Senior point guard Kyle Cloninger (3) and the Morristown East Hurricanes faced the Sevier County Smoky Bears in a TSSAA Region 1-4A tournament semifinal on Jim Elliott Floor at Isenberg-Siler Memorial Gymnasium on Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2024, in Morristown, Tennessee. The Morristown East boys eliminated Sevier County, 62-52. (Photo by Danny Parker)
BY MIKE BLACKERBY
MORRISTOWN – Get ready for Round 4 between rivals Morristown West and Morristown East.
It should be a doozy.
The Hamblen County schools both won Region 1-4A tournament semifinal elimination games Tuesday night at East to set up an epic title game Thursday in Morristown.
West pinned a 52-42 loss on Jefferson County while East won 62-52 over Sevier County.
Hurricanes standout Kyle Cloninger was already looking forward to another meeting with the Trojans, just moments after the win over Sevier County.
“We’re just looking for a great environment,” said Cloninger, who has already helped East to three wins over West this season.
“It has probably been a hot moment since East and West have played in a region championship game,” said Hurricanes coach Brice Cusick.
“It’s going to be a fun game and a tough game.”
It’s believed to be the first meeting in a basketball regional championship game between the schools since 1971.
Regardless of the outcome Thursday, both West and East move on to sectional play on Monday.
Sectional winners qualify for the state tournament in Murfreesboro.
Here’s a look at Tuesday’s semifinal games, played at East:
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