Central stops Lebanon, snaps 8-game skid

With both teams on extended losing streaks, Wilson Central and Lebanon could have looked back at last Friday’s meeting with hope, if not for a cure, at least for a dose of medicine.

It was the visiting Wildcats who came out of Campbell Brandon Gym/Hester Gibbs Court feeling better as they beat the host Blue Devils 67-63.

Central led most of the way, but the Blue Devils kept battling. It was even at 59-all on two free throws by Lebanon’s Amaure Manier with 2:19 left following his steal.

But Central’s Colton McClellan stuck in a 3-pointer from the corner with 1:48 to play to break the tie. A driving layup by Ja’Michael Mitchell lifted the Wildcats to a five-point lead and Lebanon spent the final 1:16 in catch-up mode as the Blue Devils dropped their seventh straight to slip to 7-14 for the season and 0-6 in District 7-4A.

The Wildcats stopped an eight-game skid to climb to 12-11, 1-5.

“We’re pretty even,” Wildcats coach Jim Fey said. “We’re pretty well balanced, matched up. We just found a way to win a game. We’ve had so many games in this streak we’ve had that we found ways to lose. Tonight, we found a way to win.”

His two main scorers combined for 40 points with Mitchell hitting 8 of 9 free throws on his way to 23 while Towan Siler sank four 3-pointers on his way to 17.

“They did a pretty good job,” Fey said of Mitchell and Siler. “They have their moments where if I had any hair I’d pull it out. But they are our catalysts for sure.”

“Both teams have had some close games,” Lebanon coach Jim McDowell said. “It’s not like either team’s been getting blown out by anybody.”

Lebanon had early edges of 7-6 and 10-9 and it appeared the teams were going to the second quarter tied. But a foul was called at the buzzer and Cooper Jones hit two free throws with time expired to send Central into the next stanza ahead 14-13.

The Blue Devils kept on the ‘Cats heels throughout the second quarter, but only led 23-22 on a triple from the wing by Brody Reasonover 3:19 before halftime. But Jones scored from inside to swing the lead back to Central and the Wildcats carried a 33-25 lead into halftime.

The third quarter was more of the same, though Lebanon could only catch the ‘Cats at 35-35 on a corner trey by T.J. Searcy. A steal and layup followed by and-one put Central back in front and the visitors led 53-46 going into the fourth.

“That’s kind of been unfortunately the story of this losing streak,” McDowell said. “It’s little things — inopportune turnovers, missed block outs, free throws. That ultimately that’s on me. I’ve got to do a better job in those situational things. That’s stuff we work on regularly. But you got to give them credit. Coach Fey did a good job. Their two main guys, Siler and Ja’Michael Mitchell, really stepped up and made plays when they needed them.”

Jones notched nine points for Central while Grafton Graves scored seven; McClellan, Ethan Ragland and Triston Blackburn a 3 apiece and Ross Perlick two.

Point guard Avery Harris led Lebanon with 17 points, including a trio of triples. Senior big man Cash Williams was active in the post with 14 while Marques Anglin added 11. Searcy sank two triples on his way to nine while Manier scored six, Reasonover four and Jackson Clem two.

“(Harris) had been battling different things and stepped up and got back on the right track tonight,” McDowell said. “(Williams) played one of his best games and I highlighted that in our postgame talk. Cash played with a lot of energy tonight, very active and did a good job attacking the basket, attacking the glass.”

Lebanon hosted Smyrna last night while Central entertained Stewarts Creek. The Blue Devils, who began a four-game homestand with the Wilson Central game, will entertain Cookeville while the Wildcats travel to Smyrna on Friday.

Commanders crush DCA after first quarterFriendship Christian celebrated homecoming by dominating Donelson Christian after the first quarter of a 66-25 triumph last Friday night at the Bay Family Sportsplex.

The Commanders held a 14-12 edge eight minutes in before outscoring the Wildcats 22-4 in the second to open a 36-16 halftime margin. DCA scored just 13 points over the final 24 minutes while Friendship put up 52 during the same span.

Noah Major and Cayden Law each fired in 14 points to lead Friendship while Miles Fitzpatrick fired in three 3-pointers for his nine. Xavier Humphrey hit a pair of 3s as he and Caleb Kring each added eight points while Perez Parker finished with five, Sam Fitzpatrick and Sam Duckwiler three apiece and Billy Young two.

Friendship traveled to Ezell-Harding last night and will host Davidson Academy on Friday.

Welch’s free throws lift Hawks past HendersonvilleMT. JULIET — Antjuan Welch connected on three free throws with 1.3 seconds left Friday night to send host Green Hill to a 44-43 win over visiting Hendersonville.

Welch carried the Hawks from a nine-point deficit by scoring eight of his nine points in the final eight minutes after Green Hill trailed 32-21, outscoring Hendersonville 23-11.

Hendersonville led 9-5 at the first-quarter break and 18-13 at halftime.

Jaylen Mitchell tossed in two 3-pointers as he, Tanner Bolton and Aaron Mattingly each added eight points for Green Hill while Jaylen Searcy scored six, Nick Ware a 3 and L.J. Foster two free throws.

Cooper Jordan threw in three triples as he led Hendersonville with 20 points while Weston Hall had 10.

Green Hill went to Mt. Juliet last night and will visit Beech on Friday.

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