The Sullivan East High School boys basketball team will officially make its Three Rivers Conference debut tonight at home against Elizabethton. However, that’s not the only reason there’s a buzz around Bluff City these days.
The Patriots are off to a 9-0 start and playing as well as any team in Northeast Tennessee at the moment. East won the Hardee’s Classic in Jonesborough, Tenn., last month and
had impressive victories over Unaka and Morristown West this past weekend.
“We’ve gotten off, obviously, to a real good start,” said East coach John Dyer. “The guys are playing hard and doing a good job on the defensive end. They’re very unselfish and those are the ingredients right now that are making us successful.”
East returned all but one starter off last season’s 16-win team. Jeremy James and Zane Campbell have provided a nice post presence for the Pats, while Jordan Cross, Chase
Depew and Trey Gilreath have provided other scoring options.
“We’ve had guys that have played for us three to four years now on varsity and we have a lot of experience,” Dyer said. “These guys are ready.”
East will have to adapt to a new conference this winter after years of competing in the Big Nine Conference.
“No doubt, it’s different,” Dyer said. “It’s exciting to play in such a good league with good opponents. Unicoi County has been one of the top teams in the area for the last 5-6 years.
They’re always right there at the top.”
Elsewhere in Northeast Tennessee tonight, Tennessee High opens Big Eight Conference play at home against longtime rival Science Hill.
Email
Facebook
Google
Twitter
Favorites
More
Advertisement