Defending Ladies Classic champion Wilson Central picked up right where they left off last year, gaining an early advantage over Cocke County and then turning back every challenge made by the Lady Red.

The Wildcats moved on to a 73-61 victory to improve to 10-3 on the year, while Cocke County falls to 11-4.

Jasmine Hassell, a University of Georgia commitment, got two early fouls and scored just seven first half points, but she finished with 23 for the game. She got offensive support from Kelsey McGee with 12 points and seven rebounds, while Taylor Peterson and Ieshia Hassell each dropped in 10.

Cocke County answered with 23 points and nine boards from Shannon Depew. Allie Sprouse scored 11. Morgan Buda, playing with a wrap over her broken nose, scored eight points and dished out eight assists.

Both teams shot well. Wilson Central hit seven 3-pointers and shot 54 percent from the floor (25-46). Cocke County hit 53 percent.

The Wildcats started strong with a 17-5 first quarter spread and built on that to a 39-23 halftime advantage. Cocke County made a second half run, closing to a single-digit deficit in the second half, but could get no closer than eight.

Wilson Central (73): Christopher 3-5 0-0 8, Jasmine Hassell 10-17 3-423, Kelsey McGee 3-5 6-8 12, Taylor Peterson 3-3 2-2 10, Wright 1-5 0-03, Ieshia Hassell 3-7 3-6 10, Wasson 2-4 2-2 7. TOTALS: 25-46 16-22 73.

Cocke County (61): Suggs 3-8 0-0 8, Buda 4-6 0-0 8, Lewis 2-6 3-4 7,Shannon Depew 10-16 3-3 23, Allie Sprouse 5-8 1-3 11, Lane 0-2 0-0 0,Walker 0-1 0-0 0, Pruitt 2-2 0-0 4. TOTALS: 26-49 7-10 61.

3-Point Goals: WC-7 (Christopher 2, Peterson 2, Wright, I.Hassell, Wasson). CC-2 (Suggs 2).

Score by quarters:

Wilson Central    17  22  17 17--73
Cocke County    5   18   19  19--61