By Michael Lindsay
The Upperman Bees (12-3, 3-1) got back in the win column Tuesday evening as they won at District 7AAA foe Cumberland County (3-15, 1-3), 54-41.
“They made us earn it,” said Upperman head coach Bobby McWilliams. “Over the last two or three weeks, they’ve been playing some good basketball. I’m proud of our kids for digging in.”
Cumberland County held a 5-point lead (26-21) early in the second half before the Bees settled in down the stretch.
“We kept plugging in the second half,” McWilliams said. “Rebounding and keeping them off the boards was a big factor. We finally started making sure we were more sound on defense.”
Upperman was led by 17 points from Brayden Roberts. Clayton Harris recorded 10 points and 6 rebounds.
The Bees held a 9-2 lead late in the first period before Cumberland County’s Jaxon Reed banked in a three-pointer at the buzzer to make the score 9-5 after one.
Reed’s red-hot start kept Cumberland County alive as he scored his team’s first 13 points, including three three-pointers.
Following Reed’s start, Cumberland County’s Braeden Woodard chipped in a pair of treys as the Jets led 19-16 with 3:08 left until halftime. CCHS held a narrow 23-21 advantage at the break.
A Jet three-pointer early in the third quarter put them up 26-21 with 5:45 left in the period. From there, the Bees settled in as a quick 6-0 run put them ahead 27-26 on a Harris basket near the rim.
Upperman’s run didn’t stop there as they finished the period on a 14-2 run to lead 35-28 going to the fourth quarter.
“The second half and the first were two totally different kinds of teams,” McWilliams said. “Knowing you can keep playing and plugging away regardless of what happens is a good feeling as a coach.”
The Bees kept their strong play going in the fourth period as they went up 40-28 with 6:12 left. Upperman finished the game off from there, winning 54-41.
“These kids are tough; they’re that way every day in practice and every game we’ve been in,” McWilliams added. “They don’t lie down regardless of the situation. They’re starting to develop a little bit of an identity.”
Upperman returns to Baxter Friday for a District 7AAA showdown with the #1 ranked team in Class 3A: Livingston Academy. The 16-0 Wildcats defeated White County on Tuesday, 55-52.
“That’s a big district game for us again,” said McWilliams. “Every night in this league, you’re not going to have an easy game. They’re the #1-ranked team in the state; we know what’s coming in.”
Cumberland County hits the road to district foe DeKalb County (9-8, 1-3) on Friday.
Upperman 54: Brayden Roberts 17, Clayton Harris 10, Jaxson Bush 8, Branson Turnbow 7, Hayden Petty 6, Bronzden Chaffin 4, Kameron Bush 2
Cumberland County 41: Jaxon Reed 21, Braeden Woodard 11, Braden Leviner 8, Braden Templeton 1
