Bell County swept a district doubleheader Thursday against visiting Middlesboro, coasting to a 79-45 victory in the girls game before edging the Jackets 62-60 in the nightcap.
The Lady Cats fell behind 15-11 after one quarter but took control by outscoring Middlesboro 24-8 in the second quarter and 30-16 in the third period.
Senior forward Gracie Jo Wilder led the 12-8 Lady Cats with 32 points. Lauren McGeorge added 18.
Keevi Betts, a junior guard, paced the 5-14 Lady Jackets with 22 points. Emily Lambert added 11.
“It’s good to get a district win. We started the game out sluggish, but give credit to Middlesboro for that. They competed hard,” Bell County coach David Teague said. “I thought we got going and did some good things on both ends of the floor in the second half.”
“We’ve had a tough stretch of games and have a tough stretch ahead. It was good to get a needed win. ‘We’ll get back at it in practice and keep working to get better.”
Ethan Buell led a balanced Bell County attack with 20 points. Blake Burnett and Cameron Hall added 18 and 17 points, respectively, for the 17-4 Bobcats, who broke a four-game losing streak with the win and improved to 1-2 in district action.
Jerimah Beck scored 26 for the Jackets, who fell to 7-11 overall and 0-4 in district action. Trey King added 17 points.
———
Bell County (62) — Cameron Hall 17, Blake Burnett 18, Jaxon Thomas 2, Ethan Buell 20, Cayden Huff 2, Braxton Ferguson 3.
Middlesboro (60) — Cayden Grigsby 6, Jerimah Beck 26, Joseph Killion 8, Trey King 17, Bryce Bowling 3.
Middlesboro 14 6 23 17 — 60
Bell County 11 15 17 19 — 62
———
Bell County (79) — Neveah Allen 7, Lauren McGeorge 18, Kairi Lamb 7, Kylee Greer-Gann 6, Gracie Wilder 32, Addyson Lucas 4, Jada Boateng 2, Jaelyn Reader 3.
Middlesboro (45) — Keevi Betts 22, Halaya Brown 4, Aieza Ahmad 2, Morgan Martin 4, Jenna Baker 2, Emily Lambert 11.
Middlesboro 15 8 16 6 — 45
Bell County 11 24 30 14 — 79