hosting Jackson County. The game had not yet been completed as of press time.

Williamsburg will host the Bill Perkins Holiday Classic beginning Tuesday night against King’s Academy out of Seymour, Tennessee.

Williamsburg will also play in the tournament Wednesday and Thursday against opponents that are to be determined.

“We tried to schedule that in preparation for the All “A” 13^th Region Tournament,” Swords said noting that the holiday tournaments should help in preparation for that.

Whitley County Colonels

Whitley County wrapped up its schedule until after Christmas with victories Friday and Saturday at the Stock Yards Bank & Trust Challenge at Rowan County.

The Colonels defeated Rowan County, 69-65.

On Saturday, Whitley County defeated Lewis County, 53-41.

With the wins, the Colonels improved to 5-1 on the season.

“We are playing together,” said Coach Austin Horn. “Every game we have been sharing the ball pretty well. We have played a lot better than what our experience is. Some key guys have stepped up.”

Whitley County will be back in action beginning Tuesday at the Magnolia Bank Holiday Classic in LaRue County against Crittenden County.

The Colonels will play again in the tournament Wednesday and Thursday.

Other teams scheduled to play in the tournament include: LaRue County, Apollo, Nelson County and Rockcastle County.

“We have been playing with great effort and intensity with the guys giving maximum effort and holding each other accountable,” Horn said. “Defensively we have come a long way.”