Patriots, Viqueens win BCT consolation games

Liberty point guard Kyle Cunningham gets airborne in the lane on a layup attempt against Webb's Chris Burgoon (20) steps over to defend. (T-G Photo by Jimmy Jones) [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo]

The Bedford County Tournament returned to action with the Liberty Middle boys defeating Webb Middle 32-16 to claim third place in a game much closer than the final score would indicate on Thursday in Wartrace.

Trevor Arnold netted six points for the Red, White and Blue to lead what had the makings of an early rout as they emerged with a 9-0 lead after the first period.

Lady Feet post Montana Bieder (33) puts up a shot against the Viqueens' Courtney Williams in Bedford County Tournament action Thursday night at Cascade. (T-G Photo by Jimmy Jones) [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo]

The Feet (3-13) adjusted in the huddle, employed a stifling defense in the second quarter and Depo Omitowoju scored five points to pull his team within 16-5 at the half.

Defense was again the name of the game for Webb as they put the clamps on Liberty, who managed just five points in the frame against the packed in zone.

The Feet's Ben Morris fired in a trey and Evan Smith, Colt Carter and Tony Iorio had a basket each to pull their squad to within 21-14 after three quarters.

Superior numbers proved to be just what the doctor ordered for the Patriots (11-9) as fresh legs began to show more spring and sprint than their counterparts in the fourth period.

Liberty's full-court press started to make a difference and it were able to force some turnovers that led to high-percentage shots in transition as they pulled away. Robert Cortner had the lone bucket for Webb in the quarter.

The game concludes the season for both schools.

Community 20, Webb 17 (G): The Lady Feet showed that they are a vastly improved team by giving cross-county nemesis Community all it could handle in the consolation game.

The Viqueens (5-12), playing without three starters due to season-ending leg injuries, led 3-2 after a quarter and took a narrow 10-9 advantage into intermission on the strength of a 3-pointer by Courtney Williams and baskets by Kaitlen Ensey and Taylor Thompson.

Ruth Watson, Chelsea Jackson and Montana Bieder accounted for Webb's scoring.

Bieder continued to carry a large part of the offensive load for Webb (0-16) with four points in the third period to lead her team to a 13-12 advantage after three quarters.

The Viqueens reclaimed the lead on consecutive baskets by Kristen Brothers and Ensey midway through the final frame and Thompson's basket put the game effectively out of reach with one minute remaining to overcome another four-point effort by Bieder.

Webb connected on just 3-of-11 from the charity stripe.