Lady Cavs Win 74-64; Boys Fall 60-46

 

By Michael Lindsay

Former district rivals faced off Saturday evening as Cookeville and Warren County split their non-district contests. The Lady Cavaliers defeated the Lady Pioneers, 74-64, followed by Warren County’s boys taking a 60-46 road victory over the Cavaliers.

GIRLS

Less than 24 hours after Cookeville’s statement victory over Blackman, the Lady Cavaliers bounced back and picked up another quality win as they defeated Warren County, 74-64.

The Lady Cavaliers went 3-0 this week as they won at Mt. Juliet on Tuesday before Friday’s win over Blackman (20-2) and Saturday’s against Warren County (16-6).

“I told them after the game they should be mad at whoever did the schedule, which would be me.,” said Cookeville head coach Jamie Gillies. “When we played in Phoenix, we played four days in a row against four really good teams. I think we showed tonight we can win quality games two or three days in a row.”

Cookeville was led by stellar performances from the senior duo of Jordan Gillies and Cassie Gallagher as Gillies posted 26 points and 5 rebounds along with 19 points and 6 boards from Gallagher.

“We got it in their hands when we needed to, and they both step up night in and night out,” coach Gillies said. “They’re very unselfish, too. They’re good to make the extra pass for a better shot.”

Also scoring in double figures were Isabel Garcia with 15 points and 6 rebounds and freshman Allie Gillies who recorded 11 points.

Cookeville came out firing on all cylinders early as the Lady Cavs led 21-11 after the first quarter. Warren County flipped the script in the second period, outscoring Cookeville 21-12 in the quarter to trail 33-32 at halftime.

Jordan Gillies had 14 first-half points including four 3-pointers.

“We came out hot in the first quarter then let them make a little run,” coach Gillies said. “I felt like we were playing tired. I challenged them at halftime; give me 16 minutes and let’s go get this thing done. Our second half was a lot better and had a lot more energy.”

Warren County broke through early in the third quarter to take a 34-33 lead over the Lady Cavaliers. The teams traded leads through the first 3:45 of the third period before a Gallagher jumper put Cookeville ahead 42-40.

The basket was the first in a 14-6 Lady Cav run to end the third period as they led 54-46 going into the fourth quarter.

Cookeville pushed their lead out to 14 (64-50) in the fourth via two Jordan Gillies free throws with less than 4 minutes remaining. 

Warren County would cut the deficit to 8 points (69-61) with 1:42 remaining but got no closer as Cookeville went 8-11 from the free-throw line in the fourth quarter to win 74-64. Gallagher scored 17 of her 19 points in the second half.

Up next for Cookeville is a return to District 9-4A play as they host Wilson Central (3-15, 1-2) on Tuesday and Green Hill (10-11, 1-2) on Friday.

Cookeville (74): Jordan Gillies 26, Cassie Gallagher 19, Isabel Garcia 15, Allie Gillies 11, Cara Lee Gilbert 3

 

BOYS

The Cookeville Cavaliers (11-9, 0-3) fell to Warren County (8-12, 2-0) Saturday evening, 60-46, following a 25-point fourth-quarter outburst from the Pioneers.

The Cavaliers were shorthanded Saturday as multiple starters were out of Saturday’s matchup due to injury.

Cookeville was led by 22 points from Jalen Heard, who hit 5 3-pointers in the win.

The Cavaliers held a narrow 12-10 lead after one quarter before Warren County caught fire in the second, outscoring the Cavaliers 17-9 in the frame to lead 27-21 at halftime.

Warren County pushed their lead out to 8 points (31-23) early in the third before a 10-0 Cookeville run late in the third period gave the Cavs a 33-31 lead on a Lucas Smith corner three-pointer.

The teams traded baskets for the rest of the period as they entered the fourth quarter tied at 35.

A Clark jumper gave Cookeville a 37-35 lead early in the fourth period. After Warren County answered with a 2, Cookeville’s Jalen Heard nailed a 3-pointer to go up 40-37 with less than 7 minutes remaining.

Warren County pushed back with an 8-1 run to lead 45-41 with less than 4 minutes remaining. The Cavaliers had the ball down 4 with 3:40 left before a turnover led to a Warren County basket, putting the Pioneers up 47-41.

Following another Warren County basket to go up 49-41, Jalen Heard nailed a step-back 3-pointer to cut the Pioneer lead to 5 (49-44) with less than 3 minutes left. The Cavaliers would get no closer, though, as Warren County outscored Cookeville 11-2 over the final 2 minutes to win 60-46.

The Pioneers made their impact from the three-throw line as they went 21-23 from the charity stripe against Cookeville. Nathan Eldrod lead Warren County with 19 points including 14 in the second half.

The Cavaliers fall to 11-9 overall with the loss. Cookeville has dropped 5 consecutive games and will look back to get back on track Tuesday as they host Wilson Central (8-12) in District 9-4A play.

Cookeville (46): Jalen Heard 22, Dontae Potts-Heard 8, Alex Clark 8, Josh Heard 5, Lucas Smith 3