Jones powers Friendship past Tigerettes

By Andy Reed

andy.reed@lebanondemocrat.com

WATERTOWN — Deja Jones posted another double-double Friday night to lead Friendship Christian past Watertown 65-47 in the Lady Commanders' final District 8-A visit to their longtime rival.

Jones dropped in 30 points and took down 12 rebounds in the post and swiped five steals for good measure as the Lady Commanders climbed to 15-6 for the season and a final 6-2 in the district.

The Lady Commanders led for much of the first quarter. But Kirstin Vantrease hit one of her four three-pointers and Alicia Jennings a layup to propel the Tigerettes to a 12-11 edge at the break.

Taylor Patterson popped in a three-pointer to start a 14-0 Friendship run to open the second quarter. Watertown freshman center Bobbi Staats, who injured her knee Tuesday against Jackson County, went down shortly after Patterson's three and did not return.

Jones notched nine points in the period as Friendship opened a 29-17 halftime lead. She scored 10 more during the third which ended 48-34.

Courtney Petty came off the Friendship bench to toss in 10 points, sinking all six of her free throws. Point guard Kristian Watkins notched nine points, six steals and four assists. Forward Kaitlyn Teeter added eight points, 15 rebounds, five assists and two blocked shots. Several of her assists were drop-down passes to Jones.

Patterson and Brianna Stovall each threw in three and Aubrey Hawks two free throws.

Vantrease finished with 14 points while fellow guard Alicia Jennings tossed in 10, Jasmine High seven, Shelby Mofield five, Shelby Hamlet four, Hannah Zackary a three-pointer and Katie Dalton and Bay Cole two each as Watertown slipped to 12-13, 2-4.

Friendship will play host to Ezell-Harding at 6 p.m. Monday at the Bay Family Sportsplex in a makeup game from the November football run. Watertown will travel to Gordonsville 24 hours later.

The Tigerettes will play host to Pickett County at 3 p.m. next Saturday in a makeup game. Friendship's game at Clay County will not be rescheduled.

Devilettes weather Gallatin's third-quarter run

GALLATIN — Lebanon enjoyed a big first half and weathered a Gallatin rally in the third quarter to post a 57-50 road victory Friday night.

A 23-11 second quarter enabled Lebanon to widen a 13-11 first-period edge to a 36-22 halftime cushion. Gallatin won the third stanza 18-11 to draw within 47-40 before the teams held serve in the fourth as the Devilettes improved to 13-11 for the season and 8-4 in District 9-AAA.

Forward Abby Wright led Lebanon with 20 points while point guard Julia Fox threw in three 3-pointers on her way to 19. Madison Sloan scored nine points, Faith Rushing four, Bailey Sells three and Kristen Dedman two.

No one scored in double figures for Gallatin.

Lebanon will play host to Beech at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at Campbell Brandon Gym/Hester Gibbs Court.

Central dominates second quarter, boards against Station Camp

GLADEVILLE — Wilson Central dominated the second quarter Friday night as the Lady Wildcats celebrated Coming Home with a 48-34 win over Station Camp.

The Lady Wildcats used a 14-2 second to turn a 12-11 deficit into a 25-14 halftime lead. Station Camp climbed to within five during the third quarter before Central pulled away and pulled even for the season at 12-12 and climbed to 7-5 in District 9-AAA.

Hailey Averitt hit two three-pointers, including one in the third quarter to help turn back the Bison, in leading the Lady Wildcats with 15 points while forward Rachel Bean totaled 14 points, including 4-of-4 from the free-throw line, and 13 rebounds. Kendall Spray sank a pair of threes on her way to eight while Dominique St. Louis dropped in five second-period points. Hannah Brewer bagged a third-quarter trey, Sydney Comer tossed in two and Autumn Hopkins a free throw.

Central sank 9 of 11 free throws, including all seven in the second half. The Lady Wildcats connected on 17 of 33 shots from the floor, including 5 of 8 three-pointers.

But the most telling stat may have been Central's 36-16 dominance on the glass.

Alli Fulcher fired in three 3-pointers in leading the Bison with 11 points while Belmont-signee Kia Perry put in 10.

Central will play host to Portland for Senior Night at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday.

Lady Bears pull away from Hendersonville.

HENDERSONVILLE — Mt. Juliet blew open a close game following the first quarter Friday night as the Lady Bears pulled away from Hendersonville 65-38.

The Lady Bears led 14-13 following the first quarter before opening a 30-22 halftime advantage and 49-34 going into the fourth as they improved to 18-6 for the season and a league-leading 11-1 in District 9-AAA.

Mt. Juliet went inside to center Sally McCabe, who led the Lady Bears with 25 points, and forward Ronjanae DeGray, who finished with 15. Savannah Sanders and Karly Dyer each dropped in a pair of three-pointers as they and Raeyana DeGray scored six points apiece while Tyia Waller finished with five and Haley DeWitt two.

Emily Hatfield had 20 points in the post for Hendersonville.

Mt. Juliet will travel to Station Camp on Tuesday for a 6:30 p.m. tipoff.

Halftime lead slips away from Lady Saints

MT. JULIET — Mt. Juliet Christian saw a halftime lead slip away in the third quarter Friday night as Donelson Christian took home a 44-31 victory.

The Lady Saints trailed 3-2 following the first quarter, but led 13-9 by halftime. DCA used a 19-9 third period to go up 28-22 as Mt. Juliet Christian fell to 9-13 for the season, 4-6 in Division-II District 1-A.

Andrea Grigsby totaled 27 points for DCA.

Shelby Leech sank three 3-pointers as she and Lynnze Ethridge scored nine points apiece for the Lady Saints. Meredith Orr supplied six points, Lauren Wankel five and Liz Russ two.

Mt. Juliet Christian will play host to Zion Christian at 6 p.m. Tuesday to close the regular season.