Lady Mavs advance to Region
Take win from Lady Dragons to advance
Lady Mav Juliann Smith battles past Clinton senior Danyel Joy during District Tournament play last week. (photo:Conner McCarty )
The Lady Mavs (17-14) defeated Halls by three — The Lady Dragons (15-14) lost by three in overtime at Powell. Because of this Anderson County gained the fourth seed and a first round bye in the tournament from Clinton, who dropped to the fifth seed. After the Lady Dragons defeated eighth seeded Karns in the first round on Tuesday, the crosstown rivals would meet in for a third time this season.
Last Thursday, in the District 3-AAA Tournament Quarterfinals, Anderson County defeated Clinton 66-51. Anderson County would fall 63-44 to the top-seeded Campbell County Lady Cougars in the semifinal. However, the Lady Mavs’ final four appearance guarantees them a spot in the Region 2-AAA Tournament.
Playing your biggest rival is always a big game and always has that special feel to it.
“During the regular season, you want to beat them. But this game meant something because the loser goes home,” said Lady Mavs’ Head Coach Mike Ellis. In a fight to keep their season alive, this TSSAA District 3-AAA Quarterfinals contest was intense from the start—an up and down, run the floor affair.
The Lady Dragons would take an early 14-11 lead, but in the second quarter, Anderson County’s offense would start to get hot.
Both Tea’ Hickson and Callie Bowling entered the game in the second quarter and gave the Lady Mavs an offensive spark. Hickson put up eight points by knocking down a duce and two triples from downtown. Bowling would also hit a shot from beyond the arc, snag two points on a put-back off an offensive rebound, and hit a free throw to contribute six second quarter points. Anderson County’s 14 second quarter points off the bench would lead the Lady Mavs to a 30-25 advantage at the break.
In the third quarter, Anderson County’s slim lead began to grow. The Lady Dragons battled, and Danyel Joy’s nine third quarter points helped Clinton hang around. However, the Lady Mavs offense was too much for Clinton. Brooklin McCoy, who had nine points at halftime, continued to be productive with five third quarter points. Plus, the Lady Mavs continued to knock down triples. Maci Houser would hit two and Jayce Braden would connect once from beyond the arc.
With a quarter left to play, Anderson County led Clinton 48-38, but it would not take long for the Lady Mavs to extend their lead. The Lady Mavs would start the fourth quarter on a 16-4 run to put the Lady Dragons out of reach.
Anderson County’s 12 made attempts from beyond the arc, and a game-high 19 points for Brooklin McCoy would lead the Lady Mavs to reach the semifinals, eliminate their rival, and clinch a spot in the Region 2-AAA Tournament. With the 66-51 win, the Lady Mavs improved to 2-1 against the Lady Dragons this season. “Anytime you beat (Clinton) it’s a big win,” said Ellis.
Anderson County shot 22-of-44 from the floor, for 50-percent on the night. Four Lady Mavs finished the night with double digit scoring. Brooklin McCoy would finish the night with 19 points and nine rebounds. Maci Houser hit for 12 points.
Tea’ Hickson knocked down three attempts from beyond the arc and finished with 11 points. Callie Bowling hit two triples and hit five-of-six from the line, and finished the game with 13 points. “We’re playing pretty good right now and shooting the ball better. We just have to keep shooting it like we’re shooting it—that’s the key,” said Ellis.
Clinton struggled offensively, especially shooting, and hit just 19 of their 63 attempts from the floor, or 30-percent. Danyel Joy led Clinton in scoring in her last game as a Dragon, with 16 points.
Senior Kinley Martin followed with 12 points and seven boards. Senior Abbie Stinnett pulled down seven boards as well, and senior Nikki Jones finished the contest with six points.
Anderson County advanced to Saturday’s semifinal, where the Lady Mavs met top-seeded Campbell County. However, the Lady Cougars (27-3) started the game on an 18-8 run and never looked back.
Next up for Anderson County, the third seeded Powell Lady Panthers (21-8).
3-AAA Tournament Consolation game. Tipoff for that contest is scheduled for 6:00, on Tuesday, at Karns High School. The girls’ district championship game between Campbell County and Oak Ridge will follow the conclusion of the consolation game.