Carson Bolton (22) and the Jellico Blue Devils fell to Frank Hughes 77-62 in a Class 1A state quarterfinal on Wednesday, March 13, 2024, at MTSU’s Murphy Center in Murfreesboro, Tenn. (Photo by Danny Parker).
BY JESSE SMITHEY
MURFREESBORO — Carson Bolton, the standout senior guard at Jellico High School, squatted over in a corner of the court late Wednesday night at MTSU’s Murphy Center, just trying to compartmentalize all that had just happened. He stared at the hardwood and gave it a sound pound.
A game that had seemed so in-hand for him and the Blue Devils in the first half had gone awry.
A season that had apexed with the program making its first-ever state tournament appearance had come to a rapid descent.
And his prep career, that had just concluded, as well.
It was a lot to take in.
The final horn finally sounded on Frank Hughes’ 77-62 comeback win over Jellico, and Bolton succumbed to the storm of emotions swirling within. He scored 22 points in his final game, as his huge first-quarter offensive eruption led to an early 12-point lead for the Blue Devils (20-13).
But over the final three quarters, Jellico shot 25 percent from the field and made 1 of 24 from the 3-point line.
“When I heard them say ‘One minute remaining in the game,’ I looked at the clock and it just tore me to pieces,” said Bolton. “I knew it was my last high school game with these boys.
“That’s my last game with a good group of boys that made a lot of (school) history. It’s a special team. I was watching it go to its final seconds.”
Frank Hughes (25-9), which was making its first appearance since 1984, took advantage of Jellico’s cold streak by attacking the lane and dishing to its bigs.
Junior guard Weston Lineberry had 10 assists.
Aiden Dicus, a 6-foot-5 junior, had 18 points on 8-for-13 shooting. Alex Ronchetti, a 6-foot forward, scored a career high on 13-for-19 shooting.
The Lions shot 59.2 percent from the floor and 57 percent or better in every quarter. They only shot seven 3s and scored 48 points in the paint.
Frank Hughes, a school of fewer than 100 students that’s located two hours southwest of Nashville, will play Gordonsville (24-10) at 2:15 p.m. Central time on Friday in the semifinals.
Bolton seemed determined from the onset that he was not going to let the Lions advance. He scored 15 points in the first quarter. He threw down a dunk in transition. He knocked home a trio of 3s.
Jellico led 27-18 after the first eight minutes.
The Blue Devils’ lead was 10 midway through the second quarter.
By the end of the third quarter, through, they trailed 55-46.
“Once the moment shifted, we never could get it going back in our direction,” Jellico coach Mike Reynolds said. “They were attacking, getting the ball inside. We didn’t adjust. That’s on me. We have to be ready to adjust right there, and we didn’t.
“Give them credit. Our kids continued to play hard. It was just, at that point, they were able to make shots and we didn’t. They made that minor adjustment (against our defense) and it made a big difference.”
Isaac McNealy, who had 18 points and eight rebounds, hit Jellico’s lone 3 in the second half. And it was timely, trimming the deficit to 60-53 with 5:36 remaining in the contest.
A 12-0 run by Frank Hughes over the next 3:21 put Jellico’s comeback hopes to rest.
John Zecchini, a 6-3 senior forward at Jellico, had 12 points and 14 rebounds. He, Bolton, McNealy and Carter Terry were the team’s four seniors that led the program into unchartered waters.
“They have done something that no other team in our school history has done,” Reynolds said. “That’s certainly puts them as one of the best teams ever at Jellico High School. It’s certainly been a group that’s enjoyable to work with. Great young men, first of all. Great representatives of our school.
“And, it means the world to our school and our community. It lets people know you can do that at Jellico. So, hopefully, these young men have laid some building blocks for future teams to do the same thing.”
BOX: Frank Hughes 77, Jellico 62
Frank Hughes (77): Weston Lineberry 12, Devin Dicus 12, Konnor Lineberry 3, Aiden Dicus 18, Alex Ronchetti 29, Levi Tuck 3
Jellico (62): Isaac McNealy 18, Trey Vann 6, John Zecchini 12, Carson Bolton 22, Carter Terry
F. Hughes 18 13 24 22 — 77
Jellico 27 10 9 16 — 62
FG percentage: Frank Hughes 29-49 (59.2 percent), Jellico 27-76 (35.5)
3-pointers: Frank Hughes (2-7) — K. Lineberry, Tuck; Jellico (4-29) — Bolton 3, McNealy.
Free Throws: Frank Hughes 17-24, Jellico 4-5
Rebounds: Frank Hughes 38, Jellico 36
Turnovers: Frank Hughes 22, Jellico 17
5STAR PHOTOS powered by SmartBank: JELLICO vs. FRANK HUGHES, 2024 Class 1A Quarterfinals