Fourth-quarter run finishes off Devilettes

Lebanon's Devilettes lost to District 7-AAA rival Oakland 54-46 Friday at Campbell Brandon Gymnasium/Hester Gibbs Court.
The fourth quarter proved the difference maker as the Lady Patriots went on a 12-0 run that consumed most of the final period to pull ahead 54-42.
"I thought we played very well," Devilette coach Darian Brown said as his team dropped to 9-14 overall and 5-5 in district play. "We were there the whole night, we just couldn't get over the hump."
Until the final quarter, Lebanon was able to keep within striking distance of the Lady Patriots. The first period ended with Oakland holding a 12-9 advantage.
Crystal Howse tied the game for Lebanon at 17 with two free throws at 4:53 of the second period before Oakland regained the lead. Oakland entered the locker room at the half ahead 26-25.
"We played well defensively and got a lot of pressure on them," Brown said. "I'm proud of the girls' effort."
The Lady Patriots' Tara Davis led all scorers with 34 points.
For the Devilettes, Ebony Marshall tossed in 14 points, Howse added 13, Jasmin Brooks nine, Icelyn Elie four and London Elie and Kelsey Blackburn three apiece.
Lebanon visits Cookeville at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday.

Lady Bears overtake LaVergne for Fryer's 250th win
LAVERGNE — Mt. Juliet's top-ranked girls presented Coach Chris Fryer his 250th career victory Friday night.
LaVergne came dangerously close to handing the ninth-year coach his 46th setback, however. The Lady Wolverines led until the third quarter before succumbing 57-50.
The athletic Lady Wolverines took a 13-6 first-quarter lead over the cold-shooting Lady Bears, who drew within 29-25 by halftime and into a 41-41 deadlock through three periods.
Jordan Nixon, who fell into early foul trouble, and K.C. VanAtta were cold early. But Nixon nailed all four of her shots and four free throws for 12 of her 13 points in the third quarter. VanAtta also threw in 13 while Rebecca Sharpe scored a game-high 16 to help send the Lady Bears to their 22nd triumph against a single loss and 9-0 in District 9-AAA.
"We didn't shoot the basketball well the first quarter," Fryer said. "Not many second-shot opportunities. They have good athletes, good size. Hope we won't have to open (the district tournament) with them.
"The fourth quarter, we were pretty consistent. We knocked our free throws down and were able to win."
Center Heather Miller added 11 for Mt. Juliet while Miaca Bowman finished with four.
Center Lacresha Terrell stepped outside to sink two three-pointers for half of her 12 points for LaVergne.
"I feared her going into the game," Fryer said of Terrell. "She's good sized and we have a matchup problem with her."
The Lady Bears will try to continue their march toward the top seed in the district tournament, which comes with a first-round bye, Tuesday when Beech visits Tommy Martin Gym at 6:30 p.m. The Lady Buccaneers were the last team to beat Mt. Juliet in what is now called The Cave back in 2002, 60 games ago.
Staff Writer Kimberly Jordan can be reached at 444-3952 ext. 44 or by e-mail at kimberly.jordan@lebanondemocrat.com.