McKnight, Commanders shut down Saints

MT. JULIET — Garrett McKnight was on fire in the second quarter Tuesday while Friendship Christian's press put out Mt. Juliet Christian's offense in a 70-40 Commander conquest.
McKnight fired in 14 of his 17 points, including both of his three-pointers, in the second quarter as Friendship widened a 19-10 lead to 48-15 by halftime.
Center Michael Teeter scored 16 points and guard John Doak 11 as the Commanders climbed to 12-4 for the season and 6-0 in District 8-A. John Hatcher supplied seven points, Lee Maasen six, Adam Stephens five, Matt Goodner four and Taylor Ferraro and Hardie Sorrels two each.
"We did a good job in our fullcourt and our halfcourt defense," Commander coach Matt Bradshaw said. "The biggest thing we're preaching right now is deflections on the ball, not necessarily steals, but getting a hand on the ball and disrupting the offense and we did a good job of it tonight."
They did such a good job Victor Underwood was held to 13 points, a total matched by fellow 6-5 junior post Blake Marsh. Austin Wortman tossed in two three-pointers on his way to eight while Bryce Middleton managed four and Dillon Bradshaw two as the Saints slipped to 9-8, 2-5.
Mt. Juliet Christian will host Radnor Baptist on Thursday. Friendship will await a visit from Clay County on Friday.

Johnson lifts Lebanon to overtime win over Siegel
Alex Johnson's short bank shot with 4.6 seconds left in overtime lifted Lebanon to a 73-71 heart-stopping victory over Siegel on Tuesday at Campbell Brandon Gym/Hester Gibbs Court.
Connor Burger caught the inbounds pass out of a Lebanon timeout and fed Johnson for the basket. The Blue Devils survived a last-ditch shot by Siegel to improve to 11-9 for the season and 3-4 in District 7-AAA.
"We ran an inbounds play," Keil said of the winning shot. "It didn't happen exactly the way we drew it up, but it was one of the options. He caught it and shot it off the glass."
Lebanon led by 11 during the second half before Siegel surged in front by eight midway through the fourth quarter before the teams went into overtime tied 66-66. The Stars were up 19-18 following the first quarter before the Blue Devils moved in front 40-35 by halftime. The score was tied 52-52 through three periods.
"We picked up our defense intensity and hit a couple of baskets, got back in the ballgame," Keil said of the down-the-stretch rally. "We were fortunate to take it into overtime."
O'Keefe McCarver fired in four three-pointers on his way to 21 points for Lebanon while Burger tossed in 12 and fellow post Herschal McCathern muscled in 11. Johnson added eight while Michael Edwards scored seven, Casey Nunley four and Ken Walton, Josh Hubbard and Terrence Logue two each.
Braxton Terry totaled 22 points for Siegel while Tyler Cutter threw in three 3-pointers en route to 16 as the Stars slipped to 9-12, 2-5.
Lebanon will remain at home Friday as Blackman visits for another district contest.

Fourth-quarter run seals Wildcat win
GLADEVILLE — A 12-0 run midway through the fourth quarter broke open a close game Tuesday as Wilson Central pulled away from Hendersonville 55-40.
The Wildcats led all the way, including 15-7 following the first quarter, 24-18 at halftime and 35-32 through three periods as they improved to 13-6 for the season and 3-3 in Distirct 9-AAA.
"It was a good win for us," Wildcat coach Troy Bond said. "We had a cuople of bad moments at times but we battled through it."
Kody Woodard tossed in two three-pointers on his way to 16 points for Central while center Travis Adkins added 11, JaJuan Brooks eight, Daniel Palmer six, Teraes Clemmons and Arcavius McMurray four each and Jarvis Jenkins, Preston Jenkins and Zach Begley two each.
Point guard Kelten Stewart didn't score, but passed for five assists in running the offense.
Joey Walker finished with 14 points while fellow forward Troy Watson added 11 for Hendersonville.
Central will host LaVergne for Coming Home on Friday.

Watertown snaps long losing streak behind Fountain's passing, scoring
WATERTOWN — Watertown snapped a long losing streak Tuesday with a 58-38 win over Merrol Hyde.
Aaron Fountain, Watertown's only reliable scorer through most of a 5-14 season, totaled 26. But the junior guard got most of his points down the stretch after involving others in the offense. He threw in three of his four three-pointers in the fourth quarter as the Purple Tigers picked up their first District 8-A win of the year after seven setbacks.
"We started passing the basketball," Watertown assistant coach T.J. Hewitt said. "We distributed the basketball. We got people in position to score.
"Aaron allowed the offense to flow, get other people involved in the offense."
Freshman forward Dalton Phillips was perfect from the floor in five attempts and from the free-throw line in two tries for 12 points. John Kneisel scored six points while Victor Loza and Seth Pritchett each finished with four and Justin Breece and James Shrum two apiece as the Purple Tigers hit 24 of 47 from the floor.
No one scored in double figures for the Hawks, who trailed 14-9 following the first quarter, 29-19 at halftime and 39-29 through three periods.
"Our defense really, really played well," Hewitt said. "Our press gave them a lot of problems.
"The thing I liked best was we pressed from beginning to end and they shot only four free throws. When you press without fouling, you're in better shape."
Watertown will travel to Trousdale County on Friday.

Bears beaten on the boards, scoreboard by Gallatin
GALLATIN — Scoring and rebounding, or the lack therof, were an impossible combination for Mt. Juliet to overcome Tuesday as Gallatin pulled away in the fourth quarter to a 55-39 win.
The Golden Bears, who were led by Jonta Bowman's 10 points, stayed within striking distance until the fourth quarter, trailing 12-10 following the first, 25-21 at halftime and 34-30 through three periods as they dropped to 10-8 for the season and 2-4 in District 9-AAA.
"It was won on the glass," Mt. Juliet coach Troy Allen said. "I haven't officially statted it, but they outrebounded us 27-9. The dominated us. That was a key to the game and it played out that way.
"We played great defense. If we would have held them to one shot, we'd have been right in it."
Forward Jonathan Newbell notched 11 points for Gallatin.
Ryan Overstreet added eight points for Mt. Juliet while Demond Craig scored seven, Antwuan Majors five, Berek Lunn a three-pointer and Robert Hill, Cory Payne and Jeremy Starks two each.
Mt. Juliet will travel to Smyrna on Friday.