Relentless MTC too much for Cascade

CHAPEL HILL -- Cascade Middle's Lady Champions gave a valiant effort, but joined the rest of the World Tournament field in being overpowered by impressive Middle Tennessee Christian Middle, falling 49-11 in the championship game Saturday evening.

The Lady Champions (8-2) gave a gritty defensive effort early but were worn down by a fierce offensive onslaught by the Rutherford County kids, the former 10-under AAU national champions.

"That is a good team over there (at MTC)," Cascade coach Chad Spencer. "They work hard, play year round and they are well-coached. We will have to work as hard as they do to get to their level."

The Lady Champs held the Lady Cougars to 13 points in the first period but could not solve the MTC defense and were held to a single point on a free throw by Katie Vincent.

Sixth grader Jasmine Bond scored six points, Sarah Beth Martin had four and Alex Middleton contributed an impressive four steals in the second frame to push the MTC advantage to 29-3 at intermission.

Middleton and Bond scored 14 points between them in the third period to bump the lead to 47-7 going into the fourth. Cascade's Heather Hart had both baskets for her team in the frame.

The Lady Cougars' bench took over the rest of the way and were outscored by Summer Carter 4-2.

Middleton, Martin, Bond and Julianna Peters were named to the All-Tournament team for the Lady Cougars.

Lady Champs voted to the team by the coaches were Vincent, Jessica Erin and Abby Hunt.

Cornersville 41, Community 26 (G): It was an entertaining consolation game between longtime rivals with the Lady Bulldogs coming from behind in the early going to win going away in the second half.

"The girls played hard and gave themselves a chance to win the game before fatigue got to them," Viqueen coach Kevin Hinson said. "They wore us down physically with the press and we just didn't have the numbers to run fresh legs out there. Give Cornersville credit. They were able to take advantage of that."

Community (4-8) went up 8-3 in the first quarter.

Both offenses picked up the pace in the second period with the Viqueens able to maintain a slim 17-14 lead at the break. Taylor Thompson netted four points, Kristen Brothers busted a trey and Courtney Williams found the bottom of the net on a nifty move after a steal for the Viqueens during that span.

The halftime speech must have been a doozy for the Lady Bulldogs because they came out fired up in the third quarter to go on a 9-0 run before the Viqueens could right the ship on a 3-pointer by Brothers.

Brooke Holt wore the nets out for nine points for Cornersville and Ashley Umbel contributed five to take a 30-23 advantage into the final stanza.

Community cut the lead to five in the opening minute, but it was all Lady Bulldogs from that point on as their press proved devastating.

Cornersville hit 7-of-14 from the charity stripe late.

"I feel good about the effort that the girls gave throughout the tournament considering the circumstances," Hinson said. "We have always enjoyed playing this tournament and this year was no exception."

Thompson and Brothers were named to the All-Tournament squad for Community. Holt made it for the Lady Bulldogs.