By Michael Lindsay
The Cookeville Cavaliers have advanced to the region semifinal round for the second time in three seasons following a 72-52 home victory over Rockvale Saturday evening.
Colin Ayers led Cookeville with 21 points along with 16 by Jalen Heard and 12 by Josh Heard.
The Cavaliers took control early as they led 11-6 midway through the first period and 22-15 at the end of the frame.
“We knew we had a set of guards that could drive and get to the rim on them,” said Cookeville head coach Joshua Heard. “We told the guys to lay off the threes and drive to the rim.”
Rockvale opened the second quarter on a 9-0 run to take a 24-23 lead over the Cavaliers with 4:24 left until halftime.
The teams traded one-point leads three more times in the quarter before the Cavaliers pushed ahead by 7 points at halftime, 35-28.
“Our first-half defense wasn’t that good,” said coach Heard. “The boys knew it wasn’t good either. We made some subtle adjustments at halftime and came out and got some stops.”
Cookeville extended their lead to double digits (46-36) via a Jack Oakley three-pointer with 3:36 left in the third period. The Cavaliers held a 54-39 lead entering the fourth quarter, where they held off Rockvale to win by a 72-52 final score.
“I love praising our guards for attacking down and grabbing rebounds,” said coach Heard. “We have a small lineup at times in the game, but we’re really athletic.”
Cookeville (27-3) advances to Tuesday’s Region 4-4A semifinal round where they will face Siegel at 7:45 p.m. at Oakland High School. A win Tuesday could clinch Cookeville’s second region championship and substate berths in program history.
“This next game is the one we’ve been talking about since these guys came into the program,” said coach Heard. “Getting past a point where teams before you haven’t gone. This one is big for us; making it to a region final is one of the goals we’ve had. I’m eager to see how hungry the boys are. I wish we could play it tomorrow.”
Cookeville (72): Colin Ayers 21, Jalen Heard 16, Josh Heard 12, Jack Oakley 8, Jaren Davis 7, Bennett Reeves 5, Joseph Owens 3
