The Cannon County Lions and Lionettes opened the basketball season in an unusual fashion as both teams suffered big losses to Van Buren County in Woodbury Thursday night. In the girls game, the Lionettes, who were playing without post player Autumn King who is out until possibly January after she suffered a big concussion earlier in the pre season, couldn’t give head coach Jonathan Odom a win in his debut as even though Kellie Davis scored 26. Van Buren County opened a nine point lead by half and just added to it the rest of the way in a 73-53 win over Cannon County. Maleah Scott finished with 13 for the Lionettes. The Cannon County Lions know they need several players to score in double figures in order for them to have an opportunity to win. After facing a two three zone defense most of the night, the Lions only had one in double figures as Briar Jakes netted 20 but none of the rest of his teammates came close in a 64-47 loss to the Eagles from Spencer. Cannon never led in the game. The Lions and Lionettes will have all day Friday to regroup before participating in the Hall of Fame games at Smith County Saturday. The Cannon County teams will play four back to back games starting at 3:00 at Smith County High School vs Signal Mountain. Then at 6:00 the two teams will move over to Smith County Middle School to play a pair of games against Bledsoe County.
