Coalmont, Tenn. – Despite trailing by just a single point heading into the fourth quarter of Monday’s District 9-AA contest at Grundy County (14-3, 5-1), the Cascade Champions (11-9, 2-3) were unable to connect on enough shots down the stretch to pull off the upset, falling 63-54.

Grundy’s superstar, Sam Parson, scored 22 of his game-high 34 points in the second half to close out Cascade and prevent a recreation of last season when Cascade upset then-4th ranked Grundy County inside of Ricky Richards Gymnasium, 62-53. He was joined in double-figures by fellow senior, Dylan Garcia, who scored all 10 of his points in the first half. 

For Cascade, Henry Stone and Tyler Barrett led the way with 16 points apiece. Barrett, after four games in the starting lineup, was moved back to his original sixth-man role by Chris Lawson for this game, and that decision seemed to revive his shooting stroke. Barrett connected on five three-pointers, including four in the second half to help spark the Cascade comeback attempt. Kaleb Kelso was the only other player to reach double-digits with 13 points, connecting on a trio of triples himself.

To start, Cascade hung around thanks to eight first-quarter points from Kelso, including a pair of corner-threes, as Grundy County took a 17-12 lead after the opening period. 

In the second quarter, the Yellow Jackets outscored Cascade, 15-12, to take an eight-point lead into the halftime locker room. Garcia scored seven of his 10 points in the period to lead the way for Grundy while Parson was held to just one made field goal.

Coming out of halftime, Cascade went on an extended 13-3 run over the first 4:51 to make it a one possession game, 37-35, with 3:09 to go in the third quarter. Barrett connected on a pair of three-pointers, Cullum found the range from distance with a three, and Henry Stone scored four points of his own as the Champs ratcheted up the defensive intensity. Parson scored just six points in the third period, going 4/6 from the charity stripe. Parson was the only Yellow Jacket to score a field goal in the period, allowing the visitors to take a one-point lead, 41-40, heading into the final frame.

However, in that final frame, Parson did what superstars do and seized the moment, connecting on a pair of backbreaking three-pointers and took over the game, scoring 17 of his team’s 22 points in the fourth quarter. Meanwhile, Cascade went on an ill-timed cold spell from downtown when the game was within reach in the middle part of the period, unable to capitalize when they did force scoreless possessions from Grundy on the other end. In the end, Cascade only managed to score 14 points in the fourth, falling by nine points to the district leaders, 63-54. 

In another game dominated by whistles, Grundy County ended the night with a +13 advantage at the free throw line, finishing 19/25 at the charity stripe while Cascade shot 6/10.

Cascade falls to 11-9 (2-3) and will return home with a chance to sweep non-district foe, Fayetteville City, on Tuesday night before welcoming Grundy County into The Stable on Friday night, LIVE on The Zinger 100.9 and AM 1400 starting at 5:45 p.m.