Strong start lifts Vikings over Champions in 9-AA consolation game.

Strong start lifts Vikings over Champions in 9-AA consolation game.

SHAWN DIGIANFELICE – Sportswriter

WARTRACE – A 12-0 run to start the game for the Community Vikings proved to be to much to overcome for the Cascade Champions, as the Vikings took a 60-38 victory over the Champions in the district 9-AA consolation game at Cascade Saturday afternoon. It was all Vikings from the start as Community jumped ahead 2-0 with 6:09 to go in the first on a basket by Josh Powers. Shots made by Jaxson Williams, Johnathon Lawwell, Charlie Haskins, and three pointer Andrew Tocchio, in which he would be fouled and add the foul shot for a four point play would put the Vikings in control early as they led 12-0 with 3:31 remaining in the opening quarter. Tristin Billings would put Cascade on the board at the 3:13 mark to make it 12-2. Lawwell would add another basket to extend the lead back to 12. Billings would nail a three to make it 14-5 Billings would immediately score again and be fouled. He missed the free throw keeping it 14-7 Community with 2:20 left. A basket by Karson Boyce followed by a three pointer by Maysn Hill would push the Vikings lead to 19-7 with 1:28 remaining. Kaleb Kelso and Tyler Barrett would each make one of two free throws with less than a minute to go, cutting Community’s lead to 19-9 to end the period. The Vikings would put the game out of reach in the second quarter out scoring the Champions 18-5 to take a 37-14 advantage at intermission. Community would score the first two baskets in the third frame both by Haskins to extend the lead to 41-17. Cascade would then go on a 11-0 run with Cooper McElroy scoring nine straight, including to three pointers along with a basket and foul to make another three point possession. McElroy would score nine of his eleven points in the game during this one minute span. Two more baskets by Haskins followed by two made free throws by Cascade’s Henry Stone would leave Community taking a 45-29 lead into the final stanza. With the game well in hand, the Vikings outscored the Champions 15-9 in the last eight minutes to take claim to a 60-38 victory and a third place finish in the district 9-AA tournament. Cascade coach Douglas Worsley was complementary of Community following the game. “Community came in with a great game plan and executed it very well” Worsley said. “We have some time to recover from playing back to back games and get ready for the regional tournament.” Community coach Hunter Ferrell was happy with the way his guys responded after a tough loss on Friday night to Loretto. “With both teams losing tough games last night and then turning around and having to try to win a game today, I was really just proud of our guys effort. I told him that we needed to be the hardest playing team and that needed to be evident to everybody that watched us and they answered the bell. “ Ferrell concluded. Copper McElroy led Cascade with eleven points. Charlie Haskins led Vikings pouring in twenty eight points for Community. Both teams will travel next Saturday for the first round of the regional tournament. Cascade will head to district 10-AA champion Hickman County with Community making the trip to district 10-AA runner up Lewis County.

Community: 19-18-8-15– 60

Cascade         9-5- 15-9— 38

Community: Johnathon Lawwell-6, Charlie Haskins-28, Jaxon Williams-2, Josh Powers-9, Masyn Hill-3, Cordell Dukes-2, Andrew Tocchio-4, Karson Boyce-6, Reed, Leathers, Thompson, Hensel.

Cascade: Tristin Billings-7, Kaleb Kelso-12, Henry Stone-2, Isaiah Taylor-3, Cooper McElroy-11, Micah Jones-2, Tyler Barrett-1, Swaggerty, Gullick, Watson, Clay, Wood, Pilkington, Beasley, Rodgers.

Three point baskets: Community: 5- Haskins 1, Powers 2, Hill 1, Tocchio 1. Cascade: 3- Billings 1, McElroy 2.

Halftime score: Community 37 Cascade 14

Records: Community 17-11 Cascade 15-13