BELL BUCKLE, Tenn. – The Cascade Champions take on the Community Vikings in the second edition of the ‘Battle of Bedford’ on the hardwood for a massive District 9-AA clash Tuesday night.

Doug Worsley’s Champions come in on a two-game losing streak, sitting at 13-9 overall and 2-3 in District 9-AA after being held to their lowest scoring output of the season on Friday night at Loretto. Meanwhile, Hunter Ferrell’s Vikings enter Tuesday’s contest with a 13-7 record and are 2-2 in the district. One caveat to their record is that Tuesday’s game will be the first time back on the court for live game action in two weeks due to the winter storms. 

There are three major keys that decided the first meeting back on Jan. 13 when Cascade won a high-scoring affair, 82-74, and there are three keys that will likely decide the second matchup as well.

  1. Points in the Paint

In the first matchup, Cascade controlled the paint, outscoring the taller Vikings 40-34 in that area of the floor. The two teams were practically even on the glass – Community finished +1 in that department – so the points-in-the-paint became a real difference-maker in the game. Cascade’s sophomore center, Ryder Pilkington, scored 10 of his 13 points in the paint on Jan. 13 for his highest scoring output in five district games so far this season. In a game that was decided by eight points, a six-point advantage on points-in-the-paint was a massive advantage.

  2. 3PT Proficiency 

Much like the preceding game between the Viqueens and Lady Champions, a major difference that separated these two sides was the three-point shooting in Unionville. Cascade shot just under 50% (7-of-15), but they held Community to just 21% (5-of-23) shooting from downtown. Kaleb Kelso, who tied for the Cascade team-high with 23 points, went 3-of-4 from outside the arc while Cooper McElroy also finished 3-of-6 from downtown during his 23-point night.

Cascade's Kaleb Kelso (5) sizes up Community's Johnathan Lawwel (1) on Jan. 13. Kelso finished with 23 points in the Champions' win while Lawwel scored 7 points and dished out 5 assists.

David Smith

For perspective, during Community’s upset over Loretto on Jan. 16, the Vikings nailed six three-pointers in just the first half to put themselves in a position to hold on for the win. Whoever wins the three-point battle is likely to win the game on Tuesday.

  3. Dynamic Duos

Also similar to the first game of Tuesday’s doubleheader, the boys’ game features a pair of extremely dynamic duos on both teams. For Community, the Vikings have one of the most prolific guards in the entire district in Charlie Haskins, and his wing complement has typically been Josh Powers.

Community's Charlie Haskins (3) attacks the basket against Summertown on Jan. 9. Haskins torched Cascade with 32 points and five assists in the eight-point home loss on Jan. 13, and he will be looking for another monster performance on Tuesday.

Submitted Photo - Meridith Miller

Haskins torched Cascade to the tune of 32 points and five assists on Jan. 13, and he is averaging 16.5 PPG in four district games. Meanwhile, Powers is averaging just under 10 PPG in district play, and he scored 10 points while pulling down four rebounds in the first meeting.

Community's Josh Powers (14) scored 10 points in the first meeting against Cascade on Jan. 13 in Unionville. Powers is averaging 9.8 PPG in four district games this season.

T-G Staff Photo - Noah Maddox

For Cascade, Kaleb Kelso and Cooper McElroy have led the way for the Champions for much of the season. Kelso is averaging a team-high 15 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 2.2 steals per game in five district contests this season. The senior guard put up an aforementioned 23 points in Unionville. McElroy is averaging 10.4 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game through five district games, but he is still recovering from flu-like symptoms that he suffered with against Loretto on Friday. The sophomore forward also finished with 23 points on Jan. 13, along with six rebounds, seven assists, and two rejections in one of his best games all season. 

Following the Senior Night celebrations at 5:00 p.m. and the first game beginning at 6:00 p.m., the game is scheduled to tip-off at around 7:30 p.m. and can be listened to LIVE on The Zinger 100.9 and AM 1400 or on their mobile app.