by Rusty Ellis
The White County Warriors took an 11-point lead in the third quarter against East Nashville on Wednesday night, but a 30-15 close to the game led to a 60-56 loss for the Warriors.
White County came out of the gates hot early, taking a 14-10 lead into the second quarter on the strength of five first-quarter points from Japheth Richmond.
The second quarter saw East Nashville take a brief lead late in the quarter, but a technical foul mixed with a common foul led to a couple makes from Tomas Paul at the free-throw line to make it a 32-28 White County lead at the half.
The Warriors responded in the third with a big 9-2 run early to take a 41-30 lead after a trio of threes from Jakeb Davis and Thomas Brock, but the Eagles closed the game on a 30-15 run from there to seal the four-point victory in the Frank’s Christmas Shootout Championship.
White County’s Thomas Brock, Jakeb Davis, Tomas Paul and Japheth Richmond were each named to the All-Tournament Team.
White County (56): Thomas Brock (17), Tomas Paul (14), Japheth Richmond (13), Jakeb Davis (7), Tripp Pinion (5)