Compton, Cobb Help Pioneers Recover

LEBANON, Va. – As impressive as Lebanon’s start was in the old year – the Pioneers won six of their first seven games – things were bound to get a lot more interesting once the Clinch Mountain District schedule began in the new one.

And with a little more than six minutes remaining Friday night, things were maybe a little too interesting for Lebanon’s liking. Lee High’s Tyler Maggard had just driven to the basket to give the Generals what appeared to be a commanding eight-point lead.

That’s when Cody Compton and Jerome Cobb took over, leading the Pioneers to a 44-38 district win.

They combined to score all the points as the Pioneers went on a 14-2 run to take the lead. Lee High went almost four minutes during that stretch without scoring.

“We just made too many silly turnovers late,” Lee High coach Steve Collier said. “When we had the eight-point lead, we got in to big a hurry with the basketball. We were playing like we were behind instead of ahead. We can’t do that. We have to keep our composure.”

Compton used a “back door” cut and Andrew Jessee hit him with a perfect pass for a layup to tie the game at 32-all. Cobb then scored on a turn around jump shot to put the Pioneers up two. Compton finished the run with a set shot and Lebanon led 38-34 with 1:30 to play.

Scotty Woliver kept it close for the Generals with six of his seven points coming in the final eight minutes. But once Lebanon took the lead, it began working the clock and Lee High had to foul. The Pioneers made six of their seven shots from the line during the final 47 seconds of the game.

“My kids fought back and really showed what they were made of the last six minutes of the game,” Lebanon coach Thad Lambert said. “We were able to get our full-court pressure defense going. I thought it really bothered them and we were able to get some easy, quick buckets out of it. The momentum just totally changed but we were lucky to get out of here tonight with a win.”

The Generals committed 18 turnovers in the game, with seven coming in the fourth quarter. Lee High also had problems from the free-throw line, sinking just two of its eight tries.

Jordan Lanningham led the Generals with 11 points, but all came in the first half.

Compton (18 points), Cobb (16) and Jessee (10) combined to score all of Lebanon’s points.

Lambert said the Pioneers know they narrowly dodged an upset on their home floor in the opening CMD game of the season.

“Lee came in here and took it to us,” he said. “I think the kids might have overlooked them a little. Lee didn’t back down and took it right at us. It was a dogfight the whole way.”

Both teams play again on Tuesday. Lee (4-5, 0-1) will host J.I. Burton. Lebanon (7-1, 1-0) plays host to Virginia High.

GIRLS
Lee High 57, Lebanon 28
Lee High capitalized on a big third quarter against the Pioneers.

Lebanon (1-7) played well in the first half and trailed just 18-13 until Lee’s Hillary Mitchell hit a 3-pointer from half court just before the buzzer.

That gave Lee High the momentum heading into the second half.

“We committed two turnovers our first two possessions in the third quarter, “Lebanon coach Rex Parker said. “They scored and got the lead to double figures. They hit a lot of shots in the second half.”

Lee High (6-3) got 15 points from Mackenzie Cluesman and 10 from Chelsea Cluesman. Senior Allie Smith provided most of the offense for Lebanon with 15 points.