Cold-shooting Lady 'Cats fall to Cookeville

By Andy Reed

Sports Editor

GLADEVILLE — Cookeville has long been known for its grind-it-out defensive games under veteran coach Mindy Odom.

Wilson Central couldn't get shots to fall in a 45-38 setback Tuesday night.

The teams went back and forth throughout the first half. But a three-pointer and a runner by Hannah Goolsby, who led all scorers with 22 points, propelled the Lady Cavaliers into the lead and Toiya Gwynn's three-pointer opened a 20-15 halftime lead.

Goolsby capped the 11-0 Cookeville run with a three to open the second half for a 23-15 lead.

The Lady Wildcats cut the margin to four once and to five on several other occasions. But Goolsby, who hit four triples on the night, scored seven in the fourth to keep Central at bay as Cookeville climbed to 4-4 for the season.

"We had good looks, uncontested open looks," Lady Wildcats coach Bud Brandon said after Central shot 28 percent in falling to 3-3. "At some point in time, we missed a few, and then we lost our focus.

"It's not characteristic of girls' basketball here."

Center Dominique St. Louis led the Lady Wildcats with 10 points while Autumn Hopkins and Rachel Bean each notched nine, Sydney Comer five and Hannah Brewer four.

Central will play host to Hendersonville in the District 9-AAA opener at 6:30 p.m. Friday. The Lady Wildcats' game against Rossview on Saturday has been canceled.

Devilettes post first win at Shelbyville since 1984

SHELBYVILLE — Lebanon jumped to an early lead and withstood a late Shelbyville rally Tuesday as the Devilettes won here for the first time since 1984 47-43.

LHS was up 13-10 following the first quarter, 24-14 at halftime and 32-29 through three as the Devilettes overcame early foul trouble to move to 4-3.

"Our reserves came in and did a real good job," Lebanon coach Courtney McFarlin said. "We were playing good defense in the first half. Then second half, we put them on the free-throw line. We fouled them too much."

Center Abby Wright racked up 11 points for Lebanon while Julia Fox finished with nine. Faith Rushing sank a pair of three-pointers as she, Madison Sloan and Morgan Bruce each scored six, Jameka Dowell four, Kelsey Yarbrough three and Sydney Floyd two.

Jameka Braden, Shelbyville's do-it-all player, led the Eaglettes with 13 points.

Lebanon will open District 9-AAA action at 6:30 p.m. Friday at Mt. Juliet.

Westmoreland press wears out Friendship

WESTMORELAND — Westmoreland's press rendered Friendship Christian helpless Tuesday night as the Lady Eagles topped the Lady Commanders 42-22.

The Lady Eagles led 14-6 following the first quarter, 24-7 at halftime and 33-13 through three as Friendship fell to 1-2.

Deja Jones tossed in 12 points and fellow post Kaitlyn Teeter the other 10 for Friendship.

"Their pressure affected us," Lady Commander coach Deanna Teeter said. "We could not do anything."

Friendship will play host to Lancaster Christian at 6 p.m. Friday at the Bay Family Sportsplex.

Ethridge's 25 lifts Lady Saints to road win

MURFREESBORO — Lynnze Ethridge's inside scoring and Shelby Leech's outside bombs lifted Mt. Juliet Christian past host Providence Christian 48-20 Tuesday night.

Ethridge hammered home 25 points while Leech hit a pair of three-pointers on her way to 10.

The Lady Saints led 13-4 following the first quarter and 30-13 at halftime.

Lauren Wankel scored six for the Lady Saints while Meredith Orr threw in three and Amanda Wall and Alyssa Welsh two each.

No one scored in double figures for Providence, coached by former MJCA coach Mike Jones.

Mt. Juliet Christian will travel to Bell Buckle on Friday to take on Webb.

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