Powerful Patriots take out LHS early

Poor shooting and turnovers led to a 77-48 homecoming loss for the Lebanon Blue Devils Friday against the Oakland Patriots.
The loss dropped the Blue Devils to 12-11 for the season and 4-6 in District 7-AAA while the No. 3 ranked Patriots improved to 19-1 overall and 10-0 in the district.
Oakland reeled off 12 straight points to take an early lead in the first which they never relinquished. Micheal Edwards scored the Blue Devils' first points at 4:09 of the first period.
Lebanon managed just 12 total points in the first half.
"We didn't come out with the fire we needed," Lebanon coach Doug Keil said. "We weren't taking shots in the first half, and we made some bad decisions."
The second half showed improvement on the side of the Blue Devils, but it wasn't enough to close the gap.
"I'm glad the guys didn't quit in the second half," Keil said. "They came out and gave it an effort, and that's what you want, win or lose."
By the end of the third quarter, the Patriots had widened the margin to 58-33.
"They're an outstanding basketball team," Keil noted.
Oakland's Jaffarious Wade had 19 points to lead all scorers. Teammate Chiasson Allen added 15 and Deandre Maupin tossed in 10.
Leading the way for the Blue Devils were O'Keefe McCarver, Ken Walton and Alex Johnson with 10 points each. Hershal McCathern put in seven, Xavier Smith added five and Edwards and Terrence Logue two apiece.
Lebanon travels to Cookeville on Tuesday.

LaVergne overtakes Mt. Juliet in fourth
LAVERGNE — LaVergne broke a tie at the start of the fourth quarter to beat Mt. Juliet 46-42 Friday night.
The teams were tied 30-30 through three periods before the Wolverines pulled out their 14th victory in 18 outings overall and 6-2 in District 9-AAA. Mt. Juliet slipped to 12-9, 4-5.
DeMario Watkins led LaVergne with 18 points while Marcus Jefferson added 11 and Justin Bather 10.
Jonta Bowman tossed in two three-pointers on his way to 12 for Mt. Juliet while Demond Craig notched nine, Cory Payne eight, Ryan Overstreet six, Antwuan Majors four and Berek Lunn a three-pointer.
Mt. Juliet led 12-7 following the first quarter and 24-20 at halftime.
The Golden Bears will welcome Beech to Tommy Martin Gym/The Cave on Tuesday night.
Sports Editor Andy Reed contributed to this story.
Staff Writer Kimberly Jordan can be reached at 444-3952 ext. 44 or by e-mail at kimberly.jordan@lebanondemocrat.com.