BY BRIAN T. SMITH
BRISTOL HERALD COURIER
Bristol, Tenn. – Tennessee High walked out of the locker before tipoff shouting “It’s a new season!”
The Vikings proved it when they hit the court on Friday evening at Viking Hall.
Hot from outside, strong in the paint and stronger on defense, Tennessee High pounded and put away David Crockett to claim a 69-46 victory in a Big Nine Conference game.
The win gave the Vikings a sweep of the Pioneers – Tennessee High’s girls defeated David Crockett 69-39 earlier in the evening.
“This is definitely the second part of our season,” said Vikings junior guard Corey Young, who scored 12 points, hit three 3-pointers and dished out eight assists. “Coach let us run the floor tonight, so we had fun and I just tried to get the ball to whoever was open.”
Thomas Turnbull scored a team-high 18 points and grabbed seven rebounds to lead the Vikings (8-8, 4-4), while Taylor Harmon added 12 points.
Steven Bennett had a game-high 28 points and knocked down five 3-pointers for the Pioneers (4-11, 0-7), and Clinton Freeman added 10 points.
The Vikings pounded the ball inside early.
Turnbull and Harmon hit two short-range jump shots apiece, and the Vikings held a 14-8 lead heading into the second quarter.
The Pioneers responded by firing away from outside the key.
Bennett nailed a 3-pointer from the top of the circle to pull the Pioneers within 18-15.
Then Harmon picked up on Bennett’s idea.
Harmon rolled off five straight points with a 3 and long 2 from the right wing, and his hot hand sent Tennessee High on a 17-0 run.
Harmon, Jeff Baker, Turnbull, Mason Canty, Young and Ethan Cook all made a mark in the scoring column for Tennessee High while David Crockett drew blanks.
Strong defense and a selfless approach on offense keyed the Vikings’ run, as they outscored David Crockett 21-7 in the second period.
“We’ve been trying to work on getting back on defense, but we just couldn’t stop their transition offense tonight,” Bennett said. “We didn’t get back and that let them get a lot of open shots.”
Meanwhile, Tennessee High coach Roby Witcher was happy to get a strong win after the Vikings struggled through a tough early schedule.
“We put ourselves under the heat with who we played,” Witcher said. “We haven’t had a weak schedule; our eight losses are legit.
“Now we’re ready for the second half of our season, and I think our kids showed that tonight.”
DAVID CROCKETT (46)
Campbell 3, Haston 7, Clinton Freeman 10, Fox 2, Steven Bennett 28.Totals 15 9-19 46.
TENNESSEE HIGH (69)
Corey Young 12, Walton 2, Gilmore 4, Webb 4, Taylor Harmon 12, Baker 9, Canty 6, Thomas Turnbull 18, Cook 2. Totals 31 4-6 69.
David Crockett 9 7 18 12—46
Tennessee High 14 21 15 19—69
3-point goals—DC 6 (Bennett 5, Freeman), TH 3 (Young 3).

TENNESSEE HIGH 69, DAVID CROCKETT 39
The Pioneers were in it. And then they weren’t.
Down 28-19 at halftime, David Crockett closed within 38-32 late in the third quarter after junior guard Lauren Murr converted on a tough layup, was fouled, and then made the free throw for a three-point play.
The Pioneers had momentum, and the Vikings were playing on their heels.
Then Tennessee High went on a 21-0 run.
“We picked up our intensity and picked up our defense,” said junior Vikings guard Sara Wysor, who scored six points. “Then we turned their turnovers into transition points.”
Danielle Montgomery led Tennessee High’s sudden charge.
Montgomery mixed long-range jump shots with slashing drives, and scored 10 of her team-high 18 points during a decisive fourth quarter.
“We reminded our kids about our standards and team goals,” said Vikings (12-6, 7-1) coach Kim Bright. “We turned it up a level and I thought we did a good job of getting to the foul line.”
Nikita Jones added 11 points for Tennessee High, while Sarah Baker scored 10.
Murr led David Crockett (3-10, 1-6) with a game-high 21 points.
“We didn’t block out well and didn’t box out during that run,” said Pioneers coach Jamey Anderson. “We just need to work on being more consistent.”
DAVID CROCKETT (39)
Lauren Murr 21, J. Taylor 4, Adkins 3, Coggins 4, Burgner 0, Gladdin 4.Totals 16 6-11 39.
TENNESSEE HIGH (69)
Snapp 3, Nikita Jones 11, Gross 3, Danielle Montgomery 18, Wysor 6, Wood 2, Buchanan 2, Thornberry 4, Sarah Baker 10, Salyer 9. Totals 25 14-24 69.
David Crockett 17 12 13 6—39
Tennessee High 14 14 17 24—69
3-point goals—DC 1 (Murr), TH 3 (Snapp, Montgomery, Wysor).
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