By Michael Lindsay
Strong Second Half Leads Lady Cavaliers To 54-36 Victory Over Stone Memorial
The Cookeville Lady Cavaliers improved to 8-2 Monday evening as they used a strong third quarter to defeat the Stone Memorial Lady Panthers, 54-36.
Cookeville outscored Stone Memorial 19-9 in the third period in the victory.
“We talked at halftime, and we just came out really flat,” said Cookeville head coach Jamie Gillies. “We weren’t doing the little things we usually do. We decided to up our pressure a little bit.”
Allie Gillies led the Lady Cavaliers with 15 points along with 12 by Charlie Roby and 11 from Cara Lee Gilbert.
“It makes us hard to guard,” coach Gillies said. “Whoever’s hot, we try to find that hot hand.”
Kailee Waldo led Stone Memorial with 14 points along with 10 by Rachel Houston.
The teams traded baskets through the first quarter as they finished the opening frame tied at 12 points each.
Cookeville scored the first five points of the second quarter via a three-pointer by Roby and basket from Garcia to take a 17-12 lead early in the period.
Stone Memorial battled back late in the second period as a Rachel Houston three-pointer tied the game at 21 points each with one minute left in the quarter.
The Lady Cavaliers took a 2-point lead into halftime, however, as a Roby baseline floater at the buzzer put her team ahead 23-21.
Cookeville took control of the game in the second half as they opened the third quarter on an 11-2 run to take a 34-23 lead midway through the third quarter.
The Lady Cavaliers never relinquished their double-digit lead as they led 45-32 after three quarters before winning by a 54-36 final score.
Cookeville improves to 8-2 overall while Stone Memorial falls to 5-6. The Lady Cavaliers will compete next after Christmas in the Independence Holiday Hoopfest in Thompson’s Station, TN, against Brentwood Academy. Stone Memorial is scheduled to travel to Panama City Beach, FL, after Christmas.
Cookeville (54): Allie Gillies 15, Charlie Roby 12, Cara Lee Gilbert 11, Isabel Garcia 9, Macy Hudson 4, Paige Hamilton 3
Stone Memorial (36): Kailee Waldo 14, Rachel Houston 10, Adison Howard 9, Lily Hinch 3
Cavaliers Run Away With 82-43 Victory Over Stone Memorial
The Cookeville Cavaliers put up their highest point total of the season Monday night as they ran away with an 82-43 victory over Stone Memorial.
“Our defense was working, said Cookeville head coach Josh Heard. “Tonight we showcased our defensive intensity; picking up full court, staying in front of people and moving our feet. These boys have played Stone for four years, so they understand how they play.”
Junior guard Jalen Heard led Cookeville with 21 points including 5 three-pointers.
“He’s a great kid and great offensive player,” said coach Heard. “He’s the most selfless person with the basketball. Tonight, we were giving it back to him. He was knocking them down and I’m glad to see him play confident.”
Four more Cavaliers hit double figures as point guard Colin Ayers posted 16 points and 7 assists, Joshua Heard recorded 12 points, Jared Davis scored 11 and Jack Oakley recorded 10.
“I’ve told them every game, regardless of who we sub in we have the best 5 in the state,” said coach Heard. “Every last one of them can shoot the ball. Tonight, making us get up and play defense hard made us make those shots.”
Junior guard Cade Capps led the Panthers as he scored 28 of Stone Memorial’s 43 points. All 28 came in the first three quarters.
Cookeville took control early as the Cavaliers hit 6 first-quarter three pointers to take a 26-8 lead after one period. Jalen Heard hit four of the six while Colin Ayers hit the other two.
The Cavs grew their advantage to 24 points (32-8) early in the second quarter via a Jalen Heard layup before gong to the locker room with a 43-22 lead at halftime.
The Cavaliers kept control in the second half as they outscored Stone Memorial 26-13 in the third period to lead 69-35 entering the fourth.
Cookeville cruised in the final frame to win by an 82-43 final score.
“It was good for us to play like that in front of our fans and community,” said coach Heard. “Cookeville came out tonight. Our next six games are going to be really tough. It was exciting to showcase this in our gym.”
Cookeville improves to 8-1 overall while Stone Memorial falls to 8-4. The Cavaliers will be in action later this week as they travel to Riverdale High School for the Adidas Warrior Classic, where they’re set to face Webb Bell Buckle on Wednesday. Stone Memorial will travel to Panama City Beach, FL, after Christmas for their next contest.
Cookeville (82): Jalen Heard 21, Colin Ayers 16, Josh Heard 12, Jared Davis 11, Jack Oakley 10, Bryce Herron 7, Walker Redding 5, Bennett Reeves 2
Stone Memorial (43): Cade Capps 28, Kadyn Page 4, Braiden Elliot 4, Brady Lane 3, Wyatt Grothe 2, Preston Mayberry 2
