Joe GallowayJASPER, Tenn. – Once again it wasn’t enough for the Lookout Valley boys’ basketball team just to win the District 6-A tournament championship. For the second straight season the Yellow Jackets had to do so in dramatic fashion, scoring the game’s final six points in the final minute for a 46-42 victory over Van Buren County.
Last year the Yellow Jackets beat Van Buren on a buzzer beater, and Tuesday night at Marion County High they held the Eagles scoreless for the final 1:26.
“It looked like they had all the momentum there late, but our kids are used to being in close games like this and they know how to find a way to win them,” Jackets coach Joe Galloway said. “Our style of play is conducive for winning these type games, and we have a lot of experienced players that aren’t afraid when the score is close late in the game.”
Sale Creek won the third-place contest, beating South Pittsburg 58-47. All four teams advance to the Region 3 tournament this weekend.
Lookout Valley and Van Buren split their regular-season series, each winning at home by four points or less. The Yellow Jackets have now won 14 straight since losing at the Spencer school.