Not much separates Caldwell County and Union County on the basketball court this season.
The Tigers won at Union 87-83 early in the season. The Braves repaid the favor by winning at Caldwell 63-60 Tuesday night.
Union is now 15-7 while Caldwell is 15-8.
The rematch went back and forth, with Union leading 18-15 after one quarter, only to see Caldwell take a 31-29 edge to halftime.
The ballgame was tied 44-44 through three quarters.
The Tigers led early in the final frame before the Braves grabbed the upper hand late.
Caldwell’s biggest lead of the night was seven points in the second quarter.
Union led by six late in the fourth quarter, but a 3-pointer by Jabrion Spikes pulled Caldwell to within three at 63-60.
A missed free throw by the Braves gave the Tigers a chance to tie it. Caldwell got off two 3-pointers in the final 10 seconds but could get neither shot to fall as Union held on.
Four Braves scored in double figures. Izaiah Manuel had 19 points while Eli Mackey and Kaleb Kanipe each had 13. Ethan Corbett netted 11.
Spikes tallied a game-high 29 for Caldwell. Zavy Bumphus had 10.
Union has won six of its last seven games.
It was the fourth-straight loss for the Tigers, but all four of those games have been close affairs that were decided in the final minute.
Caldwell will host Madisonville-North Hopkins on Thursday with the No. 1 seed for the 7th District tournament up for grabs.
Union County 18 11 15 19—63
Caldwell County 15 16 13 16—60
Union County (15-7) — Manuel 19, Mackey 13, Kanipe 13, Corbett 11, King 4, Mayes 3.
Caldwell County (15-8) — Spikes 29, Bumphus 10, Ca. Whittington 8, Vivrette 5, Thompson 5, Englebright 3.
