Post Photo by Chris Siers Gage Lovell battles his way through contact and finishes at the rim. He led the Bulldogs with 13 points.
By CHRIS SIERS
csiers@bedfordcountypost.com
CORNERSVILLE — For four full quarters, the Cornersville Bulldogs gave the Class 1A ranked Santa Fe Wildcats a huge scare.
From timely baskets, to key rebounds, Cornersville controlled the game for the entire first half and spurts of the second.
In the end, Santa Fe rallied on a massive third quarter run and escaped Cornersville with a 57-49 win over the Bulldogs.
Cornersville spread 14 points among three players in the first quarter, with Gage Lovell knocking down seven to lead the early charge.
While outscoring the high-powered Wildcats 14-10 in the first, Santa Fe rallied around Macon Adkison in the second quarter, who scored 12 of the team’s 13 points.
Still, a quick basket before the half maintained the Bulldogs’ 24-23 lead at the break.
The difference came on a 21-5 run in the third period.
Atkison continued his stellar play and added another 10 of his game-high 29 points, but got help from the rest of the lineup to the tune of three additional made 3-pointers.
In the third quarter alone, Santa Fe connected on five made treys, while Cornersville got just two field goals from Ben Franklin and Lovell.
While the third quarter saw the Wildcats catapult out in front, the Bulldogs weren’t down for the count.
Back to their bread and butter in the fourth, the hosts went on a 20-13 run and spread the offense among four players.
But even with the surge, Santa Fe mustered up enough offense to keep the ‘Dawgs at bay.
Lovell’s 13 points led the ‘Dawgs, while Franklin chipped in 10.
Adkison dumped in 29 for the Wildcats, while Andrew Graves added 14 more.
Santa Fe 10 13 21 13 — 57
Cornersville 14 10 5 20 — 49
Santa Fe: Macon Adkison 29, Andrew Graves 14, Cayden Counts 5, Kaleb Hazlett 4, Jax Slaughter 3, Austin Harlett 2.
Cornersville: Gage Lovell 13, Ben Franklin 10, Christian Finney 8, Kale Adcox 8, Ayden Campbell 4, Kale Cadox 3, Canaan Bennett 3.
3-Point goals: Cornersville (6): Adcox 2, Finney 2, Woodard, Bennett; Santa Fe (6): Adksion 4, Slaughter, Counts, K. Hazlett.
Halftime score: Cornersville 24, Santa Fe 23.
