Defensive play ignites winning FCS run

On a night of good defense from both teams, Friendship Christian made the key play to ignite a game-winning, and ending, run in a 43-36 District 8-A victory Tuesday night over Trousdale County at the Sportsplex.
Lindsey Farmer's steal led to Carly Warmath's fastbreak layup with 2:10 to play to lift the Lady Commanders into the lead. Jessi Couch connected on three free throws and Warmath finished her 14-point night with three more from the line as Friendship scored the last eight points to improve to 5-5 for the season and 2-0 in the district.
"It's nice to win one in the district, no matter what the circumstances," Lady Commander coach Deanna Teeter said. "The girls came out and played hard and we had some goals before the game to keep them off the boards and play defense.
"Lindsey Farmer came out and did a good job defensively for us. She played against (Chelsea) Brown."
Couch notched nine points, 11 rebounds and six steals as Trousdale County (2-10, 0-3) committed 27 turnovers to Friendship's 15. The Lady Jackets outrebounded the Lady Commanders 33-28.
"Jessi played extremely hard," Teeter said. "She was that spark that I've been asking somebody to step up and be a leader. Jessi hustles from the tipoff until the very last horn. She's a competitor."
Trousdale took a 36-35 lead on a 19-footer by Chelsea Dickerson, who led the Lady Jackets with 10 points.
Otherwise, Friendship led the entire the fourth quarter, including 32-30 at the start. The Lady Commanders scored six straight to turn a 28-26 deficit into a 32-28 lead on a steal and layup by Warmath.
The teams traded the lead throughout the third quarter which began with Trousdale in front 21-20 on Alyx Longnecker's free throw with 1.5 seconds left in the first half.
Friendship twice led by four points in the first quarter before the Lady Jackets went ahead for the first time in the closing seconds 11-9 on Beth Rolin's three-pointer.
Trousdale led by four early in the second quarter before Friendship fought back to tie the score several times and briefly go in front 20-18 on Warmath's basket following a steal.
Katy Vaughan knocked down nine points for Friendship while Jody Leftwich scored six and Farmer and Gabbie Lowe two each.
Friendship will remain in the district Thursday when the Lady Commanders bus to Gordonsville for a 6:30 p.m. tipoff.

Thompson's foul trouble opens door for Lady Buffalo posts to trample Tigerettes
CLARKRANGE — With Miaushia Thompson patrolling the post, Watertown led state power Clarkrange most of the first half. But her third-period foul trouble removed the inside obstacle and the Lady Buffaloes trampled the Tigerettes 54-28 Tuesday night.
Watertown led 11-7 following the first quarter before Clarkrange overtook the Tigerettes 21-19 by halftime.
But Thompson was whistled for her third and fourth fouls within the first two minutes of the third quarter and Tasha Phillips and Serena Snow combined for 18 points in the post during the period which ended with Clarkrange in control 39-23.
"We really had trouble guarding their posts and rebounding in the third quarter," Watertown coach Jeff Luttrell said after his Tigerettes fell to 9-5. "They just pounded us in the post with (Thompson) on the bench."
Snow knocked down 19 points, Phillips 18 and guard Kelli Reed 13 as Clarkrange climbed to 16-2.
Brittnee Sells was Watertown's most reliable offensive option with 16 points, including a trio of three-pointers. Thompson finished with five, Amanda Montgomery four and Sarah Reeder a three.
Watertown will travel to District 8-A rival Westmoreland at 6 p.m. Friday.

Humes, Lady Saints pull away from Merrol Hyde
MT. JULIET — Mt. Juliet Christian broke open a close game in the second half Tuesday as the Lady Saints pulled away to a 43-31 District 8-A win over visiting Merrol Hyde.
The Lady Saints led 13-11 following the first quarter and 22-20 at halftime before widening the difference to 29-21 going into the fourth as Mt. Juliet Christian climbed to 5-6 for the season and 2-2 in the district.
Christine Humes was the difference maker with 19 points, including 13-of-14 from the free-throw line. She tossed in all 10 of her foul shots in the fourth.
Anna Haley notched nine points, Paige Hudson seven and Ashley Hudson, Kelly Adkisson (who joined the team during the holiday break), Kristen Tewmey and Lauren Bean two each.
Merrol Hyde's big front line helped enable the Lady Hawks to win the rebounding battle 31-30. But the Lady Saints' pressure defense gave them the edge elsewhere on the floor.
Taylor Wohlfhart finished with 15 points from inside to lead the Lady Hawks.
Mt. Juliet Christian will travel to Huntingdon on Thursday for a 5 p.m. tipoff at Carroll Academy.
Sports Editor Andy Reed can be reached at 444-3952 ext. 17 or by e-mail at andy.reed@lebanondemocrat.com.