Coach Jim Fitzpatrick's Webb Middle team gave him the best start to the new year that they possibly could have by defeating Middle Tennessee Christian 30-24 Thursday night in Bell Buckle.

Webb (1-9) allowed the Cougars a 12-11 first-quarter lead.

The Feet defense took over from there, holding Middle Tennessee Christian (8-7) to just 12 points the rest of the way.

"We shot the ball really well tonight," Fitzpatrick said. "We hit shots that we have been missing up until this point of the season and our defense was outstanding in this game.

"MTCS has built a very good program over there and we were very fortunate to beat them. It's good to get the first win under our belt."

The teams battled to a 15-all tie after two periods and Webb held a narrow 21-20 lead after three.

Drew Miller stuck a clutch 3-pointer and hit a pair of free throws and Cham Cham Quao netted four points as they scored all the Feet's points in the final stanza.

"I am just really proud of our kids," Fitzpatrick said. "We have played well enough to win on several occasions and weren't able to close out the games. I think we just may have learned how to do that tonight."

Quao led both squads in scoring with 14 points despite some excellent one-on-one defense by Cougar R.J. Miller. Drew Miller added nine points for Webb.

"R.J. Miller is an excellent athlete that will one day very soon be an outstanding basketball player," Cougar coach Lynn Watson said. "He did a good job defensively on their playmaker and that opened up some opportunities for us on the other side of the ball.

"We just weren't able to hit shots tonight that we normally make. We had good looks at the basket, the ball just wouldn't fall for us. Our guys played hard from start to finish. We just didn't get it done tonight."

Webb Middle's Elizabeth Lawrence shoots over Cougar defenders Sara Sims (20) and Madison Waldron. (T-G Photo by Jimmy Jones) [Click to enlarge]

MTC 32, Webb 17 (G): The Lady Cougars scored the first 12 points to take a 12-2 lead into the second quarter. Both teams put four points apiece on the board as Webb found themselves down 16-6 at intermission.

"We haven't played in about 17 days and it really showed out there tonight," Webb coach Ricky Dycus said. "We only practiced one time before this game and though it was a very productive session, it simply was not enough after such a long layoff.

"We did a lot of good things well out there, especially breaking the press, and we continue to show improvement with each outing."

The Lady Cougars shut the Lady Feet (3-7) out in the third quarter to take a 28-6 lead before emptying their bench the rest of the way.

Webb outscored the visitors 11-4 from that point on, but it would not be enough to dig themselves out of the early deficit.

"We finished out the game on a positive note," Dycus said. "I am pleased that we continued to play hard. Give the other team credit, they are having an outstanding season and they are a very deep team.

"They are a handful on any given night. We practiced hard on beating the press and the kids applied what they learned in this game tonight. I see us maturing and growing as a team and as individuals. That is what it is all about."

Brooke Miller led the Lady Cougars with eight points in very limited minutes.

Elizabeth Lawerence had game-high honors for the Lady Feet with seven.