By John Henson
Sports Writer

LOG MOUNTAIN — Three wins in four nights at the Redmond Auto Group Holiday Classic was the perfect Christmas present for Brad Sizemore and the Bell County Bobcats, who captured the tournament title Monday with a hard-fought 48-43 win over previously unbeaten Christian Academy of Knoxville, Tenn.
Bell County (7-3) won with defense, limiting the visiting Warriors to 17 points in the second half in a possession game that came down to half court execution down the stretch.
“That’s a really good team we beat. We came out fired up, and when we get focused I think we can really guard,” said Sizemore. “I’m just happy for these guys. I feel we lost a couple of games in December we shouldn’t have. They are staying with it, and it’s been a good weekend for us.”
Junior guard Blake Burnett led the Bobcats with 21 points as he was the most consistent weapon with numerous strong drives to the basket leading to field goals or free throws. Ethan Buell added 10 points and made three big plays in the final minute, beginning when the Bobcats were up by only two points. Buell stretched the lead to four as he scored off a drive, then forced a turnover on the other end, drawing a foul and hitting two free throws to push the lead to six. After a basket by CAK’s Caden Owens, Bell’s Cameron Hall hit one of two free throws to close the scoring.
“He’s played big all weekend,” Sizemore said of his sophomore forward. “We had a lot of guys step up. We’ve gotten better at defense and rebounding across the board. We’ve got several guys who can score. We have to move the ball and take what’s there. We’re a work in progress, but I think we have a chance to be pretty good the second half of the year.”
Owens, one of five senior starters, scored 16 points to lead the 13-1 Warriors. Zachary Coffman added 11 points.
Bell County returns to action Saturday in the Cumberland Falls Invitational Tournament at Corbin, taking on Somerset.
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Bell County (48) — Cameron Hall 5, Jaxon Thomas 7, Ethan Buell 10, Cayden Huff 5, Blake Burnett 21.
Christian Academy of Knoxville (43) — Will Kelley 2, Bryson White 6, Hunter Bennett 3, Zachary Coffman 11, Caden Owens 16, Jack Shaw 3, Anthony Hutchinson 2.

Christian Academy, Tenn. 14 12 5 12 — 43
Bell County 15 13 6 14 — 48