BELL BUCKLE, Tenn. – The Cascade Lady Champions and their head coach, Janie Demonbreum, felt like the first time they played the Murfreesboro Central Magnet Lady Tigers back on December 16, they let a winnable game slip away. This time, the Lady Champs made sure the outcome was never in doubt, pulling away after the first quarter to win by 24 points, 61-37, at The Stable on Friday night.

Kaegan Young scored 12 of her game-high 21 points in the first half while Sophie Ray and Caroline Parker each scored nine of their 11 points and 13 points, respectively, in the second half as the Lady Champions doubled-up the visiting Lady Tigers, 28-14, over the second and third quarters to extend their winning streak to three games. Lizzie Keele chipped in with eight points as well, all of which came in the opening half, as the Lady Champions shot 56% from the field as a team while holding the visitors to just 42% shooting overall. 

In the first meeting, Central Magnet shot 51% from the field while Cascade shot just 33% FG, but the biggest discrepancy was from outside the arc. The Lady Tigers connected on 10/18 threes, shooting an incredible 55.6% from downtown, but Cascade held them to just 1/12 shooting from three in this game, completely cutting off the water of both Bethany Jackson and Clara Johnson, who combined for 37 points on nine triples in the first meeting. They were held to four points – all coming from Jackson – and zero made threes.

For Central Magnet, Madisen Stanley finished with 18 points on 17 shots, and she was held to just four points in the second half after finishing the opening period with 10 of her team’s 12 first-quarter points. Julia Stuible was the only other Lady Tiger to finish in double-figures with 10 points. 

Caroline Parker (2) finished with 13 pts, 4 rebs, & 3 asts on Friday night.

David Smith

Cascade started off hot from the field, jumping out to a 16-6 lead early on before Central Magnet closed the quarter on a 6-0 mini-run to cut the Lady Champs’ lead to 16-12.

In the second quarter, Cascade outscored Central Magnet, 13-8, to take a 29-20 lead into the halftime locker room. 

Coming out for the second half, the Lady Champions made 12/17 field goals, shooting a scorching 70% from the field as they pulled away from the Lady Tigers. After Stanley scored 14 points in the first half, Janie Demonbreum put Sophie Ray on Stanley to deny her the ball, and this switch worked to perfection. Stanley was completely taken out of the game, and this propelled Cascade forward, outscoring Central Magnet, 15-6, in the third quarter to take a 44-26 lead into the final frame.

In the fourth quarter, Cascade outscored the Lady Tigers, 17-11, to pull away with the 24-point victory. Young finished with 21 points on 9/14 shooting to go along with four steals, by far her most efficient game of the season which bodes well for district play starting on Tuesday.

The Lady Champions are scheduled to host the reigning District 9-AA Champions, Cannon County, on Tuesday night, LIVE on The Zinger 100.9 starting at 5:45 p.m.