COMMANDERS REACH REGION FINALS

WATERTOWN -- Friendship Christian went on an 8-0 second quarter run and never looked back, rolling past Clarkrange 51-27 Tuesday in the Region 4A semifinals at Watertown.

The victory sends the local team into Thursday's region finals against Clay County -- a 51-44 winner over Pickett County --  and assures FCS (23-4) a berth in the TSSAA Sectional Monday.

Dalton Patterson had 14 points to lead the Commanders while Mark Sandoval had a double-double 12 points and 17 rebounds.

BASEBALL PLAYER, PITCHER OF THE WEEK

LEBANON -- Cumberland University’s Mike Mandarino and Aaron Wilkerson were named TranSouth Conference Player and Pitcher of the Week, respectively, as announced by the conference office Tuesday.

Mandarino was 6-for-12 in five games this past weekend with three doubles, one home run and two RBIs. He collected a hit in four of the five contests, including a 3-for-3 effort with a single, double and solo homer in the weekend finale against Indiana Tech.

The Passapeque, N.Y., native also drove in a run with a double in a victory over Indiana Tech. For the season Mandarino is batting .419 overall with six doubles, three homers and 10 RBIs in 12 outings.

Wilkerson tossed seven shutout innings against No. 24 Brewton-Parker to pick up his second victory of the season, giving up just an infield single with two walks and four strikeouts. The righthander retired 10 of the first 11 batters of the game, working around an error. After a pair of walks in the fourth, he set down 11 of the final 12 batters he faced.

The Waco, Texas, native is now 2-0 on the season with wins over BPC and 12th-ranked Belhaven University. He has a 1.29 ERA and 11 strikeouts while giving up just five hits in 14.0 innings of work. It is the second TSAC Pitcher of the Week honor for Wilkerson in his career.

The Bulldogs begin conference play this weekend at Freed-Hardeman with a single game Friday at 4 p.m. and a doubleheader Saturday at Noon.

The games will be the first broadcast on the radio this season -- WCOR AM-900 on Friday and WANT FM-98.9 on Saturday. It also marks the beginning of a seven-game road trip for Cumberland that includes contests at Texas Wesleyan, Northwood University and LSU-Shreveport.

From Post staff reports
GALLATIN -- Rising to the occasion with a tremendous defensive effort, Wilson Central eliminated arch-rival Mt. Juliet 47-37 Monday in the semifinals of the Region 5AAA tournament.

The victory assured the Lady Wildcats (25-4) of at least two more games, tonight’s region finals and a TSSAA sectional game on Saturday.

No. 2-ranked Mt. Juliet had defeated Central twice during the regular season -- but the third time proved to be the charm for Coach Bud Brandon’s crew.

Brandon pointed to the play of post player Ieshia Hassell as a key to the win.

“She’s our only senior, and seniors don’t want to go down,” Brandon said. “She took it to another level. She said, ‘Coach, just give me the ball, give me the ball.’ She really showed her leadership.”

Hassell and Taylor Peterson led the Lady Wildcats with 15 points apiece while Sydney Vanlandingham chipped in with nine.

Perhaps another key to the victory was keeping a lid on Mt. Juliet’s Miss Basketball finalist Caya Williams who was held to just 12 points -- way below her average.

Barianne Taylor led Mt. Juliet with 14 points. No other Lady Bear broke into double figures.

Central led 21-15 at intermission, and saw Mt. Juliet claw to within 31-26 after three. Wilson Central outscored their rivals 16-11 in the final period to ice the win.

LHS falls at Clarksville High
CLARKSVILLE -- Lebanon High's season came to an end in the Region 5AAA quarterfinals Friday night as the Devilettes dropped a 53-26 decision at District 10AAA champ Clarksville High.

Lebanon wrapped up the season 16-12 overall under first year coach Larry Joe Inman. Clarksville advances to the regional semifinals with a record of 29-3.

Marsissa Jennings had 18 points in her Devilette swansong -- including a couple of 3-pointers. No other LHS player broke into double figures.

Friendship ousted
LEBANON -- Clay County rallied from 16 points down in the second half to defeat Friendship Christian 52-48 Friday in the Region 4A quarterfinals at the Bay Family Sportsplex.

Clay County, the no. 3 team out of District 7A, advances to the region semifinals Tuesday night at Watertown vs. Jackson County in a 6 p.m. loser-out game.

Friendship (17-10) was just 6-of-15 at the free throw line on the night. Freshman Deja Jones led the Lady Commanders with 17 points.

District 9AAA Regular Season Basketball Awards as voted on by the
coaches.

Girls MVP:  Caya Williams: Mt. Juliet

Girls All-District Team
Alex Banks: Beech
Julia Fox: Lebanon
Marissa Jennings: Lebanon
Paige Baugher: Mt. Juliet
Helen Mitchner: Mt. Juliet
Emily Gurchiek: Mt. Juliet
Jessie Brown: Portland
Kia Perry: Station Camp
Cheyenne North: Station Camp
Ieshia Hassell: Wilson Central
Sydney Vanlandingham: Wilson Central

Girls Coach of the Year:  Chris Fryer: Mt. Juliet

Boys MVP:  Caleb Chowbay: Mt. Juliet

Boys All-District Team
Seth Brown: Beech
Toby Lee: Beech
Anthony Woodard: Gallatin
Tremaine Smith: Gallatin
Jeff Long: Hendersonville
Cameron High: Lebanon
Evan Brown: Mt. Juliet
Brad McClung: Station Camp
Mark Brown: Station Camp
Dee Oldham: Wilson Central
Malcolm St.Louis: Wilson Central

Boys Coach of the Year:  Bobby Luna:  Gallatin