The East Ridge basketball team jumped out to a 33-22 lead at the half and led by as much as 14 in the second half but the Hixson basketball team never quit. East Ridge held off the Wildcats in the final minute to win 65-61.
With the win, East Ridge advances to the 6-AA semifinals against Brainerd on Monday at 6:30 p.m. Hixson ends their season.
Hixson's William Nelson got a steal and lay up with 50 seconds left to pull with in one at 59-58.
De'Arius Moore, Elijay Garmany and Keion Jones combined for 4 of 6 free
throws in the final 20 seconds of the game to maintain the lead after
several turnovers by the Pioneers.
Hixson's Chandler Abbott put the final points on the board with 7.2 seconds left but the Pioneers held on to win 64-61.
In the other semifinal, Central beat Red Bank 68-63. Central will play Tyner at 8 p.m. on Monday.
SCORING SUMMARY:
East Ridge 11 22 15 13 - 65
Hixson 15 7 18 21 - 61
East Ridge (65) King 16, Jones 10, Tillery 7, Talley 7, K. Jones 7, Garmany 7, Blair 7, Moore 4
Hixson (61) Chandler Abbott 20, Diaz 12, Cooper 7, Bradley 6, Weaver 6, Nelson 6, K. Bradley 2 Alemeda 2