GLADEVILLE -- Talk about rising to the occasion. Senior guard Ethan Gross made the move over to the point Friday night and turned in a solid effort to help lead his Mt. Juliet Golden Bears to a 55-44 victory at Wilson Central High.

Watching his team fall behind 9-0 to the thrill of a nearly-packed gym, Gross helped ignite an 18-4 Mt. Juliet run with a perfectly executed lob pass to the high-flying Darryl Jackson for a thunderous back-door dunk.

"Given the environment and the way this game is always contested, Ethan gave us an outstanding effort," said Mt. Juliet coach Troy Allen. "The backdoor lob was something we work on coming out of time outs. It was a great pass and Darryl took care of the rest."

Later in the game, Gross helped keep Wilson Central at bay by knocking down all six of his free throw opportunities in the fourth quarter.

Junior Teraes Clemmons, who a year ago was playing at Wilson Central, led the Golden Bears with 21 points. Jackson finished with 12 while Vaughn Cornelia and Gross ended the night with nine points apiece.

Mt. Juliet improved to 11-7 overall and 4-1 in District 9AAA play heading into a Friday, Jan. 23 contest at LaVergne.

Tuesday, Jan. 27 Mt. Juliet welcomes Hendersonville Beech to "The Cave" for a district contest.

Wilson Central, now 7-6 overall and 2-2 in the league, will host Gallatin Friday, Jan. 23.

The Wildcats were led by Kelten Stewart’s 14 points; Preston Jenkins had seven while Jarvis Jenkins, Arcavius McMurray and Austin Auld had six points each.