TUSCUMBIA – Despite a 24-point outing from Coty Blanchard, the Cherokee County Warriors couldn’t come away with the win against Deshler in the Deshler Christmas Tournament Monday. The final was 52-48.

Keon Rucker added 12 points for the Warriors (7-5). Tyler Stubbs came away with four points.

A big key to the game was the free-throw shooting by the Warriors. They were 17 of 28 at the line, but despite missing 11 shots, the Warriors stayed in the game throughout.

The Class 4A, top-ranked Tigers held an 11-10 lead after the first quarter and a 24-23 advantage at the break. Deshler held a 36-34 lead heading into the fourth quarter.

“I was proud of the way we fought,” Cherokee County coach Shane Reid said. “We played like a young basketball team. We didn’t shoot well and we couldn’t rebound, but we kept the game close. I’m confident this game will help us down the road. This is the type of game that will make us better.”

The Warriors will play Sheffield tonight at 5:30 in the tournament consolation game. Deshler will take on Evangel Christian from Memphis in the championship following Cherokee County-Sheffield.

Weaver 74, Sand Rock 62 — At Gaston on Monday, four Weaver players scored in double figures as the Bearcats (7-6) advanced to the championship game of the Gaston Holiday Invitational.

Weaver held an 18-point advantage in the second half, then missed free throw opportunities as Sand Rock (9-6) narrowed the Bearcats’ lead.

Sedale Moore led Weaver with 18 points. Nick Gerowski and Grady Bragg both scored 13 for the Bearcats and Matt Craig finished with 11 points.

Piedmont 69, Towns County (Ga.) 34 — At Hiawassee, Ga. on Monday, Piedmont outscored host school Towns County 23-11 in the first quarter then 14-2 in the second, cruising to victory in the third place game in the Battles of the States tournament.

Jamal Johnson led Piedmont with 13 points and had seven rebounds. Marquise Diamond had 11 points, including a pair of 3-point baskets in the first quarter that helped the Bulldogs to their early lead. Point guard Christian Cantrell scored 10 points, all in the first half, and added nine rebounds, six steals and five assists.

Tay Holloway had eight points and six rebounds. Mookie Jackson added seven points and Chris Griffie had six rebounds.

Girls

Cedar Bluff 58, Faith Christian 30 — In Jacksonville on Monday, Cedar Bluff didn’t have much trouble defeating Faith Christian in the first round of the Jacksonville Christian tournament.

Jess Brannon led all scorers with 21 points. Brannon was also 9 for 11 from the free throw line for the Lady Tigers (3-7).

Faith Christian was led by Bobbie Gray, who scored seven points and pulled down nine rebounds. Chelsea Robinson also scored seven points for the Lions.