Lady 'Cats drop close call in overtime

By Andy Reed

Sports Editor

GLADEVILLE — If Wilson Central played horseshoes and hand grenades, it would have something to show for its close games.

But close doesn't count when trailing on the scoreboard at the end, such as Tuesday's 57-50 setback to visiting Siegel.

The Lady Stars sank 7 of 8 free throws in overtime with Paris Lawson scoring seven points in the four-minute session.

Central point guard Sydney Comer forced overtime by taking the inbounds pass near midcourt and driving all the way to the basket to knot the count at 46-46.

Much like the Lady Wildcats' loss at Lebanon last Friday, no more than five points separated the teams until the end as Siegel improved to 11-2 while Central slipped to 4-6.

"We competed as well as any game that we've played this year," Lady Wildcat coach Bud Brandon said. "The girls came to play. Dominique St. Louis and Rachel Bean had great nights in the paint and did things we've been wanting them to do all year long.

"We got to hit our free throws and late in the game, we've got to cut down our turnovers and play a complete game. But this team, we've grown a little bit. It was a loss, but we're still growing. I saw some good things."

Brandon saw Bean score 18 points while fellow post St. Louis scored 17, including 13 after halftime.

Lawson scored 22 points, Erica Roberts 13 and Amber Daniels 11, including a pair of three-pointers, for Siegel.

Comer supplied seven points, including a free throw which pulled Central into an 8-8 tie going into the second quarter.

Ashley Daniels dropped in a three at the halftime buzzer to bring Siegel into a 19-19 deadlock.

Baskets by Bean and St. Louis opened a 26-21 Lady Wildcat lead early in the third quarter before triples by Roberts and Ashley Daniels propelled Siegel back in front. A steal and layup by Amber Daniels opened a 33-29 Lady Star lead going into the fourth.

A three-point play by St. Louis and a basket by Bean put Central back in front 36-35. Comer sank two free throws following her steal for a 44-43 Lady Wildcat edge with 1:29 remaining.

A three by Lawson put Siegel up 46-44 with eight seconds left.

"One of these nights, we'll get rewarded for getting better," Brandon said.

Central will return to action Dec. 26 against West Greene in the Greeneville Ladies Bank Classic.

Third quarter dooms Devilettes

COOKEVILLE — A bad third quarter put Lebanon behind the eight-ball Tuesday night in a 56-45 loss to Cookeville.

A 17-8 third broke an 18-18 halftime tie and put Cookeville in control 35-26 as the Devilettes sank to 6-6.

"We just had a lapse in the third quarter and they took it to us," Lebanon coach Courtney McFarlin said.

Sydney Robinson led four Lady Cavaliers in double figures with 20 points, including a pair of three-pointers. Hannah Goolsby scored 16 and Sydney Marek and Karagan Turner 10 apiece.

Julia Fox and Madison Sloan each scored 11 for Lebanon while Abby Wright tossed in 10, Kelsey Yarbrough six, Sydney Floyd three and Scottlyn Elie and Morgan Bruce two apiece.

Lebanon will play in the Sonic Shootout at 3 p.m. Dec. 27 against Grainger County at White County's Roy Sewell Gym.

McClain loses at TSSAA Zion

COLUMBIA — McClain Christian got an up-close and personal look at a TSSAA school Tuesday night when the Lady Bulldogs lost at Zion Christian 58-35.

The Lady Eagles led 13-6 following the first quarter, 31-19 at halftime and 44-29 going into the fourth as the Lady Bulldogs dropped to 2-4.

"You can definitely tell a difference going from our little conference to Division II," McClain coach Darrin Reynolds said. "This was the best game our girls played this year. But it doesn't show when it counts."

Emily Gleaves and Catherine Upshaw each scored 11 points and Nikki DeMaio 10 for Zion.

Sydney Rice scored 17 points, Shelby Maxwell 16 and Victoria Walker two for McClain.

MCA will return to action Jan. 3 when the Lady Bulldogs return to their Immanuel Baptist Church court to take on Faith Trinity at 6 p.m. McClain had had to play home games at other sites in recent weeks while Immanuel's gym was undergoing renovations.

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