DUNLAP, Tenn. - Given Chattanooga Christian's penchant for wanting to go inside with the basketball early in its games, Sequatchie County boys' coach Jason Smith thought playing a zone defense would at least make that quest a little more difficult Tuesday. And it would help if the Chargers had an off night shooting the ball.
"Tonight wasn't one of those nights," Smith said.
Of the Chargers' 13 first-half field goals, seven came from outside the arc. That helped them build a 21-point halftime lead, which proved to be too much to overcome by the Indians and CCS came away with a 58-33 victory in the District 7-AA game.
CCS (16-2, 5-0) solidified its hold on the top spot in the standings, dropping Sequatchie (10-6) to 3-2.
"That's big for us," Chargers coach Eddie Salter said. "That gives us a little cushion, knowing again we've got to work. There are no gimmes in this league. They've got a good team. They're still going to be a team to be reckoned with."
Actually it was the Indians who started the game by making two 3-point shots, but CCS outscored them 27-9 from 3-point range the rest of the way.
"They're a pretty good shooting team," Smith said of the Chargers. "They're big and strong, and they've also got some kids that can shoot it. They rebound well. They can put it on the deck. And they can shoot the ball."
Ryan Rhodes paced CCS with 18 points, including four 3-point goals. Amos Davenport also made four 3s and did so while scoring all 14 of his points in the last 5:27 of the first half.
"We like to work inside out," Salter said. "But we knew they were going to play like a 2-3 (defense). We had good ball movement and that gave us a chance to get some 3s. I think they were trying to give it to us, and fortunately we hit it."
The Chargers were held to five points in the third quarter but still led 43-26 going to the fourth.
"We made some defensive adjustments at halftime," Smith said, "but we had already dug a hole. It's hard to come back from 21 down at the half, no matter what kind of adjustments you make. You've got to give them credit. They did a good job."
Braden Lawson topped the Indians with 12 points, including scoring all nine of their third-quarter points.
Contact Kelley Smiddie at ksmiddie@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6653. Follow him on Twitter @KelleySmiddie.