CORBIN VICTORY

 The Corbin Redhounds outscored the Pigeon Forge Tigers 26-15 in the fourth quarter to pull out a first-round win in the 24^th Annual Cumberland Falls Invitational Tournament at Corbin High School Monday night.

The Redhounds (6-3) trailed by one (35-34) entering the final period. Corbin scored the first two baskets of the quarter (Robbie Igo and Travis Smith) to take a 39-35 lead in the game. They were able to hit 13-of-14 free throws down the stretch to build their lead to ten and hold off the pesky Tigers.

“We stepped up and made the shots,” said Corbin Coach Tony Pietrowski. “The kids did what they had to do to win the game.”

He especially like the defensive play of Hunter Sizemore who had to guard Pigeon Forge star Andy Barnett. Barnett tossed in 13 points to lead the Tigers and was instrumental in keeping the visitors in the game, but was held scoreless in the final quarter.

“We knew he was their best player, but we didn’t know what kind of skills he had,” said Pietrowski. “I am real happy with Hunter’s play in the last three or four games. He has done a great job defending. We are asking him 90 percent of the time to guard someone bigger than him or their best offensive player, so that’s a challenge.”

The Tigers broke out to a 4-0 lead only to see the Redhounds score the next nine points as Brody Freeman got Corbin on the scoreboard first with a pair of free throws. Smith followed with a basket, Taylor Jones added two free throws then hit a 3-pointer for the 9-4 lead. Corbin led 11-7 at the end of the first eight minutes.

A 6-2 run to start the second quarter saw the Redhounds take a 15-7 lead, however Barnett got the hot hand and Pigeon Forge went on a 14-6 run to tie the game at 21-all. Barnett’s 3-pointer with 3:30 left in the quarter tied the game.

The teams traded baskets before Corbin’s Matthew Taylor hit a 3-pointer and Sizemore followed with a basket that allowed the Redhounds to go to the dressing room with a 28-23 lead.

The Tigers took advantage of a cold-shooting third quarter by the Redhounds to outscore Corbin 12-6. Barnett tied the game 33-33 with 3:30 left in the period. Pigeon Forge went ahead 35-33, before Taylor Jones hit one of two from the line for the final point of the quarter, giving the Tigers a one-point lead heading into the fourth quarter.

Corbin will face the North Laurel Jaguars in Wednesday’s first semifinal at 7:30 p.m. “He does (Jim Conway) a great job,” said Pietrowski. “He kept his team in the game and kept it within three or four points then all of a sudden they make a shot or two that really changed the flow of the game.

I think he does an excellent job of that. They have to feel really good about the way they are playing with their big kid inside. They catch the ball well, they are strong and have nice post moves.”

“They have a couple of kids that can really shoot the ball,” said Pietrowski. “It will definitely be a tough match up for us.”

Three Redhounds finished in double figures with Smith leading the way with 15 points. Freeman added 15 points while Jones tossed in 10 points.

Corbin 60, Pigeon Forge 50

Pigeon Forge              7  16  12  15- 50

Corbin               11  17    6  26- 60

   Pigeon Forge (50) – Ownby 3, Barnett 13, Black 2, Justice 10, Tinker 10, Crowe 12.

   Corbin (60) – Freeman 15, Jones 10, Sizemore 5, Smith 19, Taylor 7, Igo 4.