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Westmoreland eliminates Cheatham County from regional tournament




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NASHVILLE – The Westmoreland girls basketball team had beaten Cheatham County by double digits in two regular season meetings. 

For the Region 5-AA semifinals last Monday at Maplewood, Cheatham coach Jim Gibbs tried a new strategy: slow the game down and keep the ball away from the Lady Eagles. 

“We normally like to go up and down the floor,” Gibbs said. “I felt like we had to shorten the game and show them something that they didn’t expect. When we started holding the basketball, (Westmoreland) coach (E.J. Perry) looked at me and I just kind of winked back.”

Carlie Hogan drives past Westmoreland’s Alana Ekle.

Carlie Hogan drives past Westmoreland’s Alana Ekle.

The plan worked for the first half and Cheatham County held a 22-16 lead at the break. But Westmoreland adjusted at halftime and outscored the Lady Cubs 26-12 in the final two quarters for a come-from-behind 42-34 victory.

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“We pride ourselves on defense,” Westmoreland coach E.J. Perry said. “Our goal is (to allow) seven points or less per quarter. We got back to playing our way in the second half.” 

Westmoreland (29-4) advanced to Wednesday’s region title game, which it lost 42-34 to Maplewood. Cheatham County, the reigning TSSAA Class AA state champion, was eliminated. 

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Despite returning just one starter – Alli Douglas – from that team, the Lady Cubs (21-9) hit their stride late in the season after starting 5-4 with a revamped roster. 

“This team is a bunch of overachievers,” Gibbs said. “They put it on the line every night, and they were willing to (sacrifice) their bodies. That’s the type of scrappy team that we are. This team got better all year and we were playing our best basketball at the right time. We just couldn’t finish it.”

Westmoreland senior Avery Morris led all scorers with 17. She keyed a 10-1 run that lasted from the end of the third to midway through the fourth to help the Lady Eagles pull away. 

“She kind of took over,” Perry said. “She was getting rebounds and taking care of the ball. (Cheatham) tried to face guard her and she was still able to find her teammates and score 17 herself.”

Jordan Bandy added 10 for Westmoreland, while Paige Akins had 6. Douglas led Cheatham with 11 points. 

Cheatham loses five seniors to graduation including Douglas, Jesse Bumpus, Carlie Hogan, Carsen Moseley and Emma Woodall. The class finished their high school careers with a 107-17 overall record.

“They are winners,” Gibbs said. “Each team we have is an extension of my family. They’re just like more daughters to me. I’ve got one (daughter) but I feel like I’ve got 13 more (on the team).”

BOX SCORE

Cheatham County (34): Alli Douglas 11, Harper Dee 8, Jesse Bumpus 7, Lexus Cook 2, Carlie Hogan 2, Ashley Pfeffer 2, Katelyn Sisco 2. 

Westmoreland (42): Avery Morris 17, Jordan Bandy 10, Paige Akins 6, Leah Kendall 5, Alana Eakle 4.

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