Generals forced to settle for runner-up trophy in Dalton

The Heritage Generals’ basketball team got the 2017-18 season off to a solid start in Dalton last week as they earned the runner-up trophy at the Dalton Thanksgiving Tournament.

Heritage 72, Sequoyah 66

Most folks who know northwest Georgia basketball know how good Heritage center Cole Wilcox is.

Last Monday night, the Generals introduced the rest of the area to Adam Thacker.

Thacker, who is incidentally Wilcox’s cousin, scored nine of his game-high 22 points in the first quarter and the Navy-and-Red used a big fourth quarter to get past the Class 6A Chiefs.

Wilcox would also make his presence known, especially late, as he scored 12 of his 21 points in the final period. Heritage, who trailed by three entering the fourth, outscored Sequoyah 24-15 in the final eight minutes to claim the win.

Will Allen and Luke Grant chipped in with 12 points apiece, while Cade Collins added five. Heritage also got it done at the free throw line, sinking 18-of-23 attempts.

Heritage 55, Signal Mountain 51

The Generals got 10 of their 11 overtime points from Wilcox and Grant as they defeated the Eagles last Tuesday to advance to the championship game.

Heritage led 30-19 at halftime, but got outscored 17-6 in the third quarter as the Eagles tied the game. Both teams managed just eight points in the fourth to send the contest to overtime.

Wilcox had a gamehigh 25 points, including a 7-of-9 performance at the free throw line, while Grant had 12 on the night, five coming in OT, including a big 3-pointer.

Signal Mountain connected on just 10of-21 free throws, while Heritage was 8-of-14 at the line.

Campbell 59, Heritage 49

The Generals played virtually even with the Class 7A Spartans for

the final three quarters this past Wednesday, but couldn’t overcome

Campbell’s 22-point first quarter as they had to settle for the runner-up trophy.

Allen hit four 3-pointers to account for his 12 points for the

Generals (2-1). Wilcox and Grant finished with 11 points each.

Heritage was slated to host Southeast in the Region 6-AAAA opener on Tuesday.