Winning Big: Lionettes, Lions Blast Bledsoe

Courier Sports Report


PIKEVILLE - Christmas will be even merrier for Cannon County's boys and girls basketball teams after each secured a non-district road win against Bledsoe County Monday night. It was the last game for the teams until after Christmas.

The Lionettes (12-1) have won six straight and their only loss near the midway mark was a tough-luck, buzzer-beater at Forrest early in the season. They also appear to be adapting to a new-look rotation forced due to early-season injuries to key personnel.

The Lions (9-4) put forth one of their better defensive efforts to end a three-game road losing streak heading into next week's Hilton San Destin Beach Basketball Blowout in San Destin, Fla.

GIRLS
Cannon County 63
Bledsoe County 32
Cannon County jumped out to a commanding 23-2 lead and rolled to a 62-32 non-district road win against Bledsoe County Monday.

Abbey Sissom and Taylor King led a balanced Cannon County attack with 16 points each, and Emily Sissom continued to pour in double figures each game with 14. Chelsey Payne added seven points and also secured nine rebounds.

In addition to her 16-point performance, King also added seven rebounds, five steals and five assists. Cannon County dominated the boards and had five players with five or more rebounds. Abbey Sissom knocked down 8-of-12 field goals and was 8-9 from inside the 3-point arc.

The Lionettes held Bledsoe County to two points in the first quarter and allowed the hosts just 13 total points in the second half with another smothering defensive effort.
Cannon County will face Paxton in the quarterfinals of the San Destin Beach Basketball Blowout, Dec. 28, at 2:30 p.m.

BOYS
Cannon County 75
Bledsoe County 50
Cannon County turned in a solid defensive effort to end a three-game road losing streak with a 75-50 win against host Bledsoe County.

Justin Davenport and Jared Nave continued to be a strong one-two punch for the Lions (9-4). Davenport led Cannon County with 21 points and Nave finished with 17. T.J. Mitchell scored 10 points and continued to show improvement in his fourth game after returning from offseason shoulder surgery.

Colin Jones (8) and Cody Ruehlen (6) narrowly missed giving the Lions five players in double figures. Nine Cannon County players scored.

The Lions broke the game open with a 22-7 run in the second quarter to take a 42-21 halftime lead. They followed that with a strong third-quarter effort to maintain control.

Cannon County will face Mandeville (La.) in the first round of the San Destin Beach Basketball Blowout Monday at 10 a.m.