Bulldogs finish second in Clintwood tourney

CLINTWOOD – Tazewell romped to the finals of the Green Wave Classic Dec. 29 beating Haysi 102-62.
Every member of the Bulldog team saw action and nine players scored as Tazewell won for the second straight game. The Bulldogs jumped to a 27-11 first quarter lead and never looked back.
It was 54-31 by halftime and the Tigers never got any closer. Tazewell hit 11 three point goals and placed five people in double figures in the 40 point win.
Brandon Pauley, who hit four treys led Tazewell in scoring and took game honors with 26. T.J. Taxley and Jarred Angles each had 15 and Taxley’s total included two treys.
Jordan Jones added a dozen to the Bulldog total and John Corner followed with 10. Jeremiah Jessee just missed double figures, finishing the game with eight.
Taviaz Wilburn and Quenton Harris each had six and T.J. Rasnick scored four. The Bulldogs stayed away from the foul trouble that had plagued them in earlier games.
Chris Fleming led Haysi in scoring with 23. The Tigers got eight from Mullins and eight from Childress. Castlewood stayed undefeated with a 56-52 win over Clintwood in the other semi-final.
The Bulldogs found the going a little tougher in the finals and lost to the Blue Devils 63-45. Castlewood held a nine point lead after the first quarter and was up 33-17 at the half.
The Bulldogs rallied and cut the deficit to eight at one point but couldn’t get any closer. After connecting on 11 treys in the win over Haysi, Tazewell managed just one in the game with Castlewood. 
Castlewood got a stellar performance from Ryan Meade, who scored 18 points while dealing out seven assists. Reuben Rasnick had 13 points and five rebounds and Seth Justice finished with 11 points and seven rebounds.
The Blue Devils had a big advantage at the foul line, getting 24 attempts and connecting on 18 while Tazewell was just six of 11.  Taxley led Tazewell in scoring and was the only Bulldog in double figures with 15.
Corner and Wilburn each managed eight for the Bulldogs while Pauley was held to seven.  Tazewell is scheduled to play at Carroll County in a district game Jan. 9.