Commanders block out Westmoreland

WESTMORELAND — Facing a Westmoreland team which has won or been in the District 8-A final practically every year since dropping down from Class AA, Friendship Christian took it to the Eagles from the start Friday in a 61-38 conquest.
The Commanders jumped to a 17-5 first-period lead behind eight points from John Hatcher and carried a 34-17 margin into halftime as they improved to 11-3 for the season. They shoved Westmoreland out of a share of the district lead as FCS moved to 5-0 in the league and dropped the Eagles to 4-1.
"We did a good job tonight defensively as far as jumping out early and making shots," Commander coach Matt Bradshaw said. "We got a lot of steals early. We put the ball in the hole and it always helps.
"We did a good job defensively of rebounding, not giving them more than one shot. We boxed out well."
Michael Teeter scored 17 points from the post for Friendship while Garrett McKnight tossed in two three-pointers on his way to 11. Hatcher finished with 10 while John Doak added eight, Taylor Ferraro five, Cameron Spaulding four, Lee Maasen three, Adam Stephens two and Parker Freels a free throw.
Point guard Teddy Kowalski scored 11 to lead Westmoreland.
Friendship will return to Sumner County tonight when the Commanders travel to Station Camp.

Purple Tigers fall at Gordonsville
GORDONSVILLE — Watertown suffered a 64-37 loss to District 8-A rival Gordonsville on Friday to fall to 4-13 on the season.
Turnovers and poor shooting proved to be the Tigers' downfall.
"We turned the ball over too much in the first half," Purple Tiger coach T.J. Hewitt said.
Gordonsville took advantage of the early mistakes to take a 19-11 lead at the close of the first quarter and led 39-23 going to the locker room at halftime.
Watertown had the opportunity to close the gap in the third period, but couldn't convert, going 4-of-18 for the quarter.
"We didn't shoot the ball well," Hewitt said.
Jake Howard of Gordonsville led all scorers with 22 points. Josh Harris fired in 12 for Gordonsville.
For Watertown, Aaron Fountain tossed in 15 points, including three 3-pointers. Ben Smith had 11, John Kniesel put in four; Nick Lennox, James Shrum and Dalton Phillips all tossed in two and Levi Tschaekoski a free throw.
The Tigers host district rival Merrol Hyde on Tuesday.