CENTRE – So far in the 2009-10 basketball season, the Cedar Bluff Tigers have been able to capitalize on the other team’s mistakes, especially at the crucial moments in games.

On Monday night, Sand Rock turned the Tigers’ trait against them early in their Cherokee Invitational semifinal game.

The Class 2A, No. 6 Wildcats (9-2) jumped out to a big lead early in the first quarter and didn’t look back in capturing a 68-47 victory over the Class 1A, No. 2 Tigers (9-1).

The win clinches a berth in Tuesday’s tournament title game, where the Wildcats will face Cherokee County at 7:30 p.m. in the Gadsden State-Cherokee Arena.

Against Cedar Bluff, Brannon Burt led the way for Sand Rock by scoring 20 points, including four 3-pointers, He also grabbed three rebounds and dished out three assists.

Justin Kyser added 13 points, with most of those coming at the free-throw line. He hit 7 of 9 shots from the charity stripe.

Riley Norris had nine points and nine rebounds. Chad Thompson finished with six points and six boards.

Despite the win, Sand Rock coach Brian Mackey was displeased with how his team finished out the game.

“We didn’t play good, and we’re lucky they didn’t play good,” Mackey said. “We played a good first half, and that was key. We shot the ball well and played well. We took care of the ball and didn’t turn it over, and that’s the key to beating them. If you have turnovers against them, they’re going to score. Their front line is going to get it and go. The second half, we just got sloppy, but we got a ‘W’ and that covers for all our mistakes.”

What Mackey was partially referring to was Cedar Bluff’s open looks at the basket. However, the Tigers couldn’t establish any type of consistent rhythm.

“I don’t know what the problem was tonight,” Cedar Bluff coach Joe Carpenter said.

“We didn’t take the shots that we had open. We forced shots and we didn’t take the shots we normally could take. We went 0 for 12 in the first half from the free-throw line, and that’s huge. We ended up shooting 8 for 24 from the free-throw line.

“Defensive-wise, I still think we had enough chances where we could have capitalized, but we didn’t. We didn’t box out well. We didn’t rebound well. Pretty much, we didn’t do a lot of the things we’re capable of doing.”

DeAngelo Hardy led the Tigers with 18 points. He also had two assists, a rebound and a steal. Tyric Scales added 17 points, seven boards and two steals. Marcus Reese finished with five points, three rebounds and a steal.

Sand Rock jumped out to a 22-9 lead at the end of the first quarter. The Wildcats led 38-15 at the break and held a 49-31 advantage heading into the fourth quarter.