TONY STINNETT, Courier Co-Editor
Tuesday, November 22, 2011 3:00 am

Abbey Sissom scored a game-high 25 points and Cannon County remained perfect with a 60-52 win against Coffee Co. in the home opener at Robert A. Harris Gymnasium Monday.

The Lionettes (3-0) started strong but had to hit clutch shots down the stretch to secure the win.

The Lions were not as fortunate in their home opener as they fell, 46-37, against the Red Raiders. Cannon County put forth a tremendous defensive effort but offensive woes and costly turnovers plagued the Lions in the second half.

The Lionettes stepped up in class against the Class AAA Coffee County squad. In addition to Sissom's 25, Lindsey Reed finished with 12 points. Ashley Basham aided the win with six points, six rebounds and three blocks, and Jordan Hollis tallied six points.

Sissom, who has scored 24 or more in Cannon County's first three games, connected for six in the final 2:42 after Coffee County had trimmed what once was a 15-point deficit to four, 50-46.

Reed also was huge during the decisive stretch as her defense pressured quick shots and she also was there for every rebound.

The Lionettes held Coffee County to two points in the final three minutes.

"It was really a tale of two halves," Cannon County Head Coach Michael Dodgen said. "We came out strong and with great energy and built the lead. We did not play as well in the second half. Coffee County is a good team and they really took advantage of some our turnovers. The girls really stepped up against a good opponent with the game on the line late."

Cannon County's boys played good enough defense to win on most nights, but the Lions couldn't muster enough offense to take advantage of the nice work on the defensive end. Coffee County managed just 46 points and was held to five second-half field goals.

Cannon County; however, also managed just five second-half field goals. Trailing 36-32 entering the final quarter, Cannon County still had a chance to secure the win but the Lions were 0-for-9 from the field during the first 5:48 of the fourth stanza. Jarrett Melton's 3-pointer ended the scoring drought with 2:12 remaining in the quarter and pulled the Lions to with 42-35 but it was as close as they would get.

The Lions were 2-of-18 from the field in the fourth quarter and 5-of-25 in the second half but still had a chance to win the final four minutes because of a good defensive effort that suffered a few lapses when defenders lost Coffee County shooters.

Cannon County was led by Melton with 14 points and Cory Henley with nine.