An inconsistent production on the offensive end of the court ultimately proved the Cascade Lady Champs' undoing in a 61-39 loss to district-leading Huntland on Tuesday night.

During the first meeting in January, Huntland utilized a second-half pressure defense that ultimately wore down the Lady Champs.

On Tuesday, Cascade weathered the Lady Hornet pressure a little better, but just missed too many shots around the rim and too many early game opportunities.

"We were 11 for 35 in the layup zone. It's difficult to win games if those are the numbers we're putting up. We had plenty of opportunities. I think that's what makes it so difficult for a loss like this," Lady Champion coach Kendall Hampton said.

In the first quarter, Cascade hung tough and limited the Lady Hornets to just two made field goals inside the arc.

Of Huntland's 13 first-quarter points, nine came from the perimeter.

By the end of the first quarter, Cascade had cut the Lady Hornet lead to just one possession.

With 5:25 left in the first half, Cascade guard Lani Jones went up for a layup, but instead of the made basket, was whistled for a charge.

Following the play, a technical foul was also assessed against the Lady Champions, which swung the momentum on a five-point swing in favor of Huntland.

From there, the Lady Hornets went on a 10-2 run over the following three minutes.

Even trailing by 11 at the half, Cascade wouldn't quit.

Caroline Stone kept Cascade in contention with a nine-point effort that led the Lady Champs in the quarter.

Freshman Abrielle Presley connected on a basket with 1:48 left in the third quarter, cutting Huntland's advantage to seven points.

But Huntland shrugged off the comeback bid with a 19-point fourth quarter, including six straight points to start the quarter.

Although it was a strong finish for the Lady Hornets, Hampton feels that earlier made shots could have altered the game's momentum and potentially set up a different outcome.

"If we had hit those earlier in the game, the momentum shifts. I think that's what's hanging us up in these games that end up with the same type of ending," she said.

"Our momentum isn't ever able to flip to us because we're not finishing at those times that could change that momentum for us."

Still, while the wins have been elusive for Cascade, what's not been hard to find was the effort and hustle Hampton gets from her roster, night in and night out.

"They keep fighting. I think as long as we have that fight, it will give us a chance to make a run at the end," she said.

Cascade will close the regular season on Thursday night against Jackson County before traveling for the opening round of the District 8-A tournament next week.

Huntland 13 17 12 19 - 61

Cascade 10 9 13 7 - 39

Huntland: Anna Stevenson 22, Ashtyn Danley 12, Bailey Morris 8, Brooklyn Morris 6, Kami Riley 4, Jocy May 4, Maddux Golden 4, Logan McLennan.

Cascade: Caroline Stone 14, Maddie Crosslin 6, Lani Jones 4, Abrielle Presley 4, Makenna Lamb 4, Jordan Green 4, Kylie Calvert 2, Annabelle Calvert.

3-Point goals: Huntland (4): Stevenson 4; Cascade (3): Crosslin 2, Jones.

Halftime score: Huntland 30, Cascade 19.