Lions Bounce Back To Beat Walton

SANDESTIN, Fla. - Four players scored double figures and Cannon County rebounded with a 79-57 win against Walton (Fla.) High School in the Sandestin Beach Basketball Classic Tuesday afternoon.

The Lions (10-5) suffered a narrow loss against Mandeville (La.) in the Classic opener Monday but stormed back in an elimination game Tuesday. Jared Nave led a balanced scoring attack with 19 points. Justin Davenport and Colin Jones each scored 17 points and Cody Ruehlen finished with 13. The 17 points for Jones were a season high.

Cannon County's win was a painful one, though, as senior T.J. Mitchell suffered a shoulder injury in the second half and did not return. The significance of the injury was not known immediately after the game but it is the same shoulder that required offseason surgery, according to Lions Head Coach Matt Rigsby.

The Lions, clinging to a 35-31 lead at the half, opened the second half with a 25-5 run to run out to a 60-36 advantage and take control of the game.

"Our defense really sparked our offense," Rigsby said. "We were able to get some stops and force some rebounding opportunities, which our guys took advantage of. We mainly played zone but really stretched it and did a good job getting out on their shooters. Our defense really caused them some problems there in the second half."

Cannon County will face either Cookeville (TN) or Spanish Fort (Fla.) in an elimination game Wednesday at 1 p.m.