Senior Jabrion Spikes had a big game for Caldwell County — 25 points, 10 rebounds, four assists, two steals and a block — but when he got in foul trouble in the fourth quarter, it was up to the rest of the Tigers to hang on at Union County.
Carter Whittington scored seven of his 16 points in the final stanza — and went 5 of 6 at the free throw stripe in the frame — to help Caldwell nail down an 87-83 victory Saturday in the 6th District/7th District Shootout.
The Tigers (2-1) had five players score in double figures, and overcame a three-point halftime deficit with a huge third-quarter effort.
Down 45-42 at the break, Caldwell turned things around quickly in the second half.
A Zavy Bumphus 3-pointer was part of a 10-0 burst that put Caldwell in front to stay. A three-point trip by Spikes gave Caldwell a 56-48 advantage with 5:16 left in the period.
Caldwell finished the period with a 14-2 run to stretch the advantage to 70-53.
Spikes then scored from in close to start the fourth quarter, giving Caldwell its biggest lead of the night at 72-53.
All told, the Tigers outscored Union 26-5 during the spree after an Eli Mackey 3-pointer had given the Braves their last lead at 48-46 early in the third quarter.
But Spikes picked up his fourth foul with 7 minutes to play and spent over 2 minutes on the bench.
He had just returned to the court when he was whistled for his fifth foul. That came with 4:08 to play and Caldwell still up 77-64.
Union (2-1) responded with a 12-2 run that got it to within 79-76 on a Kaleb Kanipe bucket with still 2:19 to play.
The Braves could get no closer, but had a look at a game-tying 3 from Izaiah Manuel with 50 seconds to go that missed the mark with Caldwell up 83-80.
The Tigers made just enough free throws late to finish off the win, and were 25 of 38 at the stripe for the contest.
Union was 22 of 31 at the charity stripe.
Caldwell shot over 50 percent from the floor, connecting on 28 of 55 attempts. The Braves also shot well, hitting 28 of 52 attempts for 53.8 percent.
But Union turned the ball over 19 times in the contest while Caldwell had just nine miscues, despite facing full-court pressure from the Braves much of the second half.
Carter Whittington totaled 16 points for Caldwell, including a 9-for-11 showing at the free throw line. Bumphus and Collin Whittington each had 16 points as well. Demaurius Thompson added 10 points while Blake Vivrette had four points and six rebounds.
Union also had five players score in double figures, led by Mackey’s 19. Kanipe and Kris Hughes each had 17 while Iverson King got 15 and Manuel 12.
The lead changed hands six times in the first half, with three more lead changes in the second half.
Union still holds a 46-29 advantage in the all-time series.
Caldwell will be back in action on Tuesday when it visits Trigg County.
Caldwell County 20 22 28 17—87
Union County 20 25 8 30—83
Caldwell County (2-1) — Jabrion Spikes 25, Carter Whittington 16, Collin Whittington 16, Zavy Bumphus 16, Demaurius Thompson 10, Blake Vivrette 4.
Union County (2-1) — Eli Mackey 19, Kaleb Kanipe 17, Kris Hughes 17, Iverson King 15, Izaiah Manuel 13, Gabe Mayes 2.
