Siegel pulls away from Wildcats in fourth

By Andy Reed

Sports Editor

GLADEVILLE — Siegel pulled away from host Wilson Central in the closing minutes of a 61-49 Stars victory Tuesday night.

The Wildcats led throughout the first half, including 26-23 at halftime, and were within 43-38 going into the fourth before the athletic Stars pulled away to their 11th win in 12 outings. Central slipped to 6-3.

"We got tired a little bit," Wildcats coach Troy Bond said. "Siegel was more aggressive. they beat us on the boards in some key spots.

"Our guys played hard. We just didn't compete at the same level the last six or seven minutes of the fourth."

Central was more aggressive, or at least the hotter team, at the outset as the Wildcats fired out to an 11-3 start. Charles Clark's three-pointer from the wing at the first-quarter buzzer drew Siegel within 13-12.

WCHS went back up 20-14 midway through the second quarter before Siegel drew to within striking distance by the break.

Clark connected on four triples in leading Siegel with 16 points. Trey Trice tossed in two triples as he and Robert Brandon each bagged 10.

Jacob Williams was scoring from all over, including twice from beyond the arc, in topping all scorers with 22 for Central. Blake Huffman had 14, Ben Palmer nine and Jon Rosshirt four.

Central will compete in the Sun Drop Tournament hosted by Warren County. But the Wildcats will open at Cannon County against the host Lions at 4:30 p.m. Thursday. The winner will play a double header as Hixson will await at 7:30.

Lebanon lead vanishes in fourth quarter

COOKEVILLE — Cookeville made a one-point Lebanon lead going into the fourth quarter a distant memory by the time the Cavaliers wrapped up a 78-62 victory Tuesday night.

Lebanon led 51-50 going into the fourth before the Cavaliers pulled out to their 10th win in 11 outings.

"They really shot the ball well in the fourth quarter," Lebanon coach Jim McDowell said after his Blue Devils dropped to 3-9. "A lot of it had to do with us not defending well."

Matt Case connected on four three-pointers in leading Cookeville with 25 points while Trey Henderson provided inside balance with 20.

KeShawn Abston also stroked in four triples in leading Lebanon with 23 points while freshman center Yalen Reed scored a career-high 16 and guard Zimmer Hunn had 10. Zach Santana supplied four, DaShawn McMurry and J'Quan Jackson three each and Jemel Officer two.

Lebanon cut Cookeville's 17-11 first-quarter lead to 30-29 by halftime.

The Blue Devils were coming off a 71-63 overtime loss at Smyrna on Monday.

Smyrna was about to wrap up a regulation victory with a nine-point lead with 1:15 left. But McMurry and Abston led a Lebanon rally. McMurry's three-point play put the Blue Devils ahead with 28 seconds left.

The Bulldogs were fouled, made one of two free throws. Smyrna grabbed the offensive rebound but missed a shot at the buzzer to force overtime at 54-54.

Taylor Vanderbilt tossed in two three-pointers in overtime to send Smyrna to victory.

Ganda Ameri, the Bulldogs' 6-foot-7 post, tossed in 20 points while B.J. McGuire scored 16 and Vanderbilt 14, including three triples.

McMurry notched nine of his game-high 22 points in the fourth quarter and sank 7 of 10 free throws for the game. Abston sank a couple of threes on his way to 14. Santana added eight, Hunn seven, Kadarian Garnett five, Reed four and Officer three.

Smyrna led 10-8 following the first quarter before Lebanon moved in front 26-21 at halftime and 35-35 going into the fourth.

Lebanon will next play in the Sonic Shootout at White County against East Limestone, Ala., at 4:30 p.m. Dec. 27.

Sports Editor Andy Reed can be reached at 444-3952, ext. 17; or by email at andy.reed@lebanondemocrat.com