Tigers succumb to Owls in OT

CARTHAGE — Watertown surrendered a fourth-quarter lead Thursday night before succumbing to host Smith County 60-57 in overtime.
The Purple Tigers led 16-10 following the first quarter, trailed 29-26 at halftime and reclaimed the advantage 42-37 going into the fourth before going into overtime tied 55-55.
"We didn't play defense as well as we had been," Watertown assistant coach T.J. Hewitt said after the Purple Tigers fell to a regular season-final 7-17. "But we executed our offense pretty good until it got close to the end."
Point guard Chris Nixon tossed in 21 points for Smith County while backcourt partner Will Wakefield threw in three 3-pointers on his way to 16 and center Josh Dennis dropped in 10 as the Owls sank 18 of 35 free throws.
Aaron Fountain poured in three triples on his way to 16 points for the Purple Tigers while center John Kneisel flipped in 14 and forward Dalton Phillips 12. Justin Breece tossed in two triples on his way to eight while Nick Lennox finished with four and Levi Tschaekofske three as Watertown made 10 of 17 from the free-throw line.
The Tigers finished seventh in District 8-A and will go to No. 2 Gordonsville next Thursday in the tournament opener with the winner advancing to the semifinals at Gordonsville and the Region 4-A tournament.
"We're getting close enough to beating some pretty good people," Hewitt said. "We just got to learn how to win and then the sky's the limit."

Saints march past White House Christian
MT. JULIET — Mt. Juliet Christian breezed to a 57-28 trouncing of White House Christian on Thursday night.
The Saints led 12-6 following the first quarter and 27-8 at halftime as they improved to 12-15 with a home game remaining Monday with Curry-Ingram before the District 8-A tournament opens next Thursday, probably at Trousdale County.
Victor Underwood dropped in 18 points for Mt. Juliet Christian while Austin Wortman threw in three 3-pointers on his way to 11. Devon Bradshaw added eight while Bryce Middleton scored seven, Zach Womble and Dillon Bradshaw four each, Tyler Holloway three and Blake Marsh two.