FAYETTE &8212; Strong defense paid off for Jefferson County High School, as the Tigers jumped ahead early in the first half before cruising to a 78-45 victory over Wilkinson County Thursday night at home in the Jefferson County Holiday Tournament.

The Tigers&8217; defense gave up only seven points to the Wildcats in the first quarter, while the offense built a 14 point lead with big plays in the paint by Kadon Day and Joe Kemp, and hot shooting by Percy Turner and Keldrick Scott in the back court. Jefferson County closed out the first quarter leading 21-7.

Jefferson County continued to build on their lead in the second quarter, as Scott scored 13 second quarter points, with 12 points coming from behind the arc, while the Tiger defense held the Wildcats to just eight points to close out the first half with a 47-15 lead.

In the second half, Wilkinson County came out with a full court press on defense, which created some trouble for the Tigers and some fast break opportunities for the Wildcats&8217; offense. Wilkinson County outscored Jefferson County 18-13 in the third quarter to cut the Tigers lead to 27 as the Wildcats trailed 60-33 heading into the fourth quarter.

The Tigers got back to business in the fourth quarter, hitting the offensive glass hard, and outscoring the Wildcats 18-12. Day had eight fourth quarter points to on a 78-45 Jefferson County victory.

&8220;Our team philosophy all season has been strong defense generates easy offense,&8221; Jefferson County head coach Marcus Walton said after the game.

He said his team gets all the credit this game because they played as a disciplined, solid unit.

Walton said he was pleased with his team&8217;s performance in the tournament and thinks it as helped his team prepare for the heart of their district schedule, which begins on Jan. 2 against Bailey.

&8220;Its very important that we get our timing down,&8221; said Walton. &8220;That is what this tournament is for.&8221;

Wilkinson County head coach Arthur Clark said his team lost the tempo in the first quarter, and as a result fell behind early in the ball game.

&8220;We should have started in a tight man to man defense,&8221; Clark said.

He said his team went with a zone defense in the first half instead because they worried about their endurance later on in the game.

&8220;Hopefully this is a wake-up call for us. I think my guys will be willing to do more after this,&8221; said Clark.

&8220;You just cannot sit back in a zone against a good shooting team.&8221;

With the win the Tigers improved to 12-3 overall, and are a flawless 2-0 in district play.

With the loss the Wildcats fall to 14-4 overall and remain undefeated at 3-0 in district play.