Jackson County runs past Tigerettes

By Andy Reed

andy.reed@lebanondemocrat.com

WATERTOWN — After jumping to an early lead, Watertown gave up a pair of first-half runs and another in the second as Jackson County, tied for No. 2 in the Associated Press Class A poll, took down the Tigerettes 68-50 Tuesday night.

The Tigerettes jumped to a 7-2 lead. But freshman center Bobbi Staats injured her knee during the opening spurt and did not return.

Without Staats, Jackson County went on a 10-0 run to go up 18-9 and another to close the first half ahead 33-17. The Lady Devils ended the third quarter with a 7-0 spurt to open a 47-31 lead after Watertown had closed the margin to 10.

"Their spurtability is huge to be able to put points together in a short amount of time," Watertown coach Lane Price said after his Tigerettes slipped to 12-12. "We gave a lot of easy baskets in those times where we didn't box out and they were able to get putbacks."

Big girl McKenzie Hensley got many of those putbacks and was unstoppable when she got the ball on the low block in leading all scorers with 22 points.

"We wanted to front her and they did a good job lobbing the ball over the top, emptying all the help on the back side," Price said.

Also damaging to Watertown was Jaycee Coe's 18 points, many on layups after steals. She scored eight in the first quarter and 12 in the first half.

"They were running the run-and-jump on us and Jaycee did a good job of anticipating, got a couple of easy baskets," Price said.

Brooklyn Apple added all 12 of her points in the second half, including three 3-pointers to help fuel Jackson County's second-half run. Tiona Purett pitched in with 11 as the Lady Devils improved to 21-3.

Junior guard Alicia Jennings led Watertown with 19 points, sinking 6 of 7 free throws. Shelby Mofield threw in three triples as she and forward Bay Cole each added 11. Kirstin Vantrease finished with four points, Staats [whose knee was believed to be hyperextended and will be examined today, according to Price] and Hannah Zackary two apiece and Shelby Hamlet a free throw as the Tigerettes saw a three-game winning streak snapped.

"My girls played real hard tonight," Price said. "Might not have played the smartest, but we played hard. We're getting better.

"We won three straight on three people that had beaten us the first go-around. That's a good sign a team's getting better at the right time of the year."

Watertown will jump back into District 8-A action Friday when Friendship Christian comes to town for a 6 p.m. tipoff.

Bison balance too much for Lebanon

GALLATIN — Four Station Camp players scored in double figures Tuesday night as the Bison beat visiting Lebanon 61-50.

The Bison led 18-14 following the first quarter, 28-19 at halftime and 39-27 through three as the Devilettes dropped to 12-11 for the season, 7-4 in District 9-AAA.

Janasia Williams led the winners with 17 points while Alli Fulcher buried a pair of three-pointers on her way to 14. Savannnah Keele collected 12 and Kia Perry picked up 11.

Madison Sloan led Lebanon with 11 points while Juila Fox flicked in a pair of threes as she and Kelsey Yarbrough each tossed in 10. Abby Wright notched nine points, Faith Rushing seven and Kristen Dedman a three.

Lebanon will return to the area Friday night, taking on nearby Gallatin at 6:30 p.m.

Lady Wildcats climb back to beat Gallatin

GALLATIN — Wilson Central overcame a slow start to knock off Gallatin 49-39 Tuesday night.

The Lady Wave opened a 12-8 lead in the first quarter. Central used a 16-7 second period to go up 24-19 at halftime and widened the lead to 41-30 through three as the Lady Wildcats climbed to 10-11 for the season and 6-5 in District 9-AAA.

Autumn Hopkins hit three 3-pointers in leading the Lady Wildcats with 19 points. Sydney Comer scored seven while Hailey Averitt added six, Kendall Spray five, Rachel Bean and Hannah Brewer four each and Dominique St. Louis and Rachel Burkett two apiece.

No one scored in double figures for Gallatin, which will play host to Lebanon at 6:30 p.m. Friday while Wilson Central entertains Station Camp at the same time.

Lady Commanders win at Red Boiling Springs

RED BOILING SPRINGS — It was a low-scoring game, but not as much for Friendship Christian as for Red Boiling Springs as the Lady Commanders took home a 35-25 triumph Tuesday night.

The Lady Bulldogs held a 4-3 edge after one quarter before Friendship slipped in front 14-12 by halftime and 25-19 going into the fourth as the Lady Commanders climbed to 14-6 for the season, 5-2 in District 8-A.

Center Deja Jones led the Lady Commanders with 18 points while Kristian Watkins knocked down nine, Kaitlyn Teeter and Aubrey Hawks each hit a three-pointer and Brianna Stovall two.

Mayson Burgener led the Lady Bulldogs with 17 points.

Friendship will stay closer to home Friday when the Lady Commanders travel to Watertown for a 6 p.m. tipoff.

Lady Bears avenge lone 9-AAA loss

MT. JULIET — Mt. Juliet got a 40-32 payback win over Beech on Tuesday night, avenging their only District 9-AAA loss.

The Lady Bears led 11-7 following the first quarter before falling behind 20-18 by halftime. Mt. Juliet used a 13-4 third period to regain momentum, and the lead, 31-24 as the home team improved to 17-6 for the season and 10-1 in the district.

Mt. Juliet used its post game of Sally McCabe, who led the Lady Bears with 17 points. Point guard Tyia Waller tossed in 12 while Ronjanae DeGray added eight and Haley DeWitt three.

Falon Baker bombed in five three-pointers in leading the Lady Buccaneers with 17 points as Beech slipped to 17-7, 7-4.

Mt. Juliet will travel to Hendersonville on Friday for a 6:30 p.m. tipoff.

Lady Saints post up St. Andrew's

SEWANEE — Mt. Juliet Christian went inside on top of Monteagle Mountain and toppled St. Andrew's-Sewanee 47-20 Tuesday night.

Lynnze Ethridge led the Lady Saints with 19 points while fellow post Lauren Wankel tossed in 12 as Mt. Juliet Christian led from the first quarter on in climbing to 9-12 for the season, 4-5 in Division II District 1-A.

The Lady Saints led 13-7 following the first quarter, 27-15 at halftime and 37-18 going into the fourth.

Meredith Orr scored seven points for the Lady Saints while Shelby Leech finished with five and Bailey Jarrett and Liz Russ two each.

Michaela Shackleford sank three 3-pointers in leading the Lady Lions with 12 points.

Mt. Juliet Christian will return home to take on area rival Donelson Christian at 6 p.m. Friday.