Trailblazers win district tourney, beat Cocke County in quarterfinals

Thanks to Kevin Connell’s double-barreled double digit shooting on Tuesday, Feb. 23, against the Dobyns Bennett Indians, the Trailblazers took care of their Kingsport rival in a thrilling comeback with Boone on top, 61-57.
The Blazers won its first district tournament title since winning a Class AA tournament in 1997.
Connell was also responsible for 14 rebounds in the game, making him the tournament’s MVP.
Boone point guard Travis Keever brought 10 points and was joined by other leading scorers for the night, Ryan Gaitor, Hayden Chandley, and Jordan Gray, who each scored seven points each.
Then, on Saturday, the Trailblazers focused their energies on Cocke County’s Fighting Cocks.
The visiting team apparently didn’t bring enough fight with them to overcome a very physical Boone team, who won 87-73, securing a win in the 1-AAA quarterfinals, that will take them to the semifinals in Morristown.
It was Chandley’s night to shine, as he pumped in 22 points for Boone.
Keever kept busy, scoring 15 points and getting 12 assists. Jordan Gray had a successful night with 12 and Reppart brought in 10 points.
Chandley, Reppart and Connell had seven rebounds each and Gaiter, a freshman guard, scored eight points and had five assists.
Saturday’s win sets the stage for tonight’s match-up between Boone and the Science Hill Hilltoppers at Morristown East in a semifinal game, set for 6 p.m.