Lady Champions outlast county rival Viqueens

Lady Champion M.K. Potts soars for two in the lane over Community's Courtney Vassar in district action Tuesday night. (T-G Photo by Jimmy Jones) [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo]

The gym was rocking in Unionville with a near capacity crowd on hand for a District 9-A clash between Community and Cascade on Tuesday evening. The teams did not disappoint.

The Lady Champs prevailed with clutch shooting and a very physical defense in their come-from-behind 54-47 win to claim their first win over Community in the past several tries.

The two teams started a little slowly as the defenses outplayed the offenses in the opening quarter, which closed with the Lady Champions ahead 9-7.

Millie Carter and Shelby Nelson hit 3-pointers in the second period to key six unanswered points, but the Viqueens struck back with 3-pointers by Marissa Jones, Aubrey Boyce and Jessica Thompson to take a 27-21 advantage at the intermission.

The Lady Champions (10-4, 4-1, 9-A) defense went to work in the third period and held the Purple and Gold to just four baskets while their offense caught fire behind four 3-pointers from Carter and Nelson to post a 39-37 lead to begin the fourth period.

"I was pleased with the way we played up until the fourth quarter," Community coach Allison Layne said. "The game got away from us in the last eight minutes when we missed some easy shot opportunities and seemed to lose our focus a little bit."

The two teams played evenly throughout the period until a basket by Tiffany Gibbs put the visitors ahead at the 3:31 mark.

Megan Busbee hit two quick baskets for the Viqueens (8-6, 1-5) to reclaim the lead moments later but Nelson hammered home a long shot from beyond the arc to put the Lady Champions ahead to stay with 1:12 to play.

Gibbs hit four free throws down the stretch to nail down the victory and make the short bus ride home a joyous occasion for the Orange and Black contingent.

"I told the girls coming in that we could not take Community lightly because of their district record," Cascade coach Chad Spencer said. "Some of their losses were just a basket or two away from being wins and they always play us hard.

"I was proud of our kids for playing hard even though we didn't always play as well as we are capable. Shelby and Millie shot the ball real well for us and we had some youngsters step up tonight when they were called on.

Heather Small attempts to get off a shot despite the defensive effort of Cascade's Millie Carter. (T-G Photo by Jimmy Jones) [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo]

"Jessica Popp gave us a boost with a big offensive rebound and put back and Megan Mcbee gave us some quality minutes.

Cascade placed three players in double figures with Nelson and Gibbs totaling 14 each. Carter had 12, all from 3-point land.

The Viqueens' Jones continues to blossom offensively with 13 points to compliment 10 rounds for her second double-double of the season.

Thompson and Boyce added 10 points apiece to the Community effort.

Community connected on 11-of-17 from the line while Cascade shot 6-of-17.

Community welcomes Webb on Saturday. Homecoming ceremonies begin at 5:15 p.m.

Cascade travels to Murfreesboro for a contest with Middle Tennessee Christian on Friday at 6 p.m.