Sells’ 51-Point Explosion Leads First Team

Photo by Kailee Means / UC Sports Nation

The Livingston Academy Wildcats defeated the Cumberland County Jets in double-overtime on Saturday, and Senior Matthew Sells was a major reason why.

The Lincoln Memorial Signee scored a program-record 51 points in leading the Wildcats to a 100-93 win, and he also took over the program’s overall top scoring spot in the process. This was in addition to his 26-point outing against Watertown in the District 8AA third-place game.

He leads the First Bank First Team for the Week of Feb. 22 as well.

First Bank First Team

Kaylie Monday (Clarkrange): Monday finished just four steals short of a triple-double in the Lady Buffaloes’ District Championship win over Clay County, as she put up 26 points, 10 rebounds and six steals. She also added 15 points in a rout of Hardy Memorial, along with 21 points against Red Boiling Springs on Tuesday.

Collin Gore (Upperman): Gore scored a game-high 18 points in the district championship game against York, and was named the Tournament MVP. Gore also scored 17 points in a win over Sequatchie County.

Layla Bouldin (Van Buren): Bouldin led all scorers with 30 points against Red Boiling Springs in the first round of the region tournament on Friday. She also scored nine points in the district championship win over Whitwell.

Nick Choate (Livingston Academy): Choate aided Sells’ effort with 21 points of his own in Saturday’s win over Cumberland County. Choate was also a key contributor in the Wildcats’ win over Watertown with 14 points.

Reagan Hurst (Upperman): The Class AA Miss Basketball Finalist was unstoppable in the Lady Bees’ win over Marion County on Friday, as she scored 33 points to lead all scorers. Hurst also notched a milestone in Upperman’s win over Macon County in the District Championship, as she eclipsed the 2,000-point mark.

Grant Strong (Clay County): Strong continued his Mr. Basketball campaign last week by averaging a shade over 25 points per game in three wins over Jackson County, Pickett County and Hardy Memorial. The best of those three came in the District Championship against Pickett, where he scored 30 points.

Abby Houston (Cumberland County): Houston played a big role in the Lady Jets’ win over Livingston Academy with a game-high 18 points.