NEWPORT-The Cocke County High School freshman boys’ basketball team picked up a victory at home over Cherokee on Monday night.

The victory, which came by a 48-37 margin, allowed the Fighting Cocks to sweep the season series over Cherokee.

CCHS won the season’s earlier game between the two schools on December 10.

Despite trailing after a quarter, Cocke County pulled into control of the game with a solid defensive effort in the game’s second quarter.

CCHS allowed only two points in the pivotal period and allowed them to turn a 16-14 deficit into a 28-18 halftime lead. Cherokee had success shooting the ball in the opening quarter by connecting on eight field goals. However, they would hit on only eight the remainder of the game.

Keary Nease bombed a trio of three-point baskets in the opening half, while Addison Fancher and Jacob Jackson each had three field goals apiece in helping Cocke County to their double-digit halftime edge.

The defensive stand, which also translated into a number of easy baskets in transition off of steals, also allowed the Big Red to buid a big enough cushion to hold off a rally by the Chiefs in the third quarter.

CCHS was limited to a pair of third quarter field goals, but still exited the quarter with a slim 34-31 lead.

The lead, which eventually was trimmed down to a single point in the early stages of the fourth quarter, however again increased on the strength of the Fighting Cocks defensive efforts.

Cocke County quickly built their lead back to nine points and never looked back en route to the 11-point victory.

Fancher and Nease led CCHS with 12 points each. Jacob Jackson added 11.

Kaleb Trent led the Chiefs freshman squad with 12.

CCHS returns to action on Thursday night at Morristown West.

COCKE COUNTY (48): Addison Fancher 12, Keary Nease 12, Jacob Jackson 11, Jarod Jackson 6, Jacob Varner 4, Dorian Dockery 3.

CHEROKEE (37): Kaleb Trent 12, Drinnon 11, Owens 7, Felder 4, Brewer 2, Ellison 2.