Post Photo by Rickey Clardy Isaac McElroy of the Champions drives to the basket. McElroy had 36 points in the Cascade win.
Post Photo by Rickey Clardy Charlie Haskins of the Vikings scores from close range. Haskins had 10 points for Community.
By RICKEY CLARDY
Sports Writer
BELL BUCKLE — It might have been a game for third place in the District 9-AA tournament, but there was no lack of intensity as the Cascade Champions and Community Vikings battled on the hardwood for 32 minutes Friday night.
In the end, the Vikings had no answer for Isaac McElroy as the Champion senior accounted for 36 points, including a go-ahead three-pointer with 1:50 left as the Champs withstood a fourth quarter Viking rally and took a 69-61 win.
McElroy had nine points in the opening quarter while Saebyn Burris added six as Cascade (12-16) was aggressive to the basket and scored their first six points of the game from the free throw line.
Maki Fleming and Austin Stickler each had four points for Community (12-16) as Cascade took a 20-17 lead to the second quarter.
The McElroy-Burris combination continued in the quarter as the Champs added to their lead.
McElroy had seven points while Burris netted five as Cascade increased its lead to 35-29 at the intermission.
Landon Lovvorn of the Vikings had five points in the third quarter as Community stayed within striking distance, but it was McElroy who continued to have the hot hand.
McElroy had nine of the Champion 13 points as Cascade took a 48-42 lead to the fourth quarter.
With Landon Berman and Charlie Haskins each scoring six points, the Vikings increased their intensity and tied the game at 54-54 with 4:53 remaining.
The contest was tied at 58-58 as both teams traded baskets before McElroy stepped up in big fashion with his third trey of the game to put the Champions up 61-58.
The Vikings were not through and twice cut the Champion lead to two in the final minute.
But McElroy, who had 13 points in the quarter, connected on four free throws down the stretch while Henry Stone added two foul shots as the Champs extended their winning margin to eight.
In addition to McElroy’s 36 points, Burris added 13 points while Tyler Rodgers had 10, as the trio combined for 59 of the Champion 69 points.
Lovvorn and Berman led the Vikings with 11 points each while Haskins had 10.
The Champions finished 15-of-21 at the free throw line while the Vikings were 8-of-14.
The Champions and Vikings will both be on the road next weekend in their opening games of the Region 5-AA tournament and will await the District 10-AA championship game between Loretto and Summertown to see who their opponents will be.
Community will play the winner of the Loretto-Summertown game while Cascade will play the loser.
Cascade 20 15 13 21 — 69
Community 17 12 13 19 — 61
Cascade: Isaac McElroy 36, Saebyn Burris 13, Tyler Rodgers 10, Henry Stone 6, Zach Crosslin 2, Tucker McGee 2, Logan Pulley, Caden Hammonds.
Community: Landon Lovvorn 11, Landon Berman 11, Charlie Haskins 10, Maki Fleming 9, Austin Stickler 8, Judd O’Neal 7, Jaxon Williams 5, Johnathon Lawwell, Joshua Powers, Moe Berman.
3-Point goals: Cascade (6): McElroy 3, Rodgers 2, Burris; Community (3): Lovvorn, O’Neal, Williams.
Halftime score: Cascade 35, Community 29.
