Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Caught between Rockwood and a hard place, Greenback falls hard

The Lady Cherokees started out strong Tuesday night, but lost their rhythm in the third period, while Rockwood adjusted and took over the game down the stretch, winning at home 53-47.  It was a physical game throughout. Greenback girls head coach Ed McCollum finally had enough and spoke his mind to the officials, resulting in a double technical foul call and was forced to leave the gym. 

The boys contest seemed to be called more evenly, in spite of the winning play being a foul called against the Cherokees. It was a good call, resulting in a 53-52 victory for the Tigers. 

Photo by Ambler Brown © 2012 
 Kassidi Knight drives the baseline.
The Lady ‘Kees jumped out front 15-13 in the first quarter and put up even better numbers in the second, going to intermission leading 33-24. Halftime adjustments by Rockwood were effective as Greenback only scored four points after the break. Rockwood tied the game 37-37 at 1:15 on the third quarter clock, took the lead on foul shots, and ended the quarter with a 39-37 advantage. The final period was close with Greenback scoring 10 against Rockwood’s nine, but the damage had been done.

The Lady Cherokees did not go quietly. With 3:15 to go and Rockwood up 46-45, Kassidi Knight dropped in two free throws to reclaim the lead. A turnover by the Lady Tigers put the ball back in Greenback’s hands. Close coverage by the Rockwood defense put the ball back in the Lady Tigers hands. The wheels came off as a combination of Mallory Winters’ fourth foul was called away from the shooter and contact by Rockwood with no fouls called sent coach McCollum into orbit and the official ‘teed him up’. Focus was lost and Rockwood took advantage down the stretch.
Knight was team high scorer for the Lady Cherokees with 15. Winters also hit in double figures with 10. Katelyn Sparks dropped in eight, while Courtneay Sheedy netted six. Bailey Sellers and Autumn Tipton each scored four. Winters and Sheedy found the net from outside with a pair of 3-pointers each.

Photo by Ambler Brown © 2012
Mallory Winters, No. 23, was called for her fourth foul on this play.

The Lady Cherokees hit seven-of-12 from the free-throw line, for 58.3 percent. Rockwood went to the line 25 times and netted 17 for 68 percent.

The boys’ game was close at first, with an 18-17 home team advantage after one. Greenback worked their magic in the second and jumped in front 34-26. It was the only quarter that five Cherokees inked the score sheet.

Photo by Ambler Brown © 2012
 Kassidi Knight tries to put up a shot. No foul was called on the play.
Like the girls contest, Rockwood adjustments during the break had an impact down the stretch. Greenback’s offensive production dropped dramatically in the second half while the Tigers stayed close. After three, Greenback was still up 44-38. With 2:35 to go, the Tigers had shaved the margin to 49-48.

 After an exchange of field goals, and a trio of foul shots by both squads, three additional points were added to the score for each team. With 1.8 seconds on the clock and Greenback up 52-51, Rockwood received a gift in the form of an over the back foul after a missed Greenback free throw. The Tigers’ Cleveland Davidson made both shots to give the home team their second victory of the night.

Josh Pace led the Cherokees with 15 points and Tyler Bryant dropped in 14. Trevor Franklin was also in double figures with 10. Austin Bryant netted six and Eric Anderson nailed a 3-pointer. Hogan Goodson and Landon Disney each connected with a field goal. Success from the free-throw line was missing as the Cherokees hit a paltry three-of-nine for 33.3 percent. Rockwood hit eight-of-11 for 72.7 percent.

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Photo by Ambler Brown © 2012
 Josh Pace drives in for a layup. Pace led the Cherokees with 15 points.
Photo by Ambler Brown © 2012
 Trevor Franklin drives in for a shot. He made no trips to the foul line during the game.

Photo by Ambler Brown © 2012
 Trevor Franklin hit the floor after this play.

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