Road-warrior Wildcats run win streak to four

KNOXVILLE — NBA players grow to hate the road and the constant grind of 41 road contests in an 82-game season which seems to take three years to run.
On the other hand, Wilson Central's boys seem to thrive living out of motel rooms and suitcases.
Days after winning a tournament in Alabama, the Wildcats embarked on another holiday classic Wednesday by whipping Knoxville West 66-36 in the Pilot Foot Mart Classic at Knoxville Catholic.
"We got a really young group, no seniors," said Central coach Troy Bond, whose 9-4 Wildcats will carry a four-game winning streak into tonight's 7:30 p.m. CST game against host Catholic. "(In getting away, the players are) staying together and getting closer and at this point, you're kind of in your second season.
"Some of our guys have gotten better. They've gotten comfortable in the system."
The Wildcats widened a 13-10 first-quarter lead to a comfortable 30-21 halftime margin. They led by a leisurly 51-25 score going into the fourth.
Kody Woodard threw in three 3-pointers on his way to 17 points for Central while Travis Adkins knocked down nine, Daniel Palmer and Jarvis Jenkins eight each, Teraes Clemmons seven, Kelten Stewart six, JaJuan Brooks and Arcavius McMurray four each and Austin Auld three.
Jordan Johnson tossed in 12 points and Patrick Maloney 11 for West.

Mt. Juliet offense clicks in rout of Glencliff
NASHVILLE — In jumping past Glencliff 67-36 Wednesday in the opening round of the Father Ryan Tournament, Mt. Juliet coach Troy Allen saw his Golden Bears start to click more efficiently on offense.
The Bears bolted to a 14-8 first-quarter lead and carried a 38-17 margin into halftime as they improved to 7-5 for the season.
"By far our best offensive game," said Allen, whose Bears will face Independence (a 20-point upset winner over Clarksville) at 6:30 p.m. tonight in the semifinals. "We moved the ball, shared the ball. I can't remember us taking a bad shot.
"We've been focusing on passing up a good shot to get a great shot. It's a key for us not to take the quick shot."
Mt. Juliet worked the ball inside to Cory Payne, who powered in 20 points wihle Jeremy Dixon dropped in a pair of threes on his way to 11. Demond Craig also pumped in a pair of triples as he and Jonta Bowman each added eight points. Robert Hill and Berek Lunn finished with five points apiece while Darryl Jackson flipped in four and Jay Garner, Antwuan Majors and Ryan Overstreet tossed in two each.
No one scored in double figures for Glencliff.