While it was downpouring rain outside of Roy Sewell Gymnasium in Sparta Tennessee, the Cannon County Lions made sure it was downpouring three pointers inside the gym during their first round matchup against the Chattanooga Howard Hustlin Tigers Monday afternoon, in the 8th annual Sonic Shootout at White County High School. Of the 13 points scored in the first quarter by the entire Lion basketball team, 11 of those belonged to Austin Duggin who had a career day for the Lions scoring a game high 26 points. Duggin picked up the scoring slack left by freshman guard Charlie Parrish who was out of action after an appendectomy performed on Christmas Eve. Austin Martin provided a little thunder on the inside owning the post blocking a total of 8 shots and scoring 20 points as well as Cannon County defeated Chattanooga Howard 67-53. Duggin connected on his first five consecutive attempts and finished the first half with 8-12 and 20 points. Brandon Miles and Briar Jakes each scored 7. Anton Knox turned in four points and Trey Fann connected for two points as Cannon County advances to the winners bracket and the semifinals of the tournament. The team will now meet Pickett County Tuesday who beat Warren County 72-56. Tipoff slated to begin Tuesday evening at 5:00 at White County High School in Sparta. The Cannon County Lionettes worked hard right before Christmas to win the Clinton Tournament Championship and even their record at 7-7 gaining some much needed confidence as they get focused and ready for the second half of the season. Monday afternoon however their first opponent Lebanon Lady Blue Devils were trying to accomplish the same goal after going 7-6 before Monday’s 8th Annual Sonic Shootout in Sparta at White County High School. Size made the difference of the game between the two teams as Lebanon boasted 4 post players all used in their playing rotation from 6 foot to 6’3″. The Lionettes didn’t have an answer to the size and lost 71-37 to Lebanon. Kelli Davis scored a team high 17 in the loss while Tori Knox added 11. Cannon will now start off the second day of the Shootout bright and early at 9:30 Tuesday morning as they get a rematch from an early season contest when they face Warren County who lost only by four to Clarkrange.
Both games will be broadcast live on AM-1540/FM 107.9 WBRY streaming live on wbry.com and through WBRY by using the smart phones and tablets with the Tune In Radio app.
