Blue Devils drop 10-point decision to LaVergne

By Andy Reed

Sports Editor

Lebanon fell behind early and efforts to rally fell short as the Blue Devils dropped a 53-43 decision to visiting LaVergne on Think Pink night at Campbell Brandon Gym/Hester Gibbs Court.

A quick three-pointer by KeShawn Abston staked Lebanon to a 3-0 lead. But it was the Blue Devils' only advantage of the night as LaVergne, after a slow start, reeled off six straight points.

A coast-to-coast layup by Chuckie Sutton, who led all scorers with 19 points, who converted it into a three-point play, staked LaVergne to a 10-5 lead at the first-quarter break.

Marquis Johns and Dolo Sparks, who totaled 12 points apiece, scored seven each in the second quarter to keep LaVergne ahead 26-19 going into halftime.

A baseline jumper by Michael McCarroll opened a 31-20 LaVergne lead early in the second half. A steal and fallaway layup by DaShawn McMurry drew the Blue Devils within 33-29, but Lebanon could get no closer. Sparks, who tossed in two three-pointers off the bench, opened a 39-29 lead late in the third quarter.

LaVergne improved to 5-1 under Coach Chris Chambers, a former Cumberland player. Principal Dirk Ash, a Lebanon resident, was on Paul Peck's CU staff when Chambers played in the Dallas Floyd Center. One of the Wolverine assistants is Kris Hooper, a Bulldog assistant under Mike Petrone and later Lonnie Thompson.

Zimmer Hunn tried to rally Lebanon with 14 points, including a pair of three-pointers, off the bench. McMurry managed nine, Kadarian Garnett scored seven, Abston and Eddie McDaniels six each and Yalen Reed and Zach Santana two apiece as the Blue Devils dropped to 1-5 going into Tuesday's trip to Shelbyville.

Gaines leads unbeaten Tigers to sixth win

WATERTOWN — Macieo Gaines returned from a one-game absence to score 21 points in Watertown's 53-39 victory over Eagleville on Friday night.

Gaines missed the Purple Tigers' Tuesday win over Hendersonville Christian for disciplinary reasons. But in his return, the point guard hit 8 of 9 shots from the floor and 5 of 7 free throws, secured a game-high seven rebounds, passed for four assists and had a couple of steals as Watertown improved to 6-0.

Watertown bolted to a 13-4 first-quarter lead. The Tigers held serve at 24-16 at halftime and 39-30 going into the fourth before putting away the Eagles down the stretch.

Ty Jobe added eight points and six rebounds for Watertown while Zach Edwards supplied seven points, Nick Sackman five and Ethan Moss and Ben Bain four each.

Josiah Smith supplied five assists as he and Dylan Speck dropped in two points apiece.

Watertown will travel to Jackson County on Tuesday night.

TSU-signee overwhelms Mt. Juliet

NASHVILLE — Jamonte Davis was too much for Mt. Juliet to handle Friday night as the Tennessee State-signee led Hillsboro past Mt. Juliet 66-46 Friday night.

The 6-foot-8 Davis dropped in a game-high 23 points. He scored 11 in the second quarter as Hillsboro widened a 9-5 first-quarter lead to 28-18 by halftime. It got worse for the Golden Bears in the third as they trailed 47-30 going into the fourth.

"We did a pretty good job defensively in the first quarter," Mt. Juliet coach Troy Allen said after his Bears fell to 2-3. "But they're hard to contain. They have a lot of weapons.

"[Davis] can shoot it outside. When they made their run in the second quarter he posted us up. He was hard to deal with."

Daniel Schroder's 17 points led Mt. Juliet while Nolan Chowbay threw in 13. Thomas Sharpe scored seven, Reagan Johnson four, James Womack three and Nick Sadler two.

Mt. Juliet will travel to Murfreesboro on Tuesday for a game at Riverdale's Johnny Parsley Gym.

Saints shoot down Zion

COLUMBIA — Mt. Juliet Christian sank seven three-pointers Friday night in a 61-51 win at Zion Christian.

Jackson Harrell's 21 points, including a pair of threes, led the Saints. Trevor West fired in four treys on his way to 19 as Mt. Juliet Christian pulled even at 3-3.

But while the Saints were lighting the board from downtown, winless Zion stayed in the game at the free-throw line.

"We were shooting well," Mt. Juliet Christian coach Paul Christensen said. "More importantly, we were playing hard and that translated into a lot of fouls. But I would rather teach our kids not to foul than to motivate them to play hard.

"We shot the ball well because of our shot selection. We were more patient."

Zach Jones notched nine points for Mt. Juliet Christian while Brandon Wall finished with five, Brant Lamberth three and Alex Graves and Gilbert Russ two each.

Terrell Blakesley led Zion with 11 points from the backcourt.

Mt. Juliet Christian led 15-12 following the first quarter, 29-22 at halftime and 43-35 through three.

The Saints will travel to Murfreesboro to take on Providence Christian on Tuesday night. The Lions are coached by former MJCA coach Mike Jones.

Sports Editor Andy Reed can be reached at 444-3952, ext. 17; or by email at andy.reed@lebanondemocrat.com