性视界APP

鈥淚 told our kids this is good for us,鈥� Coach Brenna Price said after her Lady Purple Tigers fell to 12-2 (their first loss to an in-state team). 鈥淲e want to win every game. But in the scheme of postseason, this doesn鈥檛 affect us at all. We played a really good basketball team tonight and I thought we got some things we need to work on, but I was very proud of my group.鈥�

Whether it was Cookeville鈥檚 defense or the tournament-type atmosphere, Watertown struggled offensively from the outset, falling behind 10-2 late in the first quarter. But the Lady Tigers fought back in the second quarter to take a 16-15 lead 56 seconds before halftime on a 3-pointer from the wing by Molly Followill.

But a layup by Kendyll McCloud off a steal less than 30 seconds later had Cookeville back in front 17-16 going into halftime. 鈥淭he first eight possessions of the game I thought we were playing intimidated and I called timeout and I told them 鈥楲adies, this is the type of basketball we have to play鈥�,鈥� Price said. 鈥淵ou got to get over what that jersey says and who we鈥檙e playing and you got to play your basketball. I thought from that point forward we picked it up. We didn鈥檛 turn it over as much right there.鈥�

Cookeville began cooking after halftime with four 3-pointers out of the shute and five for the third quarter, including three by Macy Hudson, as the Lady Cavaliers opened a 35-20 advantage going into the fourth.

鈥淲e knew they could shoot it,鈥� Price said. 鈥淭he first half, they probably shot it the worst they鈥檝e shot it all year for them.

鈥淚 was proud of our kids. They didn鈥檛 lay down. They fought the whole time.鈥�

Cara Lee Gilbert hit two triples in leading the Lady Cavs with 15 points and was named tournament most valuable player. Hudson鈥檚 13 included the three triples in the third as Cookeville climbed to 9-3.

Macie Brelje led the Lady Tigers with 14 points. Dailey Hight hit two triples for her six while Izzie Burns finished with four and Followill her 3.

Watertown traveled to Trousdale County last night. The Lady Tigers will open District 5-2A action at 6 p.m. next Friday when they host York Institute.

鈥淭hat was good for us, that type of basketball we鈥檙e going to see from two our our opponents in our district,鈥� Price said. 鈥淥verall, it helps us prepare for when it really matters, and that鈥檚 what we鈥檙e working towards.鈥�

Devilettes defeated in OT in Florida finale

PENSACOLA, Fla. 鈥� Lebanon closed out its stay in the Innisfree Hotels Pensacola Beach Classic with a 61-52 overtime loss to Rickards (Fla.) last Monday.

The Devilettes led 11-10 at the first-quarter break before the teams went into halftime tied at 22-22. Lebanon held a 35-34 edge going into the fourth.

Tiara Spencer鈥檚 3-pointer with 2.2 seconds left lifted Lebanon into a 52-52 deadlock to force overtime where Rickards dominated the extra stanza 9-0.

Gigi Henry had seven of her 22 points in overtime as she sank 6 of 8 free throws for the game. Amirahs Hayes hit two 3-pointers on her way to 11, all of which came after halftime and nine in the fourth quarter.

Ellie Beth McDonald dropped in 10 of 11 free throws in leading Lebanon with 19 points while Spencer sank two triples on her way to 14. Naleiya Withrow-Walker scored seven points, Samia Payne five, Keeli Davis three and Ro Dowell and Kiah Seay two free throws each.

McDonald, Spencer and Withrow-Walker were named to the all-tournament team.

The Devilettes have returned home and will host Mt. Juliet at 6 p.m. Tuesday at Campbell Brandon Gym/Hester Gibbs Court.