Watch Campbell vs. Powell at Central Wed., 7:30pm televised live over the Lindsay’s video player

TOP PHOTO: Luke launches a free throw line jumper in Friday’s regular season finale`. Luke Browning finished the night with 14 points. (PHOTOS COURTESY OF EMMY STANFILL (INSTAGRAM @shotssbyyem)

KNOXVILLE, TN (WLAF) – “We’re going in motivated. It’s a new season, and we have a clean slate. I like our chances,” said Campbell Head Basketball Coach Ernie Clawson. The Cougars, seeded 6th, play third seeded Powell. Due to snowy weather postponements, the two teams played each other on two nights within a three day span, Jan. 30 and Feb 1. Powell won both clashes.

“They (Powell) have won more than 20 games, go very deep and have the district MVP in Caleb Walker. However, I like our chances if we hit our shots early, build our confidence and give ourselves a chance at the end,” said Coach Clawson.

In the January meeting at Powell, Clawson’s team played really well, hit its open shots and successfully ran its offense. Powell held on for a 58-51 win.

Two teams the 7 & 19 Cougars defeated, Central and Carter, have wins over Powell, 21 & 6. Powell has lost four of its last five games, and Campbell has dropped its previous eight contests.

Campbell is playing with a small deck of cards as only eight Cougars will suit up tonight. Clawson will start Gavin Cox and Tyler Kitts up front with Luke Browning at a forward spot. Jordan Day plays the two, the shooting guard, while freshman Will Croley will run the point. Dylan Ford, Brady Hatmaker and Cole Miller will come off the bench.

Injuries and departures, a total of six, have depleted Campbell’s numbers. Out with injury are Jake Hatmaker (hip), Keegan Nelson (elbow) and Logan Day (ankle). “That’s unfortunate for our kids,” said the coach. An additional three players left the squad.

“We’ve brought in two JV players to give us 10 so we can go five-on-five in practice,” said Clawson. Campbell practiced for 75 minutes on Tuesday right after school.

“They (Cougars) play very hard. Though some could play a little harder. And we have shown signs of consistency, but we need to be more consistent,” said Coach Clawson.

There are two games on this Tuesday evening with Halls, seeded 4th, and Central, the 5th seed, squaring off at 6pm. Campbell’s tip time is 7:30pm. Winners keep their seasons alive and advance to the semifinals as well as qualifying for the Region 2 Tournament while the losing teams seasons come to a close.

Josh Parker sends you the fun of Cougar Basketball beginning at 7:20pm Tuesday. Catch all of the radio only action over the WLAF Doyle’s Tire Sports Network which consists of AM 1450, FM 100.9 WLAF Radio, www.1450wlaf.com, WLAF-TV Channel 1089, YouTube, Amazon Fire TV, Roku TV, Facebook and Twitch.

Campbell broadcasts are made possible by these outstanding corporate partners:

Alco Builders & Realty

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Charley’s Pizza

C & L Metal Sales

Citizens Bank

Cumberland Equipment Rentals

Attorney Jeffrey Coller

Community Trust Bank

Cumberland Gap

Local realtor Gage Dople

Doyle’s Tire Shop

Exterior Home Solutions

Hammer’s

Hill Insurance

First National Bank

Grace Rehab

Gray Insurance Group

Greeneview Farms Market

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La Follette Nutrition

LaFollette Medical Center – Tennova Medical Group

LaFollette Mine Supply

Litho-Craft Printing & Office Supplies

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Mickey & Son Lawn Care

Peoples Bank of the South

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Premier Weight Management & Esthetics

Rice Oil is your home for BP and Amoco

Robbins Guttering, Roofing & Siding

Smith Metal and Dock Sales

TCAT

(WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 02/14/2024-6AM-PHOTOS COURTESY OF EMMY STANFILL (INSTAGRAM @shotssbyyem)

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