MURFREESBORO -- Cascade sprinted out of the gates with an early 9-0 lead and never let up en route to a 59-46 District 9-A win over host Middle Tennessee Christian on Friday night.

The Champions currently rest at No. 3 in District 9-A with an 8-4 record. If Van Buren County wins at second-place Eagleville on Tuesday, they force a tie.

Champion point guard Stefin Reed dips under Cougar Leif Kixsmiller. (T-G Photo by Danny Parker) [Click to enlarge]

The district tournament begins on Friday in Spencer.

Cascade coach Charlie Pope hopes to use their three-game district winning streak as a springboard into the postseason.

"It's huge to end the district season on a win streak and put back-to-back road wins together. That's something that this young team needs to hang their hat on. Playing in two hostile environments, they come out with two road wins."

A quartet of double-figure scorers kept the Middle Tennessee Christian defense from zeroing in on any one Champion.

Alex Craig nailed three 3-pointers and totaled 14 points for Cascade (16-7). Brandon Hall also had 14, including 5-of-8 free throws. Seth Day and Stefin Reed added 11 points apiece.

Leif Kixsmiller led the Cougars (11-18, 4-8 in 9-A) with 10 points.

"We're playing pretty well and have balanced scoring," Pope said. "We're not having to rely on one guy and our defense is stepping up.

"Aaron Mankin is probably going to be an all-district pick for them and we held him to four (points) and he was averaging close to 20 a game. Ryan Morton and Cory Phillips both did an excellent job on him."

The Champs led 17-11 after a quarter and 30-16 at halftime.

"Our bench played great in the second quarter. That's what you want to have happen about this time of year."

Reed's basket at the 2:16 mark of the third stanza increased his team's upper hand to 17 at 42-25.

Middle Tennessee Christian countered with a 7-0 run before Hall hit a layup to put Cascade up 44-32 heading into the fourth frame.

"They made us a little uncomfortable in the third quarter, a little closer than I would have liked it to have been," Pope said. "I was thinking that we could stretch that (lead) out a little more, but they're another team that has some seniors. They've got some pride about them. They wanted to avenge that loss at our place.

"I knew they could make a run at us. I just didn't know how much and how long."

The Champs close out their regular season against Marion County in Wartace on Monday night.

"We'd like to work on some things and play some more people," Pope said. "Of course we want to win first. We'll do whatever we've got to do to try and get that 'W.' We'll really have to get down and guard. They're a AA school."

Cascade won 56-43 over Marion County in the first game of their tournament just before Christmas.

"They'll be looking to return the favor, I am sure."