Champs down MTC in OT, claim 9-A title

A 22-point fourth quarter by Middle Tennessee Christian was enough to force overtime against Cascade, but it was the Champions who regained control in the bonus period to win 69-61 on Tuesday evening in Wartrace.

The victory gives Cascade the District 9-A season title, a bye in the opening round of the district tournament and a spot in the Region 5-A tournament.

"It's always great anytime you can clinch something in the regular season because it's a testimony to your body of work," Pope said.

"Going into the season I knew we had a chance to be good. I had no idea we'd be where we are."

It's the sixth straight year the Champs (15-7, 10-2 9-A) have earned a trip to the region tournament.

The Cougars (12-14, 6-6) didn't make things easy on their hosts. The game featured eight lead changes and seven ties.

"It's crucibles. You kind of get pounded a little bit more to kind of see what you've got hidden underneath," Pope said.

Cascade appeared to be cruising in the fourth quarter after a putback by Ricky Hord gave them a 51-43 lead with 3:58 showing.

Killen Middleton stepped up in a huge way for MTC by netting all five of his field goals and 13 of his team-high 16 points in the fourth. His 3-pointer with 53 seconds to go in regulation cut their deficit to one. A free throw by Logan Siler tied the game at 55-all with just 14.2 ticks on the board.

Cascade sank 10-of-13 free throws in OT to help secure the 'W'.

Despite sitting out much of the first half with foul trouble, Champion post Gerald "Happy" Johnson came through with 24 points, nine rebounds and three steals.

"Happy finds ways to play big when we need him to and that's a credit to him and a credit to how hard he works," Johnson said.

Jacob Carkuff joined Johnson in double figures with 16 points. Christian Edmondson contributed 11 points, including 7-of-11 at the foul line, and three steals. Hord grabbed six boards and handed out four assists.

Teams were whistled for a total of 49 fouls, with 23 directed at the home team.

"We've played three games in five days and all three have been heated, intense. No rest for the weary syndrome may have kicked in a little bit," Pope said.

"Our kids are out there trying to make plays. Do I wish we were a little smarter at times? Yeah. But, they're high school kids. They're trying their best to make plays, and you can't fault a kid for that because none of them take the floor with the intention of playing poorly. We've just got to direct that energy into less foul-prone ways."

Cascade made good on 20-of-31 at the foul line, while the visitors hit 17-of-29.

A pair of free throws by Carkuff broke a tie at 14 to end the opening quarter. T.J. Rippy's tip-in 38 seconds prior to the halftime buzzer put the Champs in front 26-25.

Cascade celebrates Senior Night on Friday for their final regular season home game. They face Watertown at 7:30 p.m.