Tigers capture Smoky Mountain Christmas Classic title

Paintsville captured the Smoky Mountain Christmas Classic championship on Wednesday, Dec. 22. Photo courtesy of Smoky Mountain Christmas Classic

STAFF REPORT

BSN

GATLINBURG, Tenn. — Reigning 15th Region champion Paintsville defeated Notre Dame, a team from Chattanooga, Tenn., 60-54 to win the Smoky Mountain Christmas Classic title on Wednesday, Dec. 22.

Paintsville shot 47.4 percent (18-of-38) from the field. The Tigers hit four of 13 three-point field goal attempts.

Paintsville shot 90.9 percent (20-of-22) from the free throw line.

Braxton Tharp scored 22 points to lead Paintsville to the win. Tharp finished 10-of-10 from the free throw line.

Following Tharp in double figures for the Tigers, Colby Fugate scored 18 points. Fugate shot 50 percent (three-of-six) from three-point range.

Nearly recording a double-double for the Tigers, Connor Fugate netted 16 points and pulled down nine rebounds.

Chipping in offensively in Paintsville's victory, Jase Kinner and Baron Ratliff added two points apiece for the Tigers.

Paintsville 70, Hazard 64: Paintsville topped Hazard 70-64 in the second round of the Smoky Mountain Christmas Classic on Tuesday, Dec. 21.

The Tigers and Bulldogs, familiar foes, met for the first time in the 2021-22 boys' high school basketball season.

Paintsville shot 52.5 percent (21-of-40) from the field in the win. The Tigers shot 45.5 percent (10-of-22) from three-point range.

Paintsville shot 78.3 percent (18-of-23) from the free throw line.

Colby Fugate scored 23 points to lead Paintsville to the win. Finishing directly behind his brother in scoring for the Tigers, Connor Fugate added 22 points.

In another solid offensive performance for Paintsville, Braxton Tharp added 12 points.

Inside, Connor Fugate grabbed eight rebounds for the Tigers.

Paintsville is scheduled to host Hazard for a regular season finale on Thursday, Feb. 17.