With the game on the line in a one-point differential, teams typically want their leader to make the needed plays.

That’s just what the Cascade Champions got on Tuesday night against Marshall County.

With the Champions (2-3) clinging to a slim, one-point lead with less than a minute to play, it was senior Seth Countess who came up with a pair of stops on the defensive end of the court and followed with the game-winning rebound to secure the 40-39 victory over the Tigers.

“Seth has been a leader from Day 1 with his voice and his attitude and body language and approach. He’s really helped build this thing,” Champion coach Chris Lawson said.

Countess came up with stops on the defensive end of the court, the first of which came with two minutes left in regulation, and the second a minute later.

Marshall County (3-3-1) had a chance to win the game with 10 seconds left when DeVonte Davis pulled up for a baseline jumper, only to be rebounded by Countess to secure the Champs’ second-straight victory.

“He (Countess) is just an effort guy. He’s just a hustle player. At the end of the game, he’s tired, but you see the same kind of effort from him. He’s really, really special,” Lawson said.

The game began as a chess match with the Champions attempting to slow the game in the half court with multiple passes and lengthy possessions that resulted in Cascade building a 12-7 lead by the end of the first quarter.

Cascade orchestrated its game plan to near perfection, working the ball to the block and converting with shots in the post.

That theme continued into the second quarter when Cascade kept the Tigers scoreless for nearly the final six minutes of the half.

Marshall County’s Carson Wright connected on a basket with 5:33 left in the half, but the Tigers struggled to put any points on the board for the following five minutes.

Cascade on the other hand added seven more from four different players, stretching the lead to 21-13 by the half.

“Our game plan was to take them out of their game. They’re very, very athletic. What we wanted to do was make them slow down, make passes, and think a little bit, whereas they’re used to speeding up and taking the ball to the rim,” Lawson said.

The Tigers shifted momentum to their favor in the third frame, however, and were able to work the ball in transition, which forced Cascade to play more of an up-tempo style.

While Marshall County was able to tie the game with 2:08 left in the third, Cascade never surrendered the lead and was able to execute well enough in the clutch to hold on for its second-straight victory.

“I think it’s a really good way to show this team to win. This was a very different look than who we played on Friday night. I think these close games, you learn a whole lot more about how to play in tight games and really more than that, have positive possessions and give yourselves a chance to win,” Lawson said.

Senior Ethan Swan was the only player in the game to reach double figures with 13 points. Countess added eight for the winners.

As a team, the Champs connected on 8-of-13 attempts at the line, but were held scoreless from the perimeter.

Marshall County didn’t have a single player reach double digits in the scoring column, but was led by Silas Hurt’s eight points.

Tuesday’s victory differed significantly from Friday’s win over Forrest, as Cascade was able to rally for 22 points in the fourth quarter and win by double figures.

Against the Tigers, Lawson was pleased to see his team execute with little time on the clock and grind out a win against an athletic team.

“I can’t give our guys enough credit. They fought, fought, and fought. They deserve it. They’ve worked their tails off,” he said.

Cascade will be back on the road on Friday and will travel to cross-county rival Community for a 7:30 tip-off.

Marshall Co. 7 6 15 11 — 39

Cascade 12 9 10 9 — 40

Marshall Co.: Silas Hurt 8, Bryson Hughes 6, Kaamil Hazel 6, DeVonte Davis 6, Jaamil Hazel 5, Omarion Alred 4, Jayden Hart 2, Carson Wright 2.

Cascade: Ethan Swan 13, Seth Countess 8, Alex Allison 7, Jackson Davis 5, Landon Lane 2, Lucas Clanton 2, Chance Brown 2, Izzy Batts 1.

3-Point goals: Marshall Co. (3): K. Hazel, J. Hazel, Hughes.

Halftime score: Cascade 21, Marshall Co. 8.