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Big Boo-seum Bash
Local museums opened late to host trick-or-treaters. The annual event was a success with great weather. At the Heifer Village visitors could decorate pumpkins and at the Clinton Center the staff dressed as storybook characters while passing out candy to trick-or-treaters of all ages.
CHICKAMAUGA, Ga. – Jared Groce knew what was awaiting his state-ranked basketball team.
Having prepped and played at Gordon Lee High School, the Chattooga coach got what he expected Tuesday night.
He also got what he expected and then some from his Indians, who withstood a game effort from the Trojans and pulled away late for a 80-57 win. Now 20-1 and 8-1 in Region 7-AA, Chattooga is closing in on the regular-season championship and a bye into the tournament semifinals.
“I knew it was going to be a hostile environment, so we tried to get the word out to our fans to come and support our boys,” Groce said. “I can’t thank the fans enough for coming up here on a rainy night to support us. Gordon Lee has beaten some good teams here, including the team that had beaten us, Model, by 20. Their kids play very well here, and they have a killer student section.”
It didn’t hurt to have the one-two guard punch of Isaiah Foster and Jay Shropshire. The two combined for 45 points and eight 3-pointers and were the key reasons the Gordon Lee strategy of keeping the Indians out of the lane didn’t pan out.
The Trojans, led by their own guard duo of Hank Norton and Tucker Bradley, were within six at halftime and trailed only 41-37 after two Bradley free throws with 2:37 left in the third period. However, Shropshire hit two 3-pointers and Foster another as the lead grew to 50-39 starting the fourth.
“I knew we would get some open chances from 3-point range, and they did a heck of a job hitting them,” Groce said. “I never expected 14 of them, and they weren’t afraid of taking the big shot.”
Still, the Trojans hung tough, again cutting the lead to six after Norton started the period with a 3-pointer and a driving layup. Isaac Foster’s 3-pointer, though, began a 9-4 run that pushed the lead back to double digits and ended any upset hopes.
“It was a big deal because they were talking a lot, so we had to come here and take care of things,” said Shropshire, who added seven rebounds and three steals to his 22 points. “We played well tonight. We pushed the ball, got the ball to our shooters and hit the shots. This was just how we practiced.”
Isaiah Foster led the Indians with 23 points and added six steals. Norton led Gordon Lee (10-10, 4-5) with 23 points, Bradley adding 19.
Contact Lindsey Young at lyoung@timesfreepress.com or at 423-757-6296; follow on Twitter at youngsports22.