LORETTO, Tenn. – Early in the week, Cascade Champions’ Head Coach Doug Worsley told the media that his team was still battling through illness that was inflicting a number of key contributors despite having the entire week out of school. On Friday night, Worsley’s worries came to a head, manifesting itself in his team’s worst offensive output of the season during a 54-35 loss at District 9-AA foe, Loretto (10-8, 4-1).

In the first meeting between the two sides back on January 9th, Cascade (13-9, 2-3) looked ready to send the game into overtime before Kylon Wilkerson swooped in for a game-winning walk-off putback layup. This time, the Mustangs didn’t need any late-game heroics, opting instead for the slow-burn style of physical defense paired with a methodical half-court offensive attack, and it worked.

Cascade was held to less than 40 points for the first time this season, eclipsing their season-low 41 points in a loss to Richland more than two months ago. 

Cascade's Tyler Rodgers (25) floats in two of his eight points despite Loretto's Mason Tidwell (13) presenting a heavy contest. Rodgers tacked on four rebounds in Friday's road loss.

David Smith

Kaleb Kelso led the Champions with a team-high 10 points with six rebounds, but he was the only contributor to crack double-digits and he was held to just 3-of-14 shooting from the field. Tyler Rodgers added eight points on an efficient 3-of-6 shooting to go with four rebounds and two steals. As a team, Cascade was held to just 29% shooting from the field, and just 5-of-20 (25%) from downtown.

For Loretto, Mason Tidwell finished with a double-double, leading all scorers with a game-high 19 points and 10 rebounds. Kylon Wilkerson added 14 points and six boards for a Mustangs squad that shot 68% from inside the arc and outscored Cascade 36-16 in the paint.

The hosts were able to establish their style and pace of play early on with Greg Tipps’ squad taking a 10-5 lead at the end of the opening period.

In the second stanza, Cascade actually showed some signs of life, outscoring the reigning Class AA State Champs, 12-8, in the quarter to trim the hosts’ lead to just one point, 18-17, heading into the halftime locker room.

However, Loretto retook control in the third quarter, outscoring the visitors, 15-6, to take what felt like a commanding 33-23 lead heading into the final frame. 

The Mustangs continued to methodically pull away in the fourth quarter, outscoring Cascade 21-12 in the final period to reach the final score of 54-35 and secure the top spot in District 9-AA with three games to go.

Loretto improves to 10-8 overall.

Cascade falls to 13-9 overall. The Champions return home on Tuesday night for the second ‘Battle of Bedford’ this season against Community, LIVE on The Zinger 100.9 and AM 1400 at 5:45 p.m.

CASCADE: K. Kelso 10 (2), T. Rodgers 8 (2), R. Pilkington 6, C. McElroy 4, H. Stone 4, T. Billings 3 (1).

LORETTO: M. Tidwell 19, K. Wilkerson 14, C. Burleson 8 (1), C. Springer 6, J. Aaron 5, G. Fisher 2.