BURNSVILLE – The Mitchell High School junior varsity boys’ basketball team closed its season on a high note Friday, Feb. 21, by earning the Western Highlands Conference crown after downing conference tournament host Mountain Heritage 48-45 in overtime in the championship game.
The two teams entered overtime tied at 38, but the Mountaineers outscored the Cougars 10-7 in the extra period to earn the win.
Mitchell was powered by 20 points from Ty Turbyfill, and Timothy Hollifield chipped in 16 points.
The Mountaineers and Cougars played two other overtime games during the regular season with the teams splitting the meetings.
Mountaineers head coach Travise Pitman said the players would grow from the experience of downing the Cougars in the championship game.
“Those are two excellent teams,” Pitman said. “We found a way to win, and that was really good for our kids.”
The Mountaineers started the season 0-4, but Pitman said the team’s confidence never wavered, which helped them finish the season strong.
“As we grew together as a team, we became better,” he said. “Every night, they came out to play, and they always came out with a good work ethic."