By now, the Cascade Champions are used to playing in close ballgames. Finding ways to execute in the final seconds helped the Champions orchestrate an eight-game win-streak that ultimately landed Cascade the No. 1 seed in the District 8-A tournament.

During their previous meeting against Moore County, the Raiders handed the Champions their first 8-A loss of the season.

Bearing that stinging loss at the end of the regular season in mind, Cascade (13-10) wasn't about to let the Raiders (12-12) claim two-straight against the Champions.

In the District 8-A consolation game, Cascade overcame a sluggish first half, executed in the halfcourt and pulled away from the Raiders to finish third in the 8-A tournament with a 56-47 victory.

"We're used to being in a tight game. When we needed to, we knew where to get the ball. We got that thing to Alex Allison and he was really good tonight," Cascade coach Chris Lawson said.

Was he ever good.

Allison posted a game-high 17 points and dominated the boards to lead Cascade to the victory.

Early on, Moore County made the most of their shot opportunities and not only relied on an effective perimeter attack, but also an ability to get to the charity stripe and cash in on the free throw opportunities.

During the first half, Moore County went to the line and made good on 9-of-10 tries at the free throw line and cashed in on four treys, but lacked a consistency inside the paint, largely due to the Champs' decisive size advantage.

When it mattered most, the game plan was rather simple-get Allison the ball.

"We got him the ball and he went to the basket, he scored and he kicked it out a few times. He's grown so much as a player, when we have that physical presence inside to go along with a Justis Carter, it really makes us a tough team," Lawson said.

He piled on eight points in the first half, but dominated the glass in the second half and virtually eliminated the Raiders' second-shot opportunities.

"He's so big inside and he's hard to move. Guys just can't move him. He's got good hands and he's strong. If he gets it in his big paws, guys just aren't going to take it away from him," Lawson added.

Moore County held the lead through the entirety of the first half although Cascade never trailed by more than two possessions into the third quarter.

It was a put back basket by Allison at the 3:23 mark of the third quarter that knotted the game at 32 apiece.

Senior Seth Countess put Cascade on top by three when he was fouled on a made basket and connected on the shot after.

Moore County promptly tied the game at 35 on the ensuing possession on a three-pointer by Will Harder, only to be answered on a drive to the basket by sophomore Jackson Davis to put Cascade up by two with over two minutes left in the quarter.

Cascade never trailed again.

"We got behind a few times by a few points but we never gave up. I can't say enough about these guys and their grit and hustle. They found a way to hang in there, over come it and finish the deal at the end," Lawson said.

Still, Moore County refused to go away even into the final minute of regulation and cut the Champion lead to four points with 53 seconds left.

Over the course of the final 50 seconds, the Champs connected on 6-of-10 free throw tries to finish off the consolation game with a victory.

Allison's 17 points led all scorers while Davis also hit double figures and added 11 points.

Riley Holman was the lone Raider to reach double figures.

Moore County was effective throughout the contest shooting, cashing in on a total of seven made treys and was 16-of-23 at the free throw line.

The win keeps both squads alive in postseason play and sets up a Region 4-A quarterfinal game on Saturday evening.

For their efforts in the season, several Champions were honored for their play in the 2020-2021 campaign.

Alex Allison, Lucas Clanton, Seth Countess and Jackson Davis each earned All-District honors, with Justis Carter being named the District 8-A Most Valuable Player. Carter and Allison were also named to the All-Tournament team.

During his first season as head coach at Cascade, Lawson also took home District 8-A Coach of the Year honors as well.

Cascade will travel to District 7-A runner-up Merrol Hyde (13-7) for a 7 p.m. Saturday evening tip-off.

"They (Merrol Hyde) have a good team. They've played all season, whereas some of the other teams in the Nashville area haven't. They're going to be good and they're well-coached. We'll have to go play our best game," Lawson said.

Moore Co. 12 13 10 12 - 47

Cascade 10 13 16 17 - 56

Moore Co.: Riley Holman 10,Will Harder 9, Andrew Copeland 9, Brayden Cashion 7, Dylan Scruggs 7, Colton Bateman 5.

Cascade: Alex Allison 17, Jackson Davis 11, Justis Carter 8, Lucas Clanton 7, Seth Countess 5, Landon Lane 5, Chance Brown 3.

3-Point goals: Moore Co. (7): Holman 2, Harder 2, Bateman, Cashion, Copeland; Cascade (2): Davis, Brown.

Halftime score: Moore Co. 25, Cascade 23.