TONY STINNETT, Courier Co-Editor
Wednesday, January 4, 2012 3:26 am

Junior Justin Tobin prepares to defend against Warren County Tuesday. Tobin scored five points.

Cannon County split its non-conference doubleheader against Warren County with the Lionettes capturing their fifth straight win and ninth in 10 games, but the Lions fell short in the nightcap at Robert A. Harris Gymnasium Tuesday (Jan. 3).

Lindsey Reed scored 14 points and Abbey Sissom finished with 11 as Cannon County improved to 16-3 with a 43-34 win. Jordan Hollis also enjoyed a solid night with eight points and helped key a strong defensive effort. The Lionettes raced out to a 16-4 first-quarter lead but stalled offensively after the opening stanza.

Cannon County's strong defense never really allowed Warren County to make a threatening run but the offensive lapse did let the Lady Pioneers get back into the game late in the fourth quarter.

The Lions dropped 61-44 decision against the Pioneers with Cory Henley leading the way with nine points. Brad Hutchins tallied 8, followed by Tommy Mitchell with seven, Zach Higgins with six and Justin Tobin with five.

Cannon County trailed by 10, 34-24, at the half but shot just 1-of-12 from the field in the third quarter and trailed 45-26 after three frames. The Lions (6-13) put forth a valiant comeback effort that saw them narrow the deficit to seven, 51-44, with less than two minutes remaining; however, they could get no closer.

(Full recaps of each game will run in the Jan. 10 edition of The Cannon Courier.)