Wildcats roar past DeKalb for Sun Drop title

Williams named tournament MVP

From staff reports

MCMINNVILLE — Wilson Central's boys will go into a brief Christmas break as champions of the Sun Drop Romp following a 59-49 defeat of DeKalb County at Warren County.

The Wildcats led 21-16 following the first quarter and 30-26 at halftime before blowing it open to 52-35 going into the fourth as they climbed to 10-3 for the season.

"Our kids played well," Wildcat coach Troy Bond said. "We did a good job on the boards and defensively."

Tournament Most Valuable Player Jacob Williams led Central with 24 points, including three 3-pointers. Ban Palmer powered in 18 points from inside and guard Blake Huffman nine as both were named to the all-tournament team. Matthew Hall and Preston Reed each finished with four.

Braxton Atnip knocked down a pair of threes as he led DeKalb County with 20 points while Sonni Fullilove finished with 14 as the Tigers slipped to 13-3.

After a short holiday break, the Wildcats will be off to Knoxville for the Super 16 Tournament at Bearden. The Wildcats will open at 7 p.m. CST Thursday against Carter.

"That's one of the bigger tournaments in Tennessee," Bond said. "It's a good opportunity for our kids to play good competition."

Lady Bears succumb to Columbia

MT. JULIET — A night after losing in overtime to a young, athletic Blackman team, Mt. Juliet's girls lost to a veteran athletic Columbia squad 48-35 Saturday night in the Chick-fil-A Classic.

The Lady Lions led 10-8 following the first quarter. Mt. Juliet stayed within 23-22 at halftime and 36-30 going into the fourth before Columbia closed out the game with a 12-5 fourth as the Lady Bears slipped to 7-4.

Makayla Timmons tossed in three 3-pointers in leading the Lady Lions with 15 points while Keiana Gilbert notched nine as Columbia climbed to 9-3.

Sally McCabe led the Lady Bears with 17 points in the post. Twins Raeyana and Ronjanae DeGray each dropped in four points; Ashley Roby, Savannah Sanders and Tyia Waller three apiece and Summer Adams a free throw.

Mt. Juliet will travel to upper East Tennessee on Wednesday for the Landair Ladies' Classic at Greeneville's Hal Henard Hall. The Lady Bears will open against Morristown West at 10:30 a.m. CST.

Wilson Central will also play in the tournament, opening at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday against West Greene. The neighboring rivals are in opposite brackets and if they meet, it will be Saturday.

Warriors wear out Mt. Juliet boys

MT. JULIET — Mt. Juliet's boys weren't much match for Hunters Lane in a 57-43 loss Saturday night to wrap up the Chick-fil-A Classic.

The Warriors fired out to a 9-4 first-quarter lead and widened it to 24-15 at halftime and 38-21 through three before the Golden Bears won the fourth 22-19 in slipping to 7-4.

Raymond Newsom's 14 points paced Hunters Lane while Kevaughn Russell tossed in 12 and Daquan Nunn 10.

Daniel Schroder's 11 points paced Mt. Juliet while Nolan Chowbay notched nine, Thomas Sharpe six on a pair of three-pointers, Hunter Gilbert and Reagan Johnson five each, James Womack four and John Mark Bell a three.

Following a short Christmas break, the Bears will be right back at it in the Father Ryan Tournament, opening with a 6:15 p.m. tipoff against Signal Mountain on Thursday.

Tigerettes fall in KSA final

ORLANDO, Fla. — Watertown's girls fell behind in the first quarter and lost to Alan C. Pope 43-32 Saturday in the finals of the KSA Events Tournament at the Disney ESPN Sports Complex.

The Marietta, Ga.-based Greyhounds led 14-8 following the first quarter, 26-15 and 34-21 going into the fourth as the Tigerettes returned home with a 7-5 record.

Bobbi Staats' 16 points from the post paced the Tigerettes. Alicia Jennings scored seven points, Katie Dalton four, Bay Cole three and Kirstin Vantrease two.

Watertown will host its Christmas Tournament beginning Thursday and running through Saturday. Both WHS teams will open against Davidson Academy with the girls tipping off at 7 p.m. and the boys at 8:30.

Win or lose, the girls will face either Cheatham County or Trousdale County on Friday. Page, Westmoreland, Cascade and Gordonsville await in the other bracket for Saturday.

On the boys' side, Watertown and Davidson will face either Page or Chattanooga Arts & Sciences on Friday. Gordonsville, Cascade, Cheathan County and Gabriel Christian await in the other bracket for Saturday.