Tellico Plains Bears Defeat Wartburg Central Bulldogs
By Terry Futrell – November 16, 2018
The Wartburg Central High School Bulldogs found out there are disadvantages to making the football playoffs as the Bulldog basketball team fell to the Tellico Plains Bears 69-62 Friday evening. With at least five members of the team who also played football, including starters Caleb McCarty and Colby Justes, the Bulldogs had less than two weeks practice as a team before facing Tellico Plains. Add to the mix the absence of Caleb Constant due to an injury suffered in the game with Sale Creek Tuesday night and you get a team with lots of heart, but one needing time to develop the cohesive teamwork that leads to excellent performance.
Enough for excuses – these Bulldogs did not need any! In spite of the obstacles faced, the Bulldogs had a respectable performance against the Bears. Led by Elijah Langley with 22 points, Jake Branstetter with 15, and Colby Justes with 13, the Bulldogs put up a fight to the bitter end, scoring seven points in the last 31 seconds of the game.
The Bulldogs came out fighting, matching the Bears point for point and taking a 9-8 lead with 3:05 left in the 1st quarter. The Bears went on a scoring run late in the first and took a 15-9 lead at the end of one. Holding Tellico Plains scoreless for the first three minutes of the 2nd quarter, the Bulldogs fought back and scored eight straight, taking the lead at 17-15 with 4:53 remaining. The Bears tied the game at 17-17 with 3:27 remaining and built a 26-17 lead with 1:07 left in the half. The Bulldogs again went on the attack and scored seven points in just over one minute, closing the gap to 27-24 with 5.3 seconds remaining. The Bears managed to close out the 1st half with two additional points, taking a 29-24 lead to the locker room.
The Bulldogs closed the gap to 29-26 early in the second half and stayed within three until the Bears went up 36-30 at 4:51 to go in the 3rd quarter. The Bears went ahead by nine points at 41-32 with 3:50 to go in the 3rd and held the lead at nine throughout the remainder of the 3rd quarter, closing out at 53-44.
Once again, the determined Bulldogs came out fighting and closed the gap to 53-48 with 6:11 to go in the final period. The Bears then built a 12-point lead at 60-48 with 2:36 remaining and led by 14 at 69-55 with 31.7 seconds remaining. The Bulldogs dug deep one more time and fought back, scoring seven straight, bringing the final score to 69-62 in favor of the visiting Bears.
There are several bright points that should give Bulldog fans a warm feeling. Most importantly, the Bulldogs never gave up throughout the game. They aggressively attacked the basket, with Jake Branstetter, Colby Justice, and Elijah Langley constantly pressuring the Tellico Plains defense in the paint. And, the Bulldogs played aggressive defense, often full-court without any sign of fatigue or slowing down. As Coach Joe Layne continues to develop these players and they jell as a team, successfully making the transition from football to basketball, opponents should take fair warning.
The Bulldogs next face Scott County at home on Tuesday, November 20.