Lady Champs make statement to future 10-A foe

Shelby Nelson searches for an open teammate against Huntland during the Culleoka Classic. (T-G Photo by Mary Beth Gunn) [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo]

CULLEOKA -- The Cascade Lady Champions took on Huntland Tuesday night for what proved to be the beginning of a rekindled rivalry. Next season both teams both move into District 10-A.

Cascade took the first meeting of the year, toppling Huntland 51-41 and improving their record to 8-4.

"I think that's why our girls came out a little more fired up than we did last night," Cascade coach Chad Spencer said. "They will be in our district next year. It will start that rivalry back up. They have a good team so there should be some good games to come."

At the end of the first quarter, Cascade asserted their authority by going on a shooting spree. With 2:40 left in the first, they went on a 12-0 run to push ahead 25-12 into the second quarter. Huntland's Tia Sullenger was their lone scorer in the first quarter with 12 points and their highest scorer overall with 22 points.

"Tia Sullenger is a really good player and we knew that coming in," Spencer said. "We did some research and found out that she is their leading scorer and we had to make some adjustments to make sure we covered her."

Cascade held their nine-point lead all the way till the end of the second quarter. All five of Cascade's starters scored in the first half to give the Champions a 32-23 advantage over the Hornets.

Then the girls hit a lull in the third and only scored five points, while letting Huntland gain 10. This cut Cascade's lead down to 37-33 at the end of the third.

"We shut (Sullenger) down for the most part in the third quarter and then we let one of their girls on the wing get hot. But we changed our defense up in the fourth and that made all the difference."

Cascade held Huntland to eight points in the fourth while adding 14 to their own score. M.K. Potts, Tiffany Gibbs, Shelby Nelson, and Megan McBee all pitched in during the fourth to hold Cascade's lead and finish off the Lady Hornets.

Potts led the Champions with 15 points and 10 rebounds, while Millie Carter provided three 3-pointers.

The Lady Champions continue play after the holiday with a District 9-A matchup at Community on Jan. 6. Tip-off is at 6 p.m.