By Michael Lindsay
District 7-3A play tipped off for Livingston Academy and Cumberland County Friday evening as LA traveled to Crossville and left with a sweep of the Jets and Lady Jets.
The Lady Wildcats opened the evening with a 53-52 victory over Cumberland County followed by a 52-35 win by Livingston’s boys.
Girls
A pair of Mallie-Gene Coleman free throws with 6.8 seconds remaining were the difference Friday as Livingston Academy came from behind to defeat the Cumberland County Lady Jets in Crossville, 53-52.
Livingston was led by a trio of scorers in double-figures as Keely Mullins posted 14, Ellie Butler 13 and Mallie Carwile scored 12.
Butler, a junior guard, eclipsed her 1,500th career-point in the victory as well.
Cumberland County was led by a 21-point effort from junior point guard Aliyah Hawkins.
The Lady Jets held a narrow 13-11 lead after one quarter and pushed their advantage to two possessions by halftime as they led 26-22 at the break.
Cumberland County extended their lead to six points (32-26) midway through the frame before Livingston stormed back to tie the contest at 35 points each entering the fourth quarter.
The Lady Jets led 40-35 early in the fourth quarter before back-t0-back Carwile three-pointers tied the contest at 45 points each with 3:20 remaining.
Carwile hit her third consecutive three-pointer of the period with 1:45 left to give Livingston a 50-48 lead over Cumberland County.
After each team traded a free throw, Hawkins nailed a three-pointer with 26.8 seconds remaining to give the Lady Jets a 52-51 lead.
Livingston answered as Coleman was fouled with 6.8 seconds remaining, making both to give the Lady Wildcats a 53-52 lead. Cumberland County got a three-pointer off at the buzzer that couldn’t find the bottom of the net as Livingston escaped with a 1-point win.
Up next for the 13-5 Lady Wildcats is a trip to Baxter as they’re se to face Upperman on Tuesday. Cumberland County falls to 11-4 and travels to DeKalb County on Tuesday as well.
Livingston Academy (53): Keely Mullins 14, Ellie Butler 13, Mallie Carwile 12, Mallie-Gene Coleman 7, Chloe Jenkins 7
Cumberland County (52): Aliyah Hawkins 21, Jalynn Baldwin 14, Sydney Wilhite 10, Lexi Clark 4, Lexi Carroll 3
Boys
A strong fourth quarter was key for the Livingston Academy Wildcats as they picked up a road win over the Cumberland County Jets on Friday, 52-35.
Wyatt Hargis led the Wildcats with 21 points along with 12 by Rocco Carwile.
Hargis opened the game with 16 points in the first quarter as Livingston led 17-2 late in the period before an Andrew Dennis three-pointer made the score 17-5 entering the second.
Cumberland County opened the second quarter strong as they cut Livingston’s lead to four points (24-20) midway through the frame. A buzzer-beating three-pointer from Livingston’s Parker Beechbord made the score 31-21 in favor of the Wildcats at halftime.
Livingston took a 13-point lead early in the third quarter before Cumberland County cut their lead to six points by the end of the quarter at 37-31.
The Jets cut the deficit to four points (37-33) early in the fourth before Livingston responded with a 9-2 run to take a 46-35 lead with 3 minutes remaining.
Livingston’s control of the fourth quarter continued as they held Cumberland County scoreless over the final 4:53 of the fourth quarter to win by a 52-35 final score.
The Wildcats improve to 12-7 overall while Cumberland County falls to 2-10. The Jets are set to travel to DeKalb County on Tuesday while Livingston will make the trip to Upperman.
Livingston Academy (52): Wyatt Hargis 21, Rocco Carwile 12, Cole Harris 7, Tucker Miller 4, Daniel Bilbrey 3, Parker Beechboard 3, Brodey Coffee 2
Cumberland County (35): Sol Sitton 12, Andrew Dennis 11, Houston Torres 6, Nolen Carter 6
