Lionettes regular season champions

By TONY STINNETT/ Courier Sports Editor

CARTHAGE - No. 4-ranked Cannon County captured the District 8-AA championship despite a 56-42 setback against Smith County in the regular season finale.

The Lionettes (24-4, 9-3) shared the regular-season title with Livingston Academy, which suffered a setback at Central Magnet Friday. Cannon County earned the No. 1 seed and automatic berth into the Region 4-AA Tournament by virtue of sweeping the Lady Wildcats during the regular season.

Abbey Sissom led the Lionettes with 22 points against Smith County. She was the only Lionette in double figures as the Lady Owls completed the regular-season sweep and dealt the Lionettes half of their four losses.

The Lady Owls were the beneficiary of charity. Smith County went to the free-throw line 32 times as opposed to only 10 for the Lionettes. It marked the fourth straight game an opponent has attempted 25 or more free throws against Cannon County.

Smith County capitalized by knocking down 27 of its 32 attempts. Callie Hackett led Smith County with 27 points despite hitting just four field goals. She was 17-of-18 from the free-throw line. Lady Owl Casey Gregory was 9-of-12 from the line.

Abby Jakes scored eight for the Lionettes. Jordan Hollis netted six, and Madison Walkup and Arianna Kailiponi scored three each.