Sloan leads Lebanon to 9-AAA semifinals

By Andy Reed

andy.reed@lebanondemocrat.com

After losing on Hester Gibbs Court to Hendersonville a few weeks ago, a different Lebanon team turned out in Campbell Brandon Gym for Thursday's District 9-AAA first-round rematch.

The results were different, too, as Lebanon got in the first blow and turned back a determined Lady Commando team 45-39.

Madison Sloan scored 22 points, sinking 6 of 8 free throws and all eight of her field-goal tries, to lead Lebanon. But it was Abby Wright who scored underneath following a steal with 45 seconds to play, breaking a 39-39 tie. Sloan and Julia Fox each flicked in a pair of foul shots to seal the Devilettes' trip to Saturday's 7 p.m. semifinal at Station Camp against Beech, a 55-42 winner over Gallatin on Thursday, with a 15-12 record.

"We had to set the tone," Lebanon coach Courtney McFarlin said after her Devilettes bought three more games with the victory. "This is our house and we have to play well at home and we had to get this win. I told the girls whatever is necessary and they pulled it out."

Taylor Wright racked up three 3-pointers as she and Joslyn Jarrett each threw in 11 points for Hendersonville. Wright's first three brought the Lady Commandos into an 8-8 tie after Lebanon leaped to a 6-1 start. But Fox scored on a runner and Sloan sank a pullup jumper for a 12-8 Lebanon lead at the first-quarter break.

A Sloan layup opened an 18-11 lead in the second quarter before Hendersonville rallied. Courtney Glover's three in the final minute of the first half gave the Lady Commandos their first lead of the game 21-20.

Wright opened the second half with another triple for a 24-20 lead before Lebanon scored the next 13 points to close the third quarter ahead 33-24 as Sloan scored nine during the period.

Hendersonville whittled the lead in the fourth quarter with Wright's third triple tying the score 39-39 with 1:51 left.

"The key was getting the ball inside," McFarlin said. "Madison was taking it inside. We had a couple of layups. We got them in some foul trouble. We hit our free throws [10-of-15]."

Wright scored six points while Kristen Dedman, Kelsey Yarbrough and Scottlyn Elie each added two. Elie led Lebanon with seven rebounds off the bench.

While Hendersonville's season is over at 11-12, Lebanon will be playing for a first-round Region 5-AAA home game [to be played next Friday] on Saturday.

"Our ultimate goal was to get into the region, and now we're looking to run for a district championship," McFarlin said. "We have three more games guaranteed. We're just looking to survive and advance."

Station Camp races past, ousts Central

GLADEVILLE — Wilson Central couldn't keep up with Station Camp's end-to-end pace Thursday night as the Lady Bison ended the Lady Wildcats' season 71-57 in the opening round of the District 9-AAA tournament.

The Lady Bison led 17-11 following the first quarter, 35-22 at halftime and 51-31 through three as, behind Savannah Keele's 29 points, Station Camp moved to 20-9 for the season and into Saturday's 4 p.m. semifinal against top-seed Mt. Juliet at SCHS.

Central's season is over at 12-13. It's the first time the Lady Wildcats have missed the region since the school's first season, 2002. It's also the first losing season of Coach Bud Brandon's career, which dates to the mid-1980s at Carroll-Oakland and covers WCHS' 12 years.

"It has been a rough year," said Brandon, who's taken his Lady Wildcats to five State Tournaments with two championships. "But we had some kids get better through the year. A lot of positive things will hopefully come out of the year. We had a lot of adversity we haven't had here.

"We lost a lot of close games we should have won."

Alli Fulcher fired in 14 points and Janasia Williams 13 for Station Camp, which lost both regular-season meetings to Central.

"To beat Station Camp, you've got to handle the pressure, and we didn't do that in the first half," said Brandon, whose Lady Wildcats were without senior forward Rachel Bean, who tore her ACL last Friday at Mt. Juliet.

Autumn Hopkins led the Lady Wildcats with 18 points while fellow guard Kendall Spray tossed in 12. Dominique St. Louis scored six, Hailey Averitt five, Sydney Comer and Megan Kurth four each and Rachel Burkett, Hannah Brewer, Kristen Kurth and Kayla Jackson two apiece.

Gordonsville roars past Watertown in 8A semis

HARTSVILLE — Top-seeded Gordonsville seized control of Thursday's District 8-A semifinal early and sent Watertown to the consolation game with a 65-40 victory at Trousdale County.

Gordonsville led 19-7 following the first quarter, 31-14 at halftime and 53-22 through three as the Tigerettes advanced with a 19-9 record into Monday's 7:30 p.m. title game against Friendship Christian.

Watertown fell to 14-16 and will take on host Trousdale County in Monday's 6 p.m. consolation contest. The Purple Tigerettes were already in the Region 4-A tournament, but will now have to play a first-round game on the road before the rest of the tourney shifts to WHS, with or without the home team.

Allie Green notched 19 points and Paige Lohorn 15 as each sank three of Gordonsville's eight three-pointers. Charli Vaden added 11.

Alicia Jennings tossed in two of Watertown's four triples in leading the Tigerettes with 21 points. Kirstin Vantrease scored seven points, Bay Cole six, Jenna Haun a three, Jasmine High two and Shelby Hamlet a free throw.

Big second quarter sends Friendship to 8-A finals

HARTSVILLE — Friendship Christian pitched a second-quarter shutout Thursday night as the Lady Commanders blew out host Trousdale County 61-30 in the District 8-A semifinals.

The Lady Commanders' 17-0 second period turned a 12-8 edge into a 29-8 halftime blowout as they advanced to Monday's 7:30 p.m. championship game against Gordonsville with a 17-7 record. Friendship also bought a first-round home game next Friday in the Region 4-A tournament at the Bay Family Sportsplex.

Center Deja Jones led the Lady Commanders with 18 points while point guard Kristian Watkins finished with 15 and forward Kaitlyn Teeter 12. Aubrey Hawks hit a pair of three-pointers for her six while Brianna Stovall finished with four and Taylor Patterson, Courtney Petty and Rebecca Pettross two each.

Sydney Shoulders scored 11 to lead the Lady Jackets, who will take on Watertown in Monday's 6 p.m. third-place contest.

Lady Bears blank Portland in third quarter, advance to 9-AAA semis

MT. JULIET — Top-seeded Mt. Juliet had little problem with Portland in a 53-22 first-round triumph in the District 9-AAA tournament Thursday night.

The Lady Bears led 10-7 following the first quarter and 23-13 at halftime before pitching a 19-0 shutout in the third to blow the game open as they improved to 20-8.

Mt. Juliet will face host Station Camp at 4 p.m. Saturday in the semifinals with the winner hosting a Region 5-AAA first-round game next Friday.

Forward Ronjanae DeGray led the Lady Bears with 21 points while center Sally McCabe added 18. Karly Dyer and Tyia Waller each finished with five and Raeyana DeGray four.

No one scored in double figures for Portland.

Fox's double-double leads McClain boys to homecoming win

McClain Christian's boys celebrated homecoming Thursday night with a 54-36 defeat of Daniel I Academy at Immanuel Baptist Church.

Brandon Fox totaled 27 points, 10 rebounds and five assists for McClain while Weston Rountree racked up 14 rebounds.

"Our second half tonight was excellent, especially closing the fourth quarter by holding them to two points," McClain coach Tony McLeod said. "Weston Rountree's activity on defense and the boards was also key. Cameron Harris and Eli Shouse were great on defense."