CHAPEL HILL -- Seth Jarrell cemented his status as the premier middle school player in this area with a triple-double performance to lead the Liberty Middle Patriots to their fifth World Tournament title in their last six appearances as they defeated host Forrest Middle 39-22 Saturday night.

Forrest point guard Taylor Gentry runs into some tough defense by Liberty posts Seth Jarrell and Rhett Perryman (33). (T-G Photo by Jimmy Jones) [Click to enlarge]

Jarrell accomplished his triple double the hard way as he posted 15 points, 14 blocked shots and 13 rebounds in a dominant effort by the eighth grader.

"We set the boys down before the game and challenged them to step up their defensive game," Patriot coach Chad Spencer said. "Every kid on this team came out with that mindset tonight. We challenged every shot tonight and made them earn every thing that they got the hard way.

"Seth was at the top of his game tonight. He was easily the best player on the floor from the opening whistle though Rhett (Perryman), Will (Finch), Trevor (Reed) and Kody (Phillips) were very impressive tonight."

The Patriot (10-2) defense owned the second and third quarters as they held the Rockets to just three points in each period to open a 26-10 lead going into the fourth frame.

Forrest (7-4) closed to within 12 in the fourth, but that was as close as they would get as Perryman, Reed and Finch combined for 10 of their team's 13 points in the quarter to finish any potential threat that the Rockets could muster.

"These kids love to play the game of basketball and it shows in many different ways. They get along well as a group and get together on their own just to shoot and just horse around.

"I am proud of this team; we are going to enjoy this one for a couple of days and then get right back after it. This championship was the result of a total team effort. Every kid on this team made it happen.

"Our fans were great tonight. They came ready and they let the other guys know that they were here from the very start. They helped keep the kids excited."

Jarrell and Perryman were named to the All-Tournament team in a vote of participating coaches.

Liberty travels to Moore County Middle tonight.

Champion Ryan Adcock splits a pair of Cougars with a pass to teammate Ryan Turner (30). (T-G Photo by Jimmy Jones) [Click to enlarge]

Middle Tennessee Christian 30, Cascade 29: In a battle for third place, the Champions and Cougars played the most exciting game of the tournament's final day, though it did not end the way the Bedford County kids would have liked as they lost on a last minute shot.

Both teams exchanged leads several times in the final two periods, but in the end the heroics of Cougar standout Thomas Park won out.

Jared Carkuff broke a 27-all tie with a jumper to put his team up by two with four seconds left before the Cougars took a timeout.

They put the ball in their playmaker's hands as Park dribbled unchallenged the length of the court, then stopped and popped a 3-pointer that drew nothing but net as the buzzer sounded to set off pandemonium on the floor as well as in the stands.

"Coach told me that if I could get it to halfcourt in three seconds that we might get a shot off," Parks said. "I am a very positive person so I thought that we could still win the game.

"I was very surprised that they just let me go up the court without really guarding me. I took a peek (at the clock) at halfcourt and saw that I could take another couple of dribbles. I did and just took the shot and it went in."

"Thomas is a scrappy kid," Cougar coach Jim Martin said. "They put their best athlete on the inbounds pass and Chris Beasley made a great pass to get the ball in. Parks beat one man off of the dribble and we double screened for him to free him up. I am not that surprised that he made the shot, but I am real proud to come out ahead in this game.

"It was a good win and we should be able to build off it the rest of the way."

Parks led all scorers with 21. He and teammate Clay McCarver were named to the All-Tournament squad by the coaches.

Cascade (5-7) was led by Trent Turner and Ryan Adcock with eight points apiece.

The Champs jumped out to an 8-4 lead after one, only to have the Cougars (7-4) come back to grab a 13-11 advantage heading into the locker room.

The Champs take a break until Jan. 8 when they visit Community Junior High.