Short-handed Devils burned by Blackman

MURFREESBORO — With several players suspended for disciplinary reasons, Lebanon had trouble scoring and, with one particular player, defending Friday as the Blue Devils dropped a 50-30 decision at Blackman.
Alex Carter dropped eight three-pointers over Lebanon's zone on his way to 26 points in the teams' District 7-AAA opener.
"We were shorthanded," said Keil, who wouldn't identify the players held out. "We played some zone and we didn't find their shooter all night long.
"I have to do a better job communicating the importance of getting out on the shooter."
Lebanon led 10-8 following the first quarter before falling behind 23-15 by halftime and 39-24 through three periods as the Blue Devils dropped to 4-3 for the season with Gallatin visiting Campbell Brandon Gym/Hester Gibbs Court tonight.
"We struggled scoring," Keil said. "We didn't take advantage of the opportunities given us. Give Blackman credit, they did a great job pressuring us. They played good, strong man-to-man defense.
"They're very physical and we didn't handle the physicality very well."
O'Keefe McCarver tossed in 10 points for Lebanon while freshman guard Jalonzo Bishop added eight in his varsity debut. Xavier Smith and Herschal McCathern each finished with four while Michael Edwards and Terrence Logue tossed in two apiece.

Fountain's 24 not enough for Tigers
HENDERSONVILLE — Merrol Hyde's balanced scoring helped produce a 47-41 win over Watertown's one-man scoring show Friday night.
Rob Kolp, Merrol Hyde's 6-7 post, finished with 15 points while James Crague tossed in 12 and Braxton Wilson 11.
Aaron Fountain fired in four three-pointers on his way to a game-high 24 points for the Purple Tigers, who fell to 3-3 for the season and 0-2 in District 8-A. Twenty of Fountain's points came in the first and fourth quarters.
Watertown led 9-8 following the first quarter before falling behind 21-13 by halftime and 35-19 through three periods. The Tigers were within four with 30 seconds left and got a steal. But a missed layup and two nail-hammering free throws by Kolp sealed the Hawks' deal.
"We just didn't shoot the ball well," Watertown assistant coach T.J. Hewitt said, noting the Tigers missed six free throws in the fourth quarter. "We didn't turn the ball over much. They hurt us on the boards a little bit."
Dalton Phillips added eight points for the Purple Tigers while James Shrum finished with four, Justin Breece and Seth Pritchett two each and Victor Loza a free throw.
Watertown will host district rival Trousdale County on Tuesday night.