It wasn’t easy, and it came down to the wire, as Pineville avoided Middlesboro’s upset attempt during the first round of the 13th Region All ‘A’ Classic Tournament by sliding past the Yellow Jackets with a 73-67 win on Saturday.
The game was close throughout with the Mountain Lions holding a slim 49-48 lead before pulling away in the fourth quarter.
Player of the Game Sawyer Thompson, and Ashton Moser each scored seven points apiece during the final eight minutes while Pineville hit 10-of-13 free throw attempts to pull away in the fourth quarter.
Thompson led all scorers with 25 points while hitting four 3-pointers. He had the hot hand from the start, scoring eight points in the first quarter while adding 10 more in the second quarter, and seven in the fourth quarter.
Moser scored 22 points while Evan Biliter added nine points, and Sam Caldwell finished with seven points.
The win advances the Mountain Lions (9-3) to Monday’s semifinal round against Jackson County.
Brayden Barnard led Middlesboro (3-11) with 20 points while Jerimah Beck finished with 15 points. Trey King added 14 points in the loss.
