Friday Around UC Sports Nation: Cookeville, Cumberland Co., Warren Co. Advance to Championship Games in Tampa

Three teams from the Upper Cumberland will ring in the New Year on Saturday, with a chance to win the championship of their respective divisions at the Tampa Bay Invitational in Florida.

Cassie Gallagher and Jordan Gillies each scored 16 points, as the Cookeville Lady Cavaliers beat Union, OK, 53-39, in the semifinals of the Clearwater Beach division. The Lady Cavaliers (15-0) will take on Colonial, FL, for the championship on Saturday at 12:30 p.m. CST.

Meanwhile, Brienne Kelsey scored 15 points, and Kyra Perkins added 14, as the Warren County Lady Pioneers overwhelmed Newsome, FL, 57-17, to win their semifinal game in the Pass-a-Grill Division. Warren County (13-2) will meet Braden River, FL, for the division championship, Saturday at 12:30 p.m. CST.

Cumberland County punched their ticket to the championship game of the Treasure Island division, with a 51-42 victory over Booker, FL. The Lady Jets (8-6) play Providence Christian Academy of Murfreesboro for the Championship, Saturday at 2 p.m. CST.

In other games Friday, Abigail Johnson and Brooklyn Crouch each scored 20 points, as the Upperman Lady Bees (13-2) routed Lyle, KY, 65-36, in the consolation game of the Andrew Johnson Bank Ladies Classic in Greeneville. Meanwhile, the Cumberland County Jets’ quest to reach the title game of the Lido Key Beach division of the Tampa Bay Invitational fell short, as the Jets lost to Farragut, 51-47. Jackson Inman scored 18 points, and Kole Torres notched 13 in the loss. Cumberland County (4-9) will play Atlantic Shores Christian, VA in the consolation game, Friday at 3:30 p.m.