By Brayleigh Boggs
Carter County Times
In a game that felt more like a district championship than a regular-season matchup, the East Carter Raiders and the Elliott County Lions kept the crowd on the edge of their seats from tip-off to the final buzzer. Every possession mattered, every drive was contested, and each team kept fighting for their spot at the top. It was a night led by the Burton brothers, as William (5) and Thomas (1) each earned Player of the Game honors. East Carter left with a 52-47 victory that will weigh heavily when postseason seedings are decided.
Elliott County struck first, opening with a three-pointer to set the tone early. East Carter quickly responded. Grant Menix (10) wasted no time, and with William Burton’s (5) help, the Raiders took their first lead of the night, 6-4. The first quarter featured a back-and-forth exchange of baskets. Highlights included Menix’s (10) strong defensive plays and consistent scoring from both teams. After Ethan Copley (24) knocked down a late three for Elliott County, the Raiders held a slim 10-9 lead heading into the end of the first.
The second quarter unfolded as a tactical battle, with both teams searching for ways to extend their leads. Elliott County’s Caden Sloas (11) and Tyssen Crabtree (0) controlled the post, while East Carter countered with sharp ball movement and accurate shooting. William Burton (5) hit a three to give the Raiders some breathing room, then Caden Tussey (15) found Thomas Burton (1) for another long-range shot that electrified the home crowd. Crabtree (0) responded at the free-throw line, and Copley (24) hit another three, keeping Elliott within striking distance. At halftime, the score was a nail-biter, with East Carter holding a narrow 25-23 lead.
East Carter briefly gained momentum early in the third quarter. William Burton (5) and Menix (10) each hit a three, and Tussey (15) made a tough and-one bucket to stretch their lead to eight. But Elliott refused to back down. Ian Griffith (23) stepped up offensively, scoring through contact and dominating on the boards. Crabtree (0) added a crucial three-point play, making the score 36-35 for the Lions late in the period. The lead changed hands multiple times before William Burton’s (5) late basket put East Carter barely ahead, 40-39, heading into the final quarter.
The fourth quarter was pure district basketball pandemonium.
East Carter started strong with a putback from William Burton (10) and a stealthy steal by Colton McGuire (12) that led to a three from Thomas Burton (1). The Lions responded with shots from Ethan Copley (24). The score was 48-47 after Menix (10) knocked down another three.
Both teams traded turnovers and defensive stops. Pressure intensified with every dribble, pass, and shot. With less than a minute remaining, Elliott missed a game-changing three, and Caden Tussey (15) secured the rebound before getting fouled. After a series of baseline inbounds and full-court pressure, Menix (10) calmly stepped to the line and made two free throws, pushing the lead to three.
Elliott had one last chance, but another three-point attempt rimmed out. Tussey (15) grabbed the rebound and ran downcourt to seal the win, finalizing the score at 52-47.
William Burton (5) led East Carter with 18 points and was named Heather Goodman Memorial Scholarship Player of the Game. Grant Menix (10) was close behind with 15 points, including clutch free throws down the stretch. Thomas Burton (1) contributed eight points and made a significant defensive impact by shutting down Elliott County’s leading scorer, Lake Adkins (21), holding him scoreless and without a shot for the entire contest. Caden Tussey (15) added six points, followed by Colton McGuire (12) with five.
Elliott County’s top scorers were Ian Griffith (23) with 17 points, Ethan Copley (24) with 12, and Tyssen Crabtree (0) with nine. Additional scoring came from Cannan Arrowood (3), Elijah Faulkner (5), and Caden Solas (11), each with three points.
In a game filled with grit, discipline, and last-second composure, East Carter proved they can handle intense pressure. In the 62nd District, moments like this mean everything.
(Contact the writer at news@cartercountytimes.com)
