Champs survive MTC, 57-55

For the third time in as many games, Cascade saw its verdict come down to the very last shot in District 9-A competition.

However, this time it was its opponent's last-second prayer going unanswered as the Champions fought off a scrappy Middle Tennessee Christian team to win 57-55 in Wartrace on Monday night.

The lead changed hands for the ninth and final time when Cascade junior Christian Edmondson's jumpshot dropped through the twine with 7 seconds left.

The matchup marked the final game of the first half of the district schedule for the Champs (9-8, 6-2 9-A), and it's apparent to coach Charlie Pope that no one team is head and shoulders above the rest.

"In this district, the teams are pretty even," he said. "There's going to be a lot more of this before it's over. It's a struggle."

Cascade is still hunting for its first consistent 32-minute performance. They held a 13-point lead in the first half of this one before having to hold on late.

"We're still looking for that four quarters of consistent effort," Pope said. "I'll be honest, it's a little bit discerning. We've got a senior-laden team, and we've got to address that because we have to have four quarters. We have to. If we're going to make any noise in this district or beyond, we gotta play four quarters."

An 11-2 first-quarter rally helped the hosts charge in front 15-7 early. Ricky Hord capped the quarter in grand fashion by raining in a high-arching 3-pointer at the buzzer to help Cascade to a 23-14 upper hand.

That advantage swelled to 27-14 before MTC (8-10, 4-4) clawed back to trail 33-25 at the break.

The Champs enjoyed a nine-point advantage in the third frame before disaster struck.

Chris Brandon sank a trey with just 5 seconds on the clock. Then, Killen Middleton stole the ensuing inbound pass and laid it in at the buzzer to give the Cougars plenty of momentum, while also shrinking their deficit to 45-42.

Middleton, who led all scorers with 26 points, netted a bucket to cap off his team's 10-0 scoring run and put them in front by a point with 6:30 left in the fourth, which was their first lead since the first frame.

"It's like sometimes teams get on a run and we don't quite know how to shut it down. But, to this team's credit, when they had to make to plays tonight, they made them," Pope said.

"If we were playing great basketball right now, we wouldn't have anywhere to go but (down). You want things to improve on, which we've got a lot to improve on."

A personal foul and technical foul allowed Cascade to sink four straight free throws and recapture the upper hand.

MTC tied the game at 55-all with 1:25 to play but never led again.

Edmondson piled up eight points in the last period to help him to a team-leading total of 21. Jared Carkuff scored in every quarter and totaled 12 points. Hord finished with 10.

Brandon wound up with 15 points. Middleton was a perfect 7 of 7 at the foul line.

The Cougars hit 17 of 23 free throws, while the hosts made 7 of 10.

The Champs take on Moore County this evening back in Wartrace. Cascade won 47-36 the first meeting.