ROGERSVILLE – The North Greene boys basketball team got hot from behind the arc on Wednesday night and ran away from Cocke County for a 65-48 win in the first round of the Big H BBQ Christmas Bash at Cherokee High School.
“We shot the ball well tonight. Cocke County is a good team, but when we are making shots we can be a tough team to beat,” North Greene coach Matt Weems said. “I challenged these guys during film today. I was disappointed with last night against West Greene, but they were locked in tonight and they were in this one mentally. I was proud of them for that.”
The Huskies knocked down 14 three-pointers on Wednesday with Tyler Britton leading the way with six triples and 22 points. Isaac Gaby hit from deep four times and scored 13 points, and Jaiden Bailey nailed three three-pointers.
“We set better screens tonight and that got guys open,” Weems said. “Last night after we missed one we were hesitant to shoot the next one. Tonight the first couple went in and as shooter that makes the goal feel bigger and bigger.”
Bailey and Gaby set each other up for the first two triples of the night as the Huskies quickly took a 6-2 advantage. Gaby nailed another deep shot from the corner with 1:25 left in the period and the Huskies’ lead reached 13-4.
North Greene ended the first quarter leading 15-7.
The Huskies’ lead reached double-digits at 26-16 when Havoc Fair fed Gaby from the block for a three-pointer from deep in the left corner.
Cocke County answered with a 6-0 run that Parker Ford capped with a turn around jumper from the block. With 1:22 left before halftime North Greene’s lead was down to 26-22.
In the final 38 seconds Britton hit from deep twice. On the second the Huskies were able to run the clock down to two seconds before finding the senior the right look from the right wing that North Greene a 32-22 lead.
“That was really big. We wanted to hold for the last shot and get some momentum at the half,” Weems said. “Last night we had the same opportunity and didn’t hold it, and it allowed West Greene to make one at the buzzer. We learned from that and as a coach that makes you feel better.”
Britton needed just 20 seconds to hit from deep for the first time in the second half, but Cocke County answered by reeling off seven straight points. After three-pointers from Britton and Gaby North Greene was back in front 41-29.
Fair followed by scoring four points in the paint before the third quarter closed with two more triples from Britton for a 51-33 North Greene lead.
The three-pointers kept flying in the fourth quarter and Gaby first hit beyond the right elbow and then from the left corner for a 58-35 lead.
In the closing stretch Cocke County got seven points from Dillon Roberts but it could not put a dent in their deficit as North Greene finished with a 65-48 win.
North Greene will be back at Cherokee on Friday at 8:30 p.m. against the winner of South Greene and Cosby.
North Greene began their run in the Big H BBQ Christening Bash with a 65-48 win against Cocke County on Wednesday. Afterwards we caught up with Huskies Head Coach Matt Weems to hear his thoughts after the win. pic.twitter.com/s1m13vp8oq
— GreeneSportsZone (@GSportsZone) December 18, 2025
