Blue Devils race past Cavaliers

With O'Keefe McCarver continuing his hot streak from outside and Herschal McCathern proving to be a load inside, Lebanon raced to an early lead Friday as the Blue Devils picked up their first District 7-AAA win of the season 76-60 over Cookeville at Campbell Brandon Gym/Hester Gibbs Court.
Lebanon raced to a 21-6 lead late in the first quarter on a putback by McCathern, who muscled in a game-high 18 points. The Blue Devils led by as much as 20 in the second half to improve to 9-7 for the season and 1-3 in the district.
"We came out with fire and passion," Lebanon coach Doug Keil said. "Our ability to rebound on the offensive glass was great. We didn't give them a lot of shots early."
Cookeville put together a run in the second quarter as Judah Akers tossed in two three-pointers and brother Eli Akers another as the Cavaliers climbed within 25-18.
But Xavier Smith stunted the rally with a pullup three-pointer. A corner three by McCarver, who scored 16, lifted Lebanon to a 45-29 halftime lead.
O'Keefe has been rock solid and Herschal is capable of having that kind of night every night," said Keil, whose Blue Devils rode McCarver's hot hand to a runner-up finish in the Smyrna Tournament last week. "Our guys are starting to buy into what we do and play with the passion that we require.
"We still have a long way to go."
But the Cavaliers had too far to climb Friday night, including too much for Blake Currier, who led all scorers with 19 points, to overcome in the fourth quarter despite his nine points in the period which began with Lebanon leading 63-47. Judah Akers scored 17 as Cookeville fell to 11-8, 1-3.
Terrence Logue tossed in 12 points from the backcourt while Johnson totaled 10, Smith five, Michael Edwards and Connor Burger four each, Robert Crudup three and Josh Hubbard and Casey Nunley two apiece.
The Blue Devils will try to maintain their hot streak tonight when they travel to Gallatin.

Woodard sparks Wildcats in fourth-quarter comeback win
SMYRNA — Proving the value of perseverence, Wilson Central's boys came from behind in the fourth quarter Friday night to overtake Smyrna 52-46 in District 9-AAA action.
The Bulldogs, who were up by nine during the first half, led 13-11 following the first quarter, 22-20 at halftime and 37-35 through three periods before Central stormed back to improve to 11-5 for the season and 1-2 in the district.
"We couldn't score," Wildcat coach Troy Bond said. "We totaled 10 missed layups first half.
"We clawed and fought back and took the lead with two minutes left and held on to get the win."
Sophomore guard Kody Woodard came back from first-half foul trouble to score 17 of his 20 points in the second half, including 10 in the fourth quarter, to spark the Central rally. He threw in three 3-pointers for the game.
Point guard Kelten Stewart tossed in 12 points for Central while Travis Adkins notched nine, freshman Teraes Clemmons came off the bench to add eight and Daniel Palmer pitched in two.
Timmy Egerton fired in four triples to lead Smyrna with 14 points while 6-6 guard Davis Warner tossed in 12 as the Bulldogs dropped to 4-9, 0-3.
Central will host Gallatin in district play Tuesday.

Gritty Tigers run out of gas in fourth quarter
WESTMORELAND — In a season full of frustration, Watertown's boys took it to Westmoreland for most of three quarters Friday before the Eagles shot down the Purple Tigers 51-46 in District 8-A action.
The Tigers led 13-10 following the first quarter and 26-20 at halftime. A three-pointer off the glass by E.J. Perry pulled the Eagles into a 34-34 tie going into the fourth.
"We had our chances to win," Watertown assistant coach T.J. Hewitt said after the Tigers fell to 4-11 for the season and 0-5 in the district.
Westmoreland finally took the lead with around two minutes left after Jeremy Troutt, who led the Eagles with 12 points, tossed in back-to-back three-pointers with defenders in his face to tie the score.
Meanwhile, the Tigers tired as Watertown had no points off the bench while Westmoreland had scoring from nine Eagles.
"We had some good looks and didn't make them toward the end," Hewitt said. "We just missed some easy shots.
"We really came out and competed... We didn't get as much bench help as they did. We stuck with our starters and toward the end, they may have started to lose their legs."
Ben Smith, one of three freshman Tigers in the starting lineup, fired in 14 points to pace all scorers while junior Aaron Fountain finished with 12 and classmate John Kneisel tossed in 10. Nick Lennox added eight and Dalton Phillips two.
Westmoreland made 18 of 31 free throws while the Purple Tigers pitched in 8 of 11.
Watertown will travel to Friendship Christian's Sportsplex on Tuesday.

Fourth quarter disastrous for Mt. Juliet
HENDERSONVILLE — Mt. Juliet and Beech were locked in a back-and-forth District 9-AAA struggle for three periods Friday night.
Then the fourth quarter arrived.
Beech outscored Mt. Juliet by 12 over the final eight minutes to beat the Golden Bears 50-39.
Mt. Juliet led 32-31 going into the fourth. They were ahead 11-10 following the first quarter before Beech moved in front 22-18 by halftime.
Michael Shackleford scored 16 points, Peyton Townley 14 and Reece Chamberlain 11 for the Buccaneers, who moved to 11-7.
Berek Lunn tossed in two three-pointers as he and Corey Payne each notched nine points for Mt. Juliet. Jeremy Dixon added eight while Demond Craig, Anthony Odom and Ryan Overstreet each finished with four and Antwuan Majors a free throw as the Bears dropped to 9-6 going into Tuesday's non-district duel with visiting Father Ryan at Tommy Martin Gym.
Sports Editor Andy Reed can be reached at 444-3952 ext. 17 or by e-mail at andy.reed@lebanondemocrat.com.