Tuesday, February 5, 2013 10:32 am

By TONY STINNETT/Courier Sports Editor

BAXTER - No. 4-ranked Cannon County maintained control of its destiny in the race for the District 8-AA regular season championship by realizing a first in a 43-28 win against nemesis Upperman Tuesday (Jan. 29).

The win marked the first for Cannon County against Upperman in Baxter since the Lady Bees joined District 8-AA - a span of more than 15 years.

Abbey Sissom led the way with 18 points. She also had three steals and three rebounds. Sissom was the only Lionette in double figures.

The Lionettes (23-3, 8-2) enter the final week of the regular season tied with Livingston Academy for the top spot in District 8-AA; however, Cannon County owns the tiebreaker by virtue of its regular season sweep.

Cannon County faces DeKalb County at home Tuesday and closes out the regular season at Smith County Friday. Livingston Academy plays host to York Tuesday and plays at Murfreesboro Central Thursday.

“It’s a big week because seeding is so important when you are in a district as strong as ours,” Lionettes Head Coach Michael Dodgen said. “The girls have put themselves in position to win a regular-season championship and that’s big in the toughest Class AA district in the state.”

They put themselves in position with the road win at Upperman.

In addition to Sissom’s 18-point effort, Madison Walkup put together a sterling all-around performance to help lead the Lionettes.