Kaleb Kelso grins as he steps to the line for a free throw attempt. He finished with 14 points for Cascade. (Post Photo by Chris Siers)
By CHRIS SIERS
csiers@bedfordcountypost.com
BELL BUCKLE — After trailing by nine following the first quarter, the Cascade Champions rallied to cut the Cannon County lead to three points by halftime on Friday night.
Despite rallying to outscore Cannon County 23-18 in the fourth, Cascade just couldn’t get enough stops in the fourth quarter as the Lions escaped Bell Buckle with a 72-68 win over the Champs.
Cannon County burst out of the gates and spread 24 points among five players in the first quarter, while Cascade, although sluggish to start, eventually settled in and was able to create a bit of a spark in the perimeter attack.
In total, Cascade banked 11 3-pointers and got an early spark with three falling in the first quarter.
Still, Cannon County led 24-15 after the first.
In the second quarter, Kaleb Kelso made good on seven points, but it was Tyler Rogers who scored 10 of his team-high 21 points in the quarter.
In total, Rogers accounted for five of Cascade’s total 11 three-pointers and by halftime, the Lions’ lead had dwindled to just three points.
After finding its traction in the second quarter, the Champion offense hit a bit of a roadblock in the third quarter and only mustered up nine points, while Cannon County was able to push its lead back to nine points by the end of the third period.
But even trailing by nine late, Rogers connected on a pair of fourth-quarter 3-pointers and Cooper McElroy was able to battle his way to the line where he cashed in on 4-of-5 free throw attempts in the quarter.
Jaxon Gulick and Kelso also connected on 3-pointers in the final quarter as well.
But it was Cannon County who was able to make the most of its time at the charity stripe and held on for the four-point win by sinking 7-of-9 free throws in the final quarter.
Rogers’ 21 points was a team-best for Cascade, while Henry Stone and Kelso both chipped in 14 apiece.
Cannon Co. 24 15 15 18 — 72
Cascade 15 21 9 23 — 68
Cascade: Tyler Rogers 21, Henry Stone 14, Kaleb Kelso 14, Jaxon Gulick 5, Noah Watson 5, Cooper McElroy 4, Tyler Barrett 3, Ryder Pilkington 2.
3-Point goals: Cascade (11): Rogers 5, Kelson 2, Gulick, Watson, Stone, Barrett.
Halftime score: Cannon Co. 39, Cascade 36.