UNIONVILLE — While the Community Viqueens eventually claimed a 53-37 win over cross-county rival Cascade (0-6), the Purple and Gold never truly felt comfortable with any lead until the final buzzer sounded.

Community (6-5) utilized a strong defensive effort and capitalized off several turnovers to hold on for the 16-point win.

“It's always good with a big cross-county rival. I feel like we played well tonight, but we just couldn't put them away. Give Cascade credit, they hung in and kept it a close game the whole way,” Viqueen coach Cody Pierce said.

Community enjoyed its biggest lead after working back court traps out of a zone defense that forced several Lady Champion turnovers, which turned into points in transition for Community.

“We just trapped out of our zone. I think we had 22 steals and usually steals mean points on the other end,” Pierce added.

“Our biggest thing is, when we get under pressure, we get rattled. They have to slow the game down in their mind and run the plays and execute,” Cascade coach Kelly Davis said.

It wasn't all bad for the Lady Champs.

Senior Carmen Ray led the Lady Champs and was the only player to reach double figures with 15 points.

Cascade also shot it well from the perimeter, making good on four treys, with Makenna Lamb connecting on two.

Community's M.J. Simmons was able to overcome a double-team effort by Cascade and led all scorers with 16 points.

“They were doubling her (Simmons) a lot. Other players had to step up,” Pierce said.

Jesa Moore gave Community valuable minutes as well and added 11 points, while Lamb chipped in eight points off the bench for Cascade.

Cascade also got a limited, but productive outing by Kylie Calvert, who is coming off an injury that's kept her sidelined through the early portion of the season.

While only seeing the floor in the final minutes, Calvert made an immediate impact and forced a Viqueen turnover, which set up a three-point play for Cascade.

“I hope she's back within the next week or two. We're taking it day by day because we don't want to get her reinjured and have a set back. But I believe she can be a difference maker for us,” Davis said.

For Community, Pierce hopes Friday's win will continue to show his team's improving trend in what's been an up and down season so far.

“We're trying to be more consistent. We're working towards January and February,” he said.

Cascade will be back on its home floor on Tuesday, hosting Central Magnet school, while Community will host Moore County.

Both games are set for a 6 p.m. tip-off.

Cascade 7 11 7 12 — 37

Community 14 12 14 13 — 53

Cascade: Carmen Ray 15, Makenna Lamb 8, Caroline Stone 5, Jordan Green 4, Abby Littrell 3, Maddie Crosslin 2.

Community: M.J. Simmons 16, Jesa Moore 11, Addison Brothers 7, Aleah Wilson 5, Payton Davis 4, Zoey Dixon 4, Brianna Beech 4, Brianna Whitaker 2.

3-Point goals: Cascade (4): Lamb 2, Ray, Littrell; Community (1): Wilson.

Halftime score: Community 26, Cascade 18.