Cheatham Middle made a statement on Thursday night, sweeping rival Harpeth Middle in a conference basketball doubleheader at Michael Carter Gymnasium in Ashland City. From the opening tip of the girls’ game to the final buzzer of the boys’ matchup, the Musketeers controlled the tempo, executed when it mattered, and walked away with a pair of hard-earned wins.
Lady Musketeers Set the Tone Early
The girls’ game set the tone for the night. Cheatham Middle’s Lady Musketeers jumped out to a fast start and never let Harpeth fully recover, securing a 31-26 win.
The opening quarter saw CMS grab a 12-7 lead, and they carried a 17-12 advantage into halftime. The third quarter was where they really tightened their grip on the game, stretching the lead to 24-15.
Harpeth made things interesting in the fourth, cutting the deficit to two possessions, but the Lady Musketeers held firm down the stretch. It was a gritty finish, but Cheatham’s early work gave them just enough cushion to ride out the rally.
Jensie Orange was the engine behind CMS’s offense. The younger sister of Cheatham County Central standout Emma Orange, she showed that basketball talent runs deep in the family. Orange poured in 13 points to lead all scorers, including 11 in the first half when the Lady Musketeers were building their lead.
Supporting her were Kinsey Campbell and Lilly Waldron, who each came alive in the second half with six points apiece. Waldron’s contribution included the team’s only three-pointer of the night-a timely shot that helped keep Harpeth at bay. Gracelyn Hamm chipped in four points, and Jaylee Hall added the final two to round out the scoring for CMS.
For Harpeth, Zy Owens led the charge with 12 points, while Martinia Owens added eight, including the Lady Indians' lone three-pointer. Sophia Duncan, Kaylin Bell, and Jaycie Cundell each added two points, but the comeback came up just short.
Musketeer Boys Withstand Harpeth Push
The boys followed suit in the nightcap, using a strong start and a resilient finish to secure a 41-30 victory. CMS jumped out to an 8-2 lead in the first quarter and held a 16-10 edge at halftime.
But Harpeth wasn’t going away quietly. The Indians clawed back in the third, trimming the deficit to just three points at 23-20 heading into the final frame.
That’s when Cheatham dug in.
The Musketeers responded with a composed and confident fourth quarter, outscoring Harpeth 18-10 to seal the win. It was a balanced offensive effort, with eight different players getting on the board-a testament to the team’s depth and unselfish play.
Abel Crawford and Wyatt Shadowens led the way with nine points each, showing poise in key moments. Skyler Carter added eight, while Brayden Manno and Hagan Pfeffer contributed five apiece. Jett Singleton and Traie Carson each scored two, and Amari Gilmore added one from the line to round out the scoring.
Harpeth’s offense was led by Michael Woods, who finished with seven points. Bennett Wallace, Jaxon Telford, and Jake Slot each added six, and Cameron Johnson chipped in five to complete the scoring for the Indians.
Looking Ahead
Both teams are right back at it on Monday. Harpeth Middle will look to bounce back at home against Hillsboro, while Cheatham Middle hits the road to face another county rival in Sycamore Middle.
For Cheatham, Thursday night was more than just a sweep-it was a showcase of team chemistry, timely scoring, and the kind of defensive grit that wins games in December. With both squads finding their rhythm, the Musketeers are looking like a team no one wants to see on their schedule right now.