Nolan Adams scores 1,000th point in final game

GORDONSVILLE-The Clay County Bulldogs wrapped up their season as one of 32 teams left standing in the Region 4-A Semifinals here last week.

The Dawgs finished with a 12-18 record, after being beaten 78-58 by Pickett County, who went on to lose the region championship to Jackson County two nights later.

The defeat ended the careers of seniors Nolan Adams, Cole Eads, Aayden Cherry, and Warner Melton, who finished their four-year campaigns with a 68-47 overall record and a district title.

They also appeared in two District 7-A Championship games, one Region 4-A Championship game, and a Class A Sectional.

Adams (1st team), Eads (2nd team), Cherry (3rd team), and Melton (honorable mention) were all three recognized among the conference’s best this year.

Adams also became a member of the 1,000-point club in his final game and was named to the Region 4-A All-Tournament team.

Prior to their elimination at the hands of the Bobcats, Clay County ended Gordonsville’s season in the region quarterfinals.

Pickett County (29-5) was set to travel to South Pittsburg (21-5) Monday night for the sectional round, while Jackson County (28-5) was hosting Van Buren County (14-17).

The winners of those games advance to the State Tournament to be held at MTSU’s Murphy Center March 18-21.

Visit tssaasports.com for the full State Tournament bracket after Monday night’s games.

4-A SEMIFINAL

Bulldogs………..……58

Pickett Co……………78

Nolan Adams scored his 1,000th point and led all scorers with 26 points in what turned out to be his final game, after Pickett County defeated Clay County 78-58 in the Region 4-A Semifinals.

Adams was joined in double figures by Warner Melton and Cole Eads, who scored 14 and 12 points respectively.

Eads knocked down four three-pointers in the contest, two of which helped the Dawgs keep pace early.

The first tied the game at eight, before the second pulled Clay County within 18-13 of the Bobcats at the end of the first quarter.

Adams then posted nine of his game-high tally in the second quarter to cut into the Pickett County lead, before Aayden Cherry made a three-pointer to make it a one-point game at 25-24 midway through the period.

The Bobcats went on to close out the frame on a 16-4 run to lead 41-28 at the break.

Despite Melton dropping half of his scoring total and Adams reaching his milestone with a steal and layup in the third quarter, Pickett County maintained their margin through the first eight minutes of the second half.

They led 58-44 heading into the final frame and went on to win by 20 points.

DAWGS (58)-Nolan Adams 26, Warner Melton 14, Cole Eads 12, Aayden Cherry 4, Caden Copeland 2.