Oakland depth wears out Blue Devils in Classic

From staff reports

In the first meeting between old rivals in several seasons, Oakland's boys used their superior depth to wear down Lebanon in the Modern Woodmen Fraternal Financial Thanksgiving Classic on Friday night at Campbell Brandon Gym/Hester Gibbs Court.

Oakland broke a 30-30 halftime tie with a 25-17 third quarter and the Patriots pulled away in the fourth to drop the Blue Devils to 0-3 in the teams' first meeting since Lebanon was moved from OHS' District 7-AAA to 9-AAA in 2008.

"Oakland played 12 guys," Lebanon coach Jim McDowell said. "They did a good job of pressuring the basketball. We got a little worn down in the second half.

"They hurt us on the offensive glass."

Kyle Oliver posted up for 20 points from inside while Devin Epps added 10 from the Patriot backcourt.

KeShawn Abston led Lebanon with 15 points while fellow guard Eddie McDaniels dropped in a pair of three-pointers on his way to 11. DaShawn McMurry and Zach Santana each added eight points, Zimmer Hunn five and Matthew Berry, J'Quan Jackson and Kadarian Garnett two apiece.

Lebanon will wrap up the Thanksgiving Classic tonight with an 8:30 p.m. game against Macon County, coached by former Blue Devil assistant Jason Welch.

Oakland will return for an early-morning tip [8:30 a.m.] against Antioch. Other boys' games include Riverdale against Smith County at 11:30 a.m., Page vs. Loretto at 2:30 p.m. and Watertown against Moore County at 5:30.

Antioch takes advantage of Devilette turnovers to hand Lebanon first loss

Antioch's girls used a big third quarter to overtake Lebanon 61-45 Friday night in the Modern Woodmen Fraternal Financial Thanksgiving Classic at Campbell Brandon Gym/Hester Gibbs Court.

The Devilettes overcame a 15-9 first-quarter deficit to grab a 27-22 halftime lead. But Antioch dominated the third period 19-4 to go up 41-31 and pulled away in the fourth to hand Lebanon its first loss after two opening wins.

Jenise Davis dropped in 19 points and fellow guard D'toria Fowler and post Christina Hill each had 13 for the Lady Bears, who scored 30 points off Lebanon turnovers in improving to 2-1.

"It was just our careless taking care of the ball," Lebanon coach Courtney McFarlin said.

Abby Wright knocked down 19 points from the post for Lebanon while Julia Fox threw in 13 from outside, Sydney Floyd seven and Madison Sloan six.

Lebanon will host Macon County at 7 p.m. tonight. Antioch will return today for a 10 a.m. tipoff against Smith County.

Other girls' games on tap for today include Grace Christian against Loretto at 1 p.m. and Page vs. Moore County at 4.