Season On Line For Lionettes Against Sequatchie Friday

TONY STINNETT, Courier Co-Editor


Cannon County will put its season on the line when the Lionettes face Sequatchie County in the first round of the Region 4-AA Tournament Friday at 7 p.m.

The Lionettes (25-7), the No. 2 seed from District 8-AA, will face Sequatchie County (17-12) in Dunlap hoping to secure a spot in the Region 4-AA semifinals. The semifinals and championships will be held at White County High School Monday and Wednesday, respectively.

In order to get back to White County and keep the season alive the Lionettes face a must-win game against Sequatchie.

“Anytime you are playing an elimination game it is a different type of mindset,” Cannon County Head Coach Michael Dodgen said. “The focus of the team and players changes and it adds extra nerves to the game. These players have been involved in this setting before and have excelled.”

Cannon County is making its fifth straight appearance in the region tournament. Its players are hoping Lionettes’ fans turn Sequatchie County’s house into “their” house.

“Anytime you play on the road and your fans and supporters of the team are in attendance it helps the girls and their mindset,” Dodgen said. “Our fans have always come out and showed support no matter where we play.”

Sequatchie County is led by point guard Melanie Barker and post Kellie Fredrick. Cannon County leading scorer Abbey Sissom was named one of three Class AA Miss Basketball finalists Wednesday.

“Sequatchie is a very well-coached team with a very good point guard,” Dodgen said. “They are a big team inside with a lot of size. They play a slow down type of style.”

Dodgen said Sequatchie County is comparable to a very good York squad from District 8-AA.