Champs avoid letdown bug

Jacob Carkuff (22) torched Forrest for 27 points. (T-G Photo by Danny Parker) [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo]

Cascade's boys must have had their vaccinations done over the weekend. After a rip-roaring five-point victory over reigning District 9-A champion Eagleville in their own house on Friday, the Champions appeared destined to take the floor with a bug bite for Monday night's affair with Forrest.

Jacob Carkuff sprayed his mates with 27 points worth of insecticide to help Cascade down the Rockets 53-43.

So, how does it feel to be undefeated in district play after four contests?

"Considering who we've played the last four days, it's pretty ded gum nice," Cascade coach Charlie Pope said.

The Champion general was quick to point out that it's a long season and 9-A is as balanced as it's been in quite some time.

"Our district's wide open. Anybody can beat anybody on a given night," he said.

"It's way too early to be patting ourselves on the back too much."

Carkuff broke a 9-all tie with field goal at the 2:21 mark of the first quarter and the Champs (6-4, 4-0) held on to the upper hand from then on despite several scoring spikes from the Rockets (3-6, 2-1).

Even though Carkuff headed up the scoring charge with his nine field goals and 9-of-12 effort at the foul line, it took a total team effort to hold off the feisty visitors.

"The kids are buying into their roles. We're getting good, quality minutes off the bench from guys," Pope said. "We're getting contributions from different guys, it's not just leaning on one guy."

Taylor McAnally took a key charge. Zack Hitchcock came up with a timely basket in the fourth quarter as the visitors were threatening. Jared Carkuff nailed an off-balance 3-pointer at the buzzer signaling the end of the third period.

Champion Gerald 'Happy' Johnson scores three the hard way after being fouled by Rocket Colin Henson. (T-G Photo by Danny Parker) [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo]

Forrest tallied six unanswered points in the fourth quarter to draw to within four, but Gerald "Happy" Johnson's basket with 3:35 to go ended the slight drought for Cascade and their lead would only grow from there.

Johnson grabbed seven rebounds and Jacob Carkuff hauled in six.

Ferris Perkins paced the Rockets with 12 points. Seth Brothers had 10.

The Champs were 14-for-20 at the charity stripe. Forrest sank 9-of-16.

Cascade faces the tournament host in the Culleoka Classic on Monday night at 8:30.

"I just want these guys to try to focus on getting better every day. If they'll do that, the wins and losses will handle themselves," Pope said.