Laina Carter presses the ball across half court and sets up the Lady Champion offense. She finished with 12 points in Cascade’s win over Cornersville. (Post Photo by Chris Siers)
By CHRIS SIERS
csiers@bedfordcountypost.com
BELL BUCKLE — The Cascade Lady Champions relied on a suffocating press and claimed a dominant, 56-35 victory in the season opener on Tuesday night against Cornersville.
Not much went against Cascade went against in the season debut.
After a cat-and-mouse first quarter ended with a 12-8 Lady Champion lead, Cascade’s defense completely took over and dominated the Lady ‘Dawgs in the second period.
Cornersville managed two made shots from the floor in the second, while Cascade was able to successfully set up its press after made shots.
Four different Lady Champions penciled their name in the scoring column in the second as the Lady Champion lead ballooned to 16 points by halftime.
Not much changed after halftime.
With the Cascade defense keying on Cornersville’s Ady Gentry, the Lady ‘Dawgs struggled to find support on the offensive end of the court.
Meanwhile, Cascade’s balance continued to grow the lead for the home squad.
A 3-pointer by Kaegan Young from the top of the key with 4:13 left in the third marked the first of three-straight possessions that ended in treys for Cascade.
Laina Carter and Lizzie Keele followed with made 3-pointers to help Cascade grow its lead to 41-21 with 2:58 left in the period.
With the lead well in hand, Cascade was able to work the reserves onto the floor and maintain the double-digit lead to lock down the first win of the season.
Young led all scorers with 14 points, while Carter also finished in double figures with 12 points.
Seniors Sophie Ray and Kaydence Miller both finished with eight points on the night as well.
Cascade finished 12-of-20 tries from the line for the night, with Caroline Parker shooting 5-of-6 in the fourth.
Cascade will be on the road on Thursday night at Huntland.
Cornersville 8 6 11 10 — 35
Cascade 12 18 17 9 — 56
Cornersville: Ady Gentry 16, Faithe Eguia 7, Sara Kate Walker 4, Abigail Finley 4, Camille Franklin 2, Annamarie Cooper 2.
Cascade: Kaegan Young 14, Laina Carter 12, Sophie Ray 8, Kaydence Miller 8, Caroline Parker 5, Lexi Comstock 4, Lizzie Keele 3.
3-Point goals: Cascade (6): Carter 2, Miller 2, Young, Comstock.
Halftime score: Cascade 30, Cornersville 14.
