Storm 12-under

wins tourney
From staff reports

ELIZABETHTON, Tenn. — The Watauga Storm 12-under boys basketball team won the Smoky Mountain Sports “Easter Slamfest” March 21-22.

The Storm beat the Wallace Warriors 38-14 in the finals. The Storm was led by Jeff Caldwell, who had 14 points. Eli Gailes, Carson Isaacs and Noah Padgett each added four points. Watauga also had 16 steals against the Warriors.

The Storm opened the tournament with a 43-28 win over the Bluff City (Tenn.) Grizzlies. Caldwell scored 15 points, while Isaacs added 12. In its next game, the Storm beat the Ashe County Lightning for the first time 34-30. Caldwell scored 13 points, Isaacs had 10 and both Cam Linville and Grayson Younce each scored four points for Watauga.

In its third game, Watauga beat the E-town Express 35-25. Defense played a key role in the win as the Storm had 18 steals. Eli Gailes had five of them, while Gainey, Trevor Eggers and Alex Bolster each stole the ball away from the Express three times. Linville had seven rebounds.

Watauga plays in the Boone Roundball Classic March 28-30.