TRENTON, Ga. -- The only previous blemish on the Dade County Wolverines' record this season came when they crossed over the state line into Tennessee and found the Howard Hustlin' Tigers laying in wait.
Friday, the Wolverines against tasted defeat at the hands of a Tennessee school -- but this time the setback came on their own court, as the Walker Valley Mustangs won the nightcap in the inaugural Santa Slam by an 81-60 final.
A 34-point third quarter turned what had been a Walker Valley comeback efforrt into a romp.
Jackson Brownfield dominated the inside game and led the Mustags (8-6) with 17 points. Lukas Korn added 13 and Caio Hysinger posted a dozen. Dade County (9-2) got a game-high 22 from Cole Birchfield and 11 from Nic Gaddis.
Walker Valley plays Ridgeland today at 5:30 as the two-day classic concludes at Dade County High School. Dade County will follow that with a 7 p.m. contest with East Ridge, while Marion County and Signal Mountain open the day's play at 4.
Walker Valley 10 18 34 19 -- 81
Dade County 17 11 16 16 -- 60
Walker Valley (81) -- Anthony 2, Harwood 6, Caio Hysinger 12, Melton 3, Cartwright 6, Korn 13, Morrow 3, Russell 4, Crews 1, Swafford 9, Browfield 17, Hunt 5
Dade County (60) -- Mai, Cole Birchfield 22, Stephens 3, Howard 9, Chitwood 2, Sharp, Smith 2, Clynt Bell 10, Nic Gaddis 11, Walden, Cole, Page 1
Records: Walker Valley (8-6); Dade County (9-2).