Post Photo by Rickey Clardy Maki Fleming goes high and scores for the Vikings.
By RICKEY CLARDY
Sports Writer
UNIONVILLE — The Community Vikings erased a 12-point halftime deficit to tie the game against the Cannon County Lions in the final two minutes, but the Lions used a five-point possession to reclaim the lead for good as the Vikings fell to the district leaders 58-52 in a District 9-AA contest Wednesday night.
It was a struggle for Community (9-13, 1-3) to score points in the first half.
Landon Lovvorn led the Vikings with four points in the opening quarter, but the Lions took a 9-point lead before Maki Fleming drilled a trey at the buzzer for Community to cut the Lion lead to 15-9 heading to the second quarter.
The Vikings could only net five points in the quarter and went scoreless for the final 3:55 as Cannon County took a 26-14 lead to the intermission.
With the Viking offense reaching another gear in the third quarter, Community was able to cut into the Lion advantage.
Austin Stickler led the Vikings with eight points while Charlie Haskins added six free throws as Community outscored the Lions 22-18 and cut the Cannon County lead to 44-36 with one quarter to play.
Stickler, Haskins, Lovvorn, and Landon Berman each scored four points as the Vikings mounted their comeback.
The Vikings held the Lions scoreless for over three minutes while a 6-0 Community run tied the game at 48-48 with 1:55 remaining.
But Cannon County used a field goal and a trey off a free throw miss to score five points on its ensuing possession as the Lions regained the lead at 53-48 with 1:32 left.
The Vikings clawed back to get within 55-52 and had possession with 27 seconds remaining, but a turnover kept Community from getting closer as the Lions pulled away for the 6-point win.
Demaurion Lock had 18 points to lead three Lions in double figures.
Theo Winters added 13 points while Lukas Phillips added 12.
Stickler led three Vikings in double figures with 16 points.
Lovvorn had 13 points while Haskins added 10.
Cannon County was 6-of-12 at the free throw line while the Vikings were an impressive 14-of-16.
Community continues District 9-AA play with a home game against Forrest Friday night.
Game time is 7:30 p.m.
Cannon Co. 15 11 18 14 — 58
Community 9 5 22 16 — 52
Cannon Co.: Demaurion Lock 18, Theo Winters 13, Lukas Phillips 12, Eli Pelham 8, AJ Armstong 7, Eli Garrett, Carson Farrar.
Community: Austin Stickler 16, Landon Lovvorn 13, Charlie Haskins 10, Landon Berman 8, Maki Fleming 5, Joshua Powers, Judd O’Neal, Moe Berman, Johnathon Lawwell.
3-Point goals: Cannon Co. (8): Lock 2, Winters 2, Phillips 2, Pelham, Armstrong; Community (2): Haskins, Fleming.
Halftime score: Cannon Co. 26, Community 14.
