Cascade Middle opens up by sweeping Webb

Cascade's Katie Vincent (15) scores a basket while Webb's Montana Bieder (33) watches. (T-G Photo by Danny Parker) [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo]

A smothering defensive effort helped Cascade Middle to a 42-7 season-opening win over Webb Middle in Wartrace on Monday night.

"We've got a pretty athletic team, we've just got to keep practicing," said Cascade coach Chad Spencer, who lost all five starters from last season.

The Lady Champions jumped out to an 8-0 first-quarter lead before Taylor Halliburton got the Lady Feet (0-4) on the board.

Cascade didn't allow another field goal for the next 10:56 and stretched its lead to 30-6 before coasting from there.

"I'm really trying to teach the girls to play man-to-man (defense) because that's what you'll have to play when you get to high school," Spencer said. "In middle Tennessee, now all girls basketball players now can shoot the 3. It's hard to play a lot of zone (defense). I want to get them to where they can play both man and zone by the time I get them to high school."

Lady Champion Katie Vincent tallied four buckets in the first quarter and finished with a game-high 12 points.

"Katie came out early and put the ball in the hole and just carried us on her back for the first quarter. Then, several other girls started joining in. We had several girls score, so that's a positive," Spencer said.

Sarah Edmondson and Jessica Ervin contributed eight points apiece to the victors.

Montana Bieder's four points paced the Lady Feet.

Webb's Tony Iorio (15) pulls down a rebound while being defended by Cascade's Drew Taylor (32). (T-G Photo by Danny Parker) [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo]

Cascade 40, Webb 21 (B): A 3-pointer by Feet guard Chris Burgoon gave the Feet an 11-8 lead at the 2:41 mark of the second quarter, but from there the game belonged to the Champions.

The Cascade defense turned it up a notch and didn't allow another Webb (0-4) basket from the field until Burgoon's bucket with 2:54 left in the game.

The Champs spread the ball around as 10 different players made it into the scoring column. Jesse Barnes and Andy Lawson led the way with eight points each.

Burgoon's nine points were tops for the Feet.

Webb trips to Lynchburg tonight to face Moore County. Tip-off for the girls game is at 6.

Cascade takes on another Bedford County rival when they trip to Community Middle on Thursday night at 6:30.