PHOTO GALLERY: Big third quarter boosts Grizzlies past Chiefs

RUTLEDGE — The Grainger Grizzlies broke a close game open in the third quarter to edge the visiting Cherokee Chiefs 72-51 on Tuesday night in the final Twin Lakes Conference game of the regular season for both teams.

The Grizzlies got out to an 8-0 lead. The Chiefs didn’t score until about three minutes into the game when Isaiah Jones made a basket-and-one. The Grizzlies led 21-14 after the first quarter.

The Chiefs held their own in the second quarter, with Landon Jeffers scoring eight points. The game was close, with the home team in front 36-29 at halftime.

The contest grew more physical in the second half. The Grizzlies poured it on in the third quarter, outscoring the Chiefs 25-14 in the quarter. Colten McLain had nine points in the period for the Chiefs. The Grizzlies added to the lead in the fourth and came away with a 72-51 win.

Ashton Creswell had 16 points to lead the Grizzlies. Konner Kincaid followed with 13.

Jeffers and McLain each had 13 points for the Chiefs. A total of 10 Chiefs scored in the game: Braxton Markham (7), Isaiah Jones (5), Lofton Hayes (3), Parker Travis (3), Elisha Jones (2), Gavin Lawson (2), Manning Brooks (2) and Jaxon Markham (1).

The Chiefs (11-15, 1-7) will host Cumberland Gap on Monday, Feb. 12, in the final game of the regular season. JV boys start at 5 p.m. with varsity girls and varsity boys to follow. The District 2-3A boys basketball tournament is scheduled to begin at Claiborne later in the week. As the No. 5 seed, the Chiefs will be forced into a play-in game. The schedule will be set at the district meeting.