By Shannon Fagan, WEIS Sports Director
CENTRE – The Spring Garden Lady Panthers sank 14 3-pointers in a 70-14 basketball rout of Gaylesville in the opening round of the Cherokee County Tournament at Richard Lindsey Arena in Centre on Thursday.
Maya Jennings led the Lady Panthers with 31 points, including six treys. She also collected seven rebounds, three assists, and three steals.
Kylie Bates connected on three treys and had 13 points, along with eight rebounds, nine assists, eight steals, and two blocks. Lacie Jo McMurray managed 13 points, including four treys, with four rebounds, four assists, and seven steals.
Addie Word added seven points, four rebounds, three assists, four steals, and three blocks. Carmen Truss finished with six points, five rebounds, two steals, and three blocks.
Lydia Reynolds topped the Lady Trojans with seven points.
Spring Garden went on a 22-0 run in the first quarter and led 28-4 at the end of one. The Lady Panthers then went on a 19-0 in the second to take a 47-4 lead at halftime.
Spring Garden advances to face top-seeded Cherokee County on Friday at 3:30 p.m.
Varsity Boys
Cherokee County 72, Gaylesville 42
CENTRE – The Cherokee County Warriors jumped out on a 15-0 run and cruised to a 72-42 victory over Gaylesville in Thursday’s tournament nightcap.
Daniel Neyman led the Warriors with 12 points, including a pair of 3-pointers. Aiden Mansell netted nine points. Nolan Neyman and Tatum Perry both tossed in eight points. Chris Cobb, Jayquan Diamond, and Owen Jacoway each had seven points. Keyshawn Woods and Caden Baker both finished with five points.
Aydn Heinrich topped the Trojans with 18 points. Hayden Dodd delivered 16 points, including three 3-pointers.
The Warriors led 22-5 at the end of the first quarter and held a 44-13 advantage at halftime. Cherokee County built a 57-26 edge at the end of three quarters.
The Warriors will take on top-seeded Sand Rock on Friday at 5 p.m.
Junior Varsity Boys
Spring Garden 39, Sand Rock 38 (OT)
CENTRE – Eli Bates sank four 3-pointers and finished with 15 points as Spring Garden held on to defeat Sand Rock in overtime by the final of 39-38 in junior varsity boys action on Thursday.
Shawn Carnes contributed 10 points for the Panthers. Grant Maddox finished with five points.
Brycen Murphy led all scorers with 25 points, including a 10-of-12 free-throw performance for the Wildcats. Creed Gillespie finished with six points.
Spring Garden led 10-6 at the end of the first quarter and maintained a 17-13 advantage at halftime. The Panthers built a 34-27 lead after three before Sand Rock rallied to tie the game at 37 in the fourth to force overtime.
Spring Garden hit 2-of-4 free throws while Sand Rock was 1-of-2 in the extra session for the final.
The Panthers advance to the JV boys championship game where they will face Cherokee County on Saturday at 4 p.m.
Junior Varsity Boys
Cherokee County 34, Cedar Bluff 23
CENTRE – Cam Gaidurgis and Easton Morgan both netted eight points to lead the Cherokee County Warrior JV boys to a 34-23 victory over Cedar Bluff.
Jace Betterton rang for seven points and Wyatt Baker finished with five points for the Warriors.
Jordan Bryant topped the Tigers with 11 points, including a pair of 3-pointers. Zaylen Kyle finished with five points.
The two teams battled to a 13-13 tie at halftime. The Warriors pulled out in front 29-22 after three quarters and outscored Cedar Bluff 5-1 in the fourth for the final.
The Warriors will play Spring Garden for the JV boys tournament title on Saturday at 4 p.m.
