After having a week off, the boys and girls Cyclone basketball teams traveled to Viking Hall to take on the Vikings of Tennessee High on Tuesday night.

The first varsity contest of the evening consisted of the Lady Cyclones, and in the early stages it was a defensive showcase. However, Tennessee High was able to pull away late in the period, taking a 21-10 lead into the quarter break. 

The second quarter was a different story however, as the Lady Cyclones offense came to life, outscoring the Lady Vikings 18-9 and only trailing by two at the half, 30-28. 

In the third, The Lady Cyclones would continue their impressive scoring efforts, taking a 42-40 advantage into the final eight minutes. However, the Lady Vikings were able to storm back, scoring 25 points in the period as Elizabethton would fall by a final of 65-54. 

In the effort, Reagan May led the Lady Cyclones with 15 points, Jamira Smalls added 12, and Kayelyn Nave contributed 10 to the total.

For the nightcap, it was the varsity boys teams squaring off, and it was tightly contested through the first 8 minutes, the Vikings holding a one point advantage of 13-12 going into the second.

Elizabethton showcased their defense in the second period, holding Tennessee High to only 7 points in the quarter while scoring 14 themselves. At the half, the Cyclones had taken a 26-20 lead. 

The third quarter saw the Cyclones slightly increase their lead before heading to the fourth, 44-36. And in the final period, the Cyclones scoring came exclusively from beyond the arc, adding 5 triples in the final 8 minutes. However, Tennessee high would storm back, scoring 23 and taking a 3 point lead in the final seconds. 

Of the 5 three point makes for the Cyclones, none would prove more important than Justin Whitehead's attempt that fell through the net as time expired, sending the game to overtime.

Unfortunately, the Vikings had momentum going into the free period, and Elizabethton ended up falling in a 68-63 thriller.

Andrew Barnett led the Cyclones in scoring with 22 points, including five shots made from distance. Hudson Pate finished the game with 14 points, while Whitehead added 12, all coming from distance.

Both teams will be back in action on Thursday, back inside John Treadway Gymnasium, welcoming the Unicoi County Blue Devils. Game times are as follows: Girls JV - 4 PM, Boys JV - 5 PM, Girls Varsity - 6:30 PM, Boys Varsity - 8 PM.

Thursday's contests will include a 50th Anniversary celebration of Lady Cyclone Basketball, where former players will be recognized at half time.

In addition, Chick-Fil-A of Elizabethton will be in attendance doing giveaways and offering a chance for free Chick-Fil-A for a year.

Thursday night will be action packed, as the Elizabethton High School Cheer team will also be hosting their Spuds & Spirit Night, offering a Baked Potato, Chili, and a drink for $7.

Make sure to come out and support your Cyclones for their first home conference matchup!