Huffman free throws lift Central past LHS

By Andy Reed

Sports Editor

Following a first half in which Wilson Central's boys couldn't put the ball in the ocean from the beech, Blake Huffman found the range from the free-throw line for two tie-breaking points with a second left to lift the visiting Wildcats past Lebanon 48-46 in WCHS' first trip to the new Campbell Brandon Gym/Hester Gibbs Court.

Huffman drove to the basket and was sent to the foul line when a reach-in foul was called on Lebanon freshman Yalen Reed. After sinking the first free throw into the raucous LHS student section, the cheering abruptly shifted to the Central sections behind the benches and opposite basket as the new gym proved to be as loud as its more intimate predecessor.

"A pretty weak reach foul, I felt like," Lebanon coach Jim McDowell said after his Blue Devils dropped to 3-6 for the season and 1-2 in District 9-AAA. "It was a heck of a game. Both teams laid it on the line, and I hate to see a game decided on what I felt was a questionable call... There was a lot more contact throughout the game that wasn't called.

"Got to give Central credit. They battled back. We did give up the dribble penetration and anytime you do that, you run the risk of having an official call a foul."

Following a 10-10 first-quarter tie, Lebanon moved in front 19-14 by halftime as Huffman missed two free throws with less than a second remaining.

"Wasn't much shooting percentage first half," Central coach Troy Bond said after his Wildcats climbed to 6-2, 2-1. "That may have been a record for us, lowest point total in a half. We got the ball where we wanted. We couldn't put it in the hole in any shape, form or fashion."

But Jacob Williams scored 21 of his game-high 26 points after intermission as Central stormed back.

"We controlled the tempo better in the second half," Bond said. "We did a better job executing in the halfcourt."

Huffman had 10 points while Ben Palmer powered in six, Casey Brandon [on a night his grandfather was one of six new LHS Sports Hall of Famers inducted before the game] a three-pointer, Matthew Hall two and A.J. Franklin a free throw.

KeShawn Abston came off the bench to lead Lebanon with 14 points, including eight in the fourth quarter which started with Central in front 29-28. His basket off the glass after his missed free throw was tipped back to him by DaShawn McMurry tied the game 46-46 with 24 seconds left.

Zimmer Hunn had nine points for Lebanon while Reed and Zach Santana each scored seven from inside, McMurry four, Jemel Officer three and Kadarian Garnett two.

Lebanon will travel to Smyrna on Monday night. Central will entertain Siegel on Tuesday.

Friendship holds off Pickett County

BYRDSTOWN — Friendship Christian connected on eight three-pointers Friday night as the Commanders spoiled Pickett County's homecoming by holding off the Bobcats 45-44.

The Commanders led by 12 points early in the fourth quarter. But Pickett County connected on four triples down the stretch to pull to within one as Friendship improved to 2-4.

"First game we've played against a team that zoned us," Friendship assistant coach Jason Miller said.

A.J. Long found the range from downtown with four triples on his way to 14 points for Friendship while backcourt partner Zack Anderson added 11, including a pair of threes. Allen Heaston had seven points, Anthony Williams six, Andrew Wood four and Sam Gatlin a three.

Friendship led 12-10 following the first quarter, 24-19 at halftime and 36-27 through three.

FCS will play host to Middle Tennessee Christian [and former Commander player and coach Jason Piercey] on Thursday at the Bay Family Sportsplex.

Bears overcome early struggles to escape Portland

PORTLAND — Mt. Juliet overcame a slow start Friday night to pull away from Portland 41-31.

The Golden Bears fell behind 9-4 in the first quarter and 18-14 at halftime before passing the Panthers 28-24 going into the fourth as Mt. Juliet improved to 5-4 for the season and 2-1 in District 9-AAA.

"We got in big foul trouble early," Mt. Juliet coach Troy Allen said. "Had to hang in there first half. Had trouble scoring. We had to play a few players who hadn't played too much. Had to play a lot of zone.

"Did a good job of keeping it close first half and then we had a good third quarter."

Daniel Schroder's 17 points in the post led Mt. Juliet. Hunter Gilbert hit a pair of three-pointers on his way to eight while Nolan Chowbay chipped in with six, Reagan Johnson and Austin Brown four each and Nick Sadler two.

Corbin Keen's 12 points in the post paced Portland.

Mt. Juliet will face LaVergne at 8 p.m. next Friday as the Bears play host to the annal Chick-fil-A Classic. The Lady Bears will meet Blackman at 6:30 p.m... Brentwood's boys will open the triple header with a 5 p.m. tipoff against Hunters Lane.

Foul trouble haunts Saints on East Tennessee trip

SEYMOUR — Mt. Juliet Christian fell behind early and never caught up in a 40-36 loss to King's Academy on Friday night.

The Lions led 12-6 following the first quarter, 29-12 at halftime and 32-28 through three as the Saints fell to 5-5.

"We continue to get in foul trouble early and having to go to our freshmen and sophomores off the bench," Mt. Juliet Christian coach Paul Christensen said. "We got to figure a way to play hard without fouling."

Adam Deatheridge dropped in 18 points for King's.

Jackson Harrell had 11 points for Mt. Juliet Christian while Brandon Wall scored seven, Trevor West six, Nathan Green and Zach Jones four each and Gilbert Russ and Brant Lamberth three apiece.

Mt. Juliet Christian will remain in East Tennessee today for an early-afternoon game at Knoxville Webb.

McClain gets second-half comeback win

MT. JULIET — McClain Christian climbed back in the second half Friday night to overtake Pleasant View Christian 54-45 at one of the Bulldogs' homes away from home, Charlie Daniels Park.

Brandon Fox finished with 20 points, five assists and four rebounds for McClain while Weston Rountree racked up 10 rebounds.

"When we were trailing at halftime, I told the kids if they just communicated better and moved a step quicker on defense, they'd come back and they did," McClain coach Tony McLeod said. "Jon Whitener played his best game of the season, and getting Troy Huddleston back from injury was huge. Cameron Harris provided a lot of energy off the bench as well."

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