Wednesday, December 26, 2012 11:55 am

TONY STINNETT/ Courier Sports Editor

Cannon County is playing in the Sun Drop Romp Christmas Basketball Tournament, hosted by Warren County, and that’s just what the Lionettes did in their first-round game.

Coming off of their only loss of the season, Cannon County (11-1) wasted no time jumping out to an early lead and romping past Grundy County, 71-40, in the quarterfinals of the Sun Drop Romp.

Abbey Sissom poured in 17 of her game-high 25 points in the first half and helped spark an early run that Grundy County could not overcome at Robert A. Harris Gymnasium.

Sissom led a balanced attack as several Lionettes got into the action. Madison Walkup was the only other player in double figures with 10, followed by Rebekah Faulkner and Abby Jakes with nine each and Emily Pemberton with five.

“We were down after our last game (a 39-36 setback against Warren County) and we wanted to come back and play well and put that bad performance in the past,” Sissom said. “That loss to Warren County was tough but it also can be a good learning lesson. I think we took it to heart.”

Grundy County (3-8) was the unfortunate victim.

The Lionettes vaulted to a 31-11 lead and continued to stretch the margin by halftime.

“The girls came out and really came out and took care of business,” Cannon County Head Coach Michael Dodgen said. “Our approach was very good and several players were able to get into the game, which is always a good thing. It doesn’t get any easier against a Rhea County team that is very solid. We just have to keep improving and playing as we are capable.”

The Lionettes were scheduled to play Rhea County in the semifinals Friday (Dec. 21) and the championship game was played Saturday. Those games can be accessed at CannonCourier.com and the stories will appear in the Jan. 2 print edition of The Cannon Courier.