Anytime the Middlesboro Yellow Jackets and the Pineville Mountain Lions hook up in any sport, the game is expected to be a classic matchup.
The boys’ game turned out to be an instant classic that wasn’t decided until Ashton Moser hit a free throw with 7.4 seconds remaining to help the Lions escape with a 60-59 victory in the first game of the evening.
Moser and Sawyer Thompson, both junior guards, had big games offensively for Pineville, scoring 31 and 28 points each.
Senior center Trey King had a monster game for the 7-13 Jackets, pouring in 32 points.
The girls’ matchup wasn’t quite the nail-biter with the Lady Lions jumping out to a big early lead and winning going away 66-33 in the late game.
The girls’ game was a big night all around for senior guard Nadine Johnson. Johnson poured in 27 points, surpassed the 2,000-point plateau in her stellar career, and was elected homecoming queen to boot. Junior guard Ava Arnett added 13 points to the winning effort.
Guard Keevie Betts had a nice game for the Lady Jackets (5-17 ), leading her club with 18 points.
Pineville jumped out to a 45- 18 halftime advantage and outscored the Lady Jackets 22-15 the rest of the way to go on to the victory.
Pineville (15-6) returns to action Thursday at Red Bird. The 16-4 Lady Lions return to action Friday at Cumberland Gap, Tenn., as part of a boys and girls doubleheader.
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In unreported action, the Lady Lions went on the road and claimed a 53-32 victory over 12th Region contender Lincoln County in Stanford.
Johnson led the Lady Lions with 23 points, Arnett added 14, and Howard scored 10 in the winning effort.
Elly Sims and Macey Rice were the leading scorers for the Lady Patriots (10-10) with 13 and 10 points each.
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Pineville (60) — Sawyer Thompson 28, Ashton Moser 31, Kaiden Robbins 1.
Middlesboro (59) — Trey King 32, Jeremiah Beck 4, Cayden Grigsby 8, Brayden Barnard 2, Joseph Killion 3, Bryce Bowling 8, Peyton Turner 2.
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Pineville (66) — Nadine Johnson 27, Ava Arnett 13, Rachel Howard 9, Malley Smith 5, Kamryn Biliter 6, Madison Johnson 6.
Middlesboro (33) — Keevie Betts 18, Morgan Martin 4, Millie Roberts 5, Emily Lambert 6.
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Pineville (53) — Nadine Johnson 23, Ava Arnett 14, Rachel Howard 10, Madison Johnson 2.
Lincoln County (32) — Macey Rice 10, Elly Sims 13, Gatlynn Lewis 2, Maecey Carrier 6, Rylee Townes 3, Addison Abbott 2.