Cannon Co. boys win Region 4-AA title

Cannon County completed a Region 4-AA sweep on Saturday night with a 63-59 win over Livingston Academy at Sequatchie High.

Josh Ruehlen led the Lions (28-5) with 17 points and was named the region tournament MVP.

Cannon County will host the Region 3-AA runner-up at 7 p.m. Tuesday in a Class AA sectional game with the winner advancing to the TSSAA Boys Basketball State Championship held March 11-14 at MTSU’s Murphy Center.

Chattanooga Central and Brainerd play Monday in that championship game.

The region championship is the first in 30 years for Cannon, which ironically was a win over Livingston Academy at Sequatchie County. That team, which included Siegel girls basketball coach Alan Bush, is the only Cannon boys team to have ever reached the state tournament.

“That means a lot to win this,” Cannon County coach Matt Rigsby said. “Last night with the girls playing we had a split crowd and we still had a quarter of the gym here (Friday night).

“And the girls had just as many. This town will travel. They don’t say anything. They just do it. If anyone deserved to get a home game, this crowd does.”

It’s definitely aluxury. Somebody is coming to us. End of day. Won’t know who their opponetnt. Allows us some rest time.. again.. I’m thankful any time. Robert A Harris Gymnasium.

The sectional appearance is the Lions’ first since 2011 when Cannon County were forced to travel to Chattanooga Howard.

The win was the third over the Lions’ District 8-AA rival this season. It came a night after the Lionettes defeated Central Magnet in the girls championship in Cookeville.

Austin Martin scored 15 points. Teammate A.J. Daniel added 14 and Jacob Nave had 12. All three were named to the all-tournament team along with Ruehlen.

Cannon County will have a chance to enjoy more rest than both Chattanooga Central and Brainerd, who are playing the day before their sectional.

“It’s definitely going to be a luxury for us playing at home,” Rigsby said. “Somebody is coming to us. We won’t know who their opponent is until Monday, but they won’t who they are playing until then either.

“This allows us some rest time. And we’ve got five seniors that have meant so much for this program that I’m excited to know they get one more game at home.”