Sissom leads Cannon to victory

TONY STINNETT
Courier Sports Editor
Paying added attention to Abbey Sissom isn’t working out
too well for opposing teams early in the 2012-13 basketball
season.

Those well-devised schemes are creating opportunities for
others and Sissom somehow still manages to impact the game.

Coffee County was the latest victim. Sissom scored a
game-high 23 points on 7-of-15 shooting, including four
3-pointers, to lead the Lionettes (3-0) to a 58-42 win
against the Lady Red Raiders. Sissom also had three assists
and two steals.

“Coffee County did something that had not been done yet,
which was face deny (Sissom),” Cannon County Head Coach
Michael Dodgen said. “She will see that a lot. She just
keeps doing her thing and finds ways to be a factor in the
game.”

Abby Jakes was the only other Lionette in double figures
with 10. The 5-foot-4 guard also had five rebounds – all
offensive. Jordan Hollis finished with eight points, three
assists and three steals. Forward Rebekah Faulkner continued
to be a steady contributor off of the bench with seven
points. Ashley Basham made her presence known in the paint
with nine rebounds and three blocks.

“This was a good win for us,” Sissom said. “It is
important that we get challenged early because it helps get
us ready for our tough district schedule and Coffee County
was a challenge. They are more physical and they are patient
in their offense.”

Cannon County continued to do a good job on the boards. Post
players Basham, Faulkner, Emily Pemberton and Arianna
Kailiponi have been solid in the early going and the
Lionette guards also do a formidable job in the rebounding
category. The Lionettes pulled 13 offensive rebounds against
Coffee County.

The game started as though it would be anything but a
challenge as Cannon County vaulted to a 21-6 lead after the
first quarter. Coffee County wouldn’t stay down.

The Lady Red Raiders were 3-of-7 from the field and
connected on seven free throws in the second quarter. The
Lionettes hit a lull in the frame with just nine points and
Coffee County had clawed back to within striking distance.

“Of all the non-district teams we play Coffee County is
the one I dread the most,” Dodgen said. “They are very
well coached. If you get in a game where they dictate the
pace you are in trouble. We got up early and they had to
adjust a little bit and play a different style.”

Cannon County led 30-19 at the half. Sissom was 5-of-9 from
the field, including three 3-pointers in the first half. She
scored seven of the team’s nine points in the second
quarter.

Coffee County climbed to within 10, 36-26, in the third
quarter but Basham collected an offensive carom and put it
back and Sissom scored six straight to push the lead to
42-26 and Cannon County was never really threatened down the
stretch.