By Michael Lindsay
The Cookeville Lady Cavaliers improved to 9-3 overall Monday evening as they defeated Watertown (12-2) in the THW Christmas Tournament championship game at Watertown High School, 39-27.
“We came out a little flat, but our defense was good and kept us in the game when shots weren’t falling,” said Cookeville head coach Jamie Gillies. “In the second half, we made some shots and things went our ways.”
Cara Lee Gilbert was named tournament MVP after leading Cookeville with 15 points and 5 rebounds in the championship game.
“She’s so consistent and solid,” said Gillies. “She had some big rebounds tonight and good defensive possessions. She does so much for our team.”
Cookeville jumped out to an 8-2 lead early in the first quarter and held a 10-5 advantage entering the second.
Watertown chipped away at the Lady Cavs’ lead throughout the second quarter and took a 16-15 lead via a three-pointer with 57 seconds left in the half. Cookeville answered as a Charlie Roby steal led to a Kendyll McCloud layup to give the Lady Cavaliers a 17-16 lead at halftime.
“Watertown is very well coached,” said coach Gillies. “They’re disciplined and do the things we talk about doing. We had to come in here and play.”
Cookeville controlled the early portions of the second half as they opened the third quarter on a 13-2 run as back-to-back three-pointers from Macy Hudson gave them a 30-18 lead with 5:01 left in the third.
Cookeville led 35-20 entering the fourth quarter, where they held off Watertown en route to a 39-27 victory.
Up next for the Lady Cavaliers is a home game on Saturday against the defending Class 1A state champion Pickett County Lady Bobcats.
“I think we’ve played every good Class A and 2A team in the state over the last few weeks,” said Gillies. “Some of our girls play AAU with them in the summer so we know them and they’re like family to us. They’re really good and really tough.”
