UNIONVILLE, Tenn. – The Community Viqueens (7-10, 0-2) returned to District 9-AA play on Tuesday night after a heartbreaking one-point loss in their district opener at Grundy County, but unfortunately for the Viqueens, the Cannon County Lady Lions (11-4, 3-0), handed the hosts their second consecutive defeat, 60-44.

Anna Haskins led the way for Community with a team-high 13 points, including 10 in the second half. Alyssa White was the only other Viqueen to reach double-figures, finishing with 10 points of her own. Brailey Whitehead chipped in with eight points as well.

For Cannon County, star point guard Abi Alexander led the way from the opening jump, scoring a game-high 22 points with half of them coming in the first quarter. Mylee Schwartz contributed with 10 points while Addie King chipped in with 12 points of her own. 

To start things off, Alexander outscored Community all on her own, leading to the Lady Lions taking a 20-9 lead at the end of the opening period. Brooklyn Yoes, Haskins, and Whitehead each found their way into the scorebook for Community with four points, three points, and two points, respectively, but Cody Pierce’s squad struggled to string together defensive stops early on.

Cannon County continued to extend their lead after outscoring the Viqueens, 15-10, in the second quarter, taking a 16-point lead, 35-19, into the halftime locker room. Nonetheless, White scored seven of her 10 points in the period to lead the way for Community.

Coming out of halftime for the third quarter, Community actually outscored the Lady Lions, 10-9, to trim the lead to 15 points, 44-29, after holding Alexander to her lowest scoring period of the night with just two points.

In the final frame, however, Cannon County found their groove again, outscoring the Viqueens, 16-15, to hold off the hometown rally and pick up their third district win of the season. Haskins connected on a pair of three-pointers in the fourth quarter to go with two free throws, but it was ultimately too little too late. The Viqueens only managed to hit one shot from downtown in the first three quarters thanks in part to the length of Cannon County on defense.

Cannon County improves to 11-4 (3-0). 

Community falls to 7-10 (0-2). Their next District 9-AA matchup is scheduled for Tuesday, January 21, at home against Cascade in the season’s first “Battle of Bedford.”