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By DAVID HUNTER
dhunter@cannoncourier.com
Three out of the four Cannon County basketball teams got it done at home last week, while the Middle Grade team achieved another first on eighth grade night. The CCHS Lionettes won their first home district game of the season over Murfreesboro Central Magnet, while the CCMG Lions and Lionettes swept White County for the second time this season.
The CCHS Lionettes snapped a three-game losing streak, and in the process, they picked up their first home District 8AA win of the season along with winning their first game in 2017 with a comfortable 49-34 victory on Jan. 13 at Robert A. Harris Gymnasium.
"It is a really good feeling, and I cannot wait to get many more wins," Lionettes Junior Post Maleah Scott said.
Early in the second quarter, the Lionettes lead was only two, 15-13, but then they got it done on both ends of the floor with a 13-2 run to break the game open, which included seven points during the run by freshman wing Taylor Meeks. She drilled a three-pointer, went coast to coast after causing a Lady Tiger turnover, and finished off after a nice assist in transition by freshman point guard Madison Gaither.
After leading 32-24 at halftime, the Lionettes turned up the defense as they only allowed three points during the third quarter and 10 points in the entire second half to pull away for the 49-34 victory.
"It was a great feeling, and that was something we talked about during shoot around," CCHS Lionettes head coach Jonathan Odom said. "One of the keys on the board was protecting your home floor and embracing having a home game for the first time in six weeks. We came out very determined, I felt like we maintained control throughout the whole game, and we did a really nice job defensively extend our lead and win this game."
A few days later, the Lionettes fell at Livingston Academy, 53-43 to drop to 8-12, 2-5.
As for the Lions, their four-game losing streak continued and they remained winless in the district after falling 52-39 against MCMS, and 77-59 at LA. Now, the Lions record is 3-16, 0-7 as both teams head into a tough home match up against the district leaders in both divisions Upperman on Jan. 20.
As for the CCMG basketball teams, Jan. 16 was a special night as the eighth graders were honored in between games during a ceremony, including six cheerleaders, seven Junior Lionettes, and eight Junior Lions. By the end of the night, both teams made more history in their first season of existence.
Both teams swept White County this season, including at their gym on Dec. 16, and here in Cannon County exactly a month later, the Junior Lions won 41-27, while the Junior Lionettes won 34-22.
"Last night was extra special to get a win in front of nice home crowd, and it being eighth grade night for these kids," Junior Lionettes head coach Ashley Cantrell said. "They were all excited, and for them to get a win was extra special."
Junior Lions head coach Jared Nave added, "I was proud of them last night. We played with some defensive effort and energy, which I frankly had not seen yet. We took three or four charges, and I was prouder of that than any bucket we scored last night."
Heading into their postseason tournament at Forrest last weekend, both CCMG squads are 3-5 in their first ever campaign.
Forrest Middle School is in Chapel Hill, and they hosted a four-team tournament on Jan. 19 and Jan. 21. Both CCMG teams faced neighboring rival, Eagleville in the semifinals, while Forrest took on Page in the other playoff matchup.
Two days later, the boys' and girls' championship and consolation games were held to crown a winner.
However, the Junior Lions and Junior Lionettes finished up their first ever season on Jan. 24 at home with a makeup game against Forest, which was postponed on Jan. 6, because of a snowstorm in the area.
CCHS Box Score
Jan. 13 vs. MCMS
(Lionettes)- Maleah Scott 16, Taylor Meeks-11, Madison Gaither-8, Jessie Kauffman-6, Kristen Fann-6, Olivia Walkup-2.
(Lions)- Brandon Miles 12, Trey Fann-9, Cole George-7, Austin Duggin-5, Lane Willis-3, Josh Walkup-3
CCMG Box Score
Jan. 16 vs. White County
(Junior Lionettes)- Shelby Smithson-11, Shelby Parker-7, Cassie George-6, Bradi Mason-5, Maci Sellars-3, Zettie Elrod-2.
(Junior Lions)- Gus Davenport- 9, Eli Cantrell-6, Connor Tucker-6, Brady Bryson-6, Lavell Rogers-4, Zachary Basham-3, Branden Reed-3, Eddie Hill- 2, James Vassar-2.
HS District 8AA Standings, Results and Standings (As of Jan. 19,)
Girls Standings
Upperman 7-0
Macon 5-2
Smith 5-2
Livingston 5-2
DeKalb 3-4
Cannon 2-5, 8-12
York 1-5
Murfreesboro Central Magnet 0-7
Boys Standings
Macon 7-0
Upperman 6-1
Central Magnet 4-3
Smith 3-4
York 3-4
Livingston 3-4
DeKalb 2-5
Cannon 0-7, 3-16
District Results
Jan. 13
Macon at Upperman B-48-47 (Macon) G-32-71 (Upperman)
DeKalb at Smith B-73-63 (DeKalb), G-52-61 (Smith)
Livingston at York B- 56-55 (York), G-63-54 (Livingston)
Jan. 17
York at Upperman B-83-47 (Upperman), G-90-51 (Upperman)
DeKalb at Macon B-63-41 (Macon), G- 61-36 (Macon)
Smith at Murfreesboro Central Magnet B- 48-42 (MCMS), G- 53-41 (Smith)
District Schedule
Jan. 24
Cannon at Smith
MCMS at Upperman
York at DeKalb
Macon at Livingston
Jan. 27
DeKalb at Cannon
MCMS at York
Livingston at Upperman
