TONY STINNETT, Courier Co-Editor
Sunday, December 26, 2010 1:14 pm

Cannon County’s basketball teams will be looking to close out 2010 on a high note and develop momentum for the second half of the season when they participate in the 16th Hilton Sandestin Beach Basketball Classic this week.

The 24-team tournament began Monday (Dec. 27) and continues throughout the week with championships for girls and boys set for Thursday.

The Lionettes (12-1) have stormed out to a strong start in 2010-11 and carry a six-game win streak into the tournament. They open against Paxton (13-1) Tuesday (Dec. 28) at 9 a.m.

“It will be a good tournament and our team is excited to be involved and represent our school, our county and our district, as well as Tennessee Girls Basketball,” Lionettes Head Coach Michael Dodgen said. “We will see good competition and that will help us going into the second half of our season.”

The Lions (9-4) open tournament play Monday (Dec. 27) against Madeville (La.) at 9 a.m. Madeville is an athletic team with a wealth of size so Cannon County will receive a stiff test from the outset.

Cannon County Head Coach Matt Rigsby said the Lions are more concerned about themselves than the opposition.

“Our biggest thing going into this tournament is to continue to focus on our defense and rebounding,” Rigsby said. “We did a good job with that in our last game (against Bledsoe County) and we need to maintain that. We know we are going to face several good teams in this tournament but our focus is really Cannon County.”

Each team is guaranteed three games in the tournament.

Cannon County’s basketball teams will complete the 2010 portion of their schedule with the Sandestin Beach Classic before turning their attention to District 8-AA play.