Tigerettes Lose in Sub-State to Waverly Central
Sometimes things just aren’t meant to be. This past week the Macon County High School Tigerettes battled their way thru Region 5AA play and into the Sub-State at Waverly Central High School.
On Monday Feb 27th, MCHS played David Lipscomb in the second round of the Region 5AA Tournament. The Lady Mustangs tried to spread out the Macon team, relying on athleticism and movement without the ball. The Tigerettes seemed well prepared and unshaken by what they saw throughout the game and threw a few things at Lipscomb themselves.
In the opening quarter, things heated up in a hurry. Seniors Katie Reid, Calamity Coley, and Katelyn Bean inserted their will on Lipscomb, scoring sixteen points and leading Macon to a 20-14 lead after one. However the Mustang defense stiffened and Lipscomb went on a run. The iron went cold for the Tigerettes and they trailed 27-28 at halftime. Junior Wing Terra Pryor made two big three pointers as Macon exploded in the third. Coley chipped in eight more and Macon seemed to wear down David Lipscomb. After three MCHS led 45-36. The Tigerettes managed to make just enough of their free throws, 7 of 12, in the final period to hold off the Mustangs. Final score MCHS 62 Lipscomb 51.
Scoring were: Kelsey Gregory 6, Kailyn Brooks 3, Terra Pryor 12, Katie Reid 12, Calamity Coley 19, and Katelyn Bean 8. Briley Driver, Reese Shrum, Leah Anderson, Michaela Thompson, and Whitney Wilburn all played but did not score.
MCHS would met Christ Presbyterian in the Region 5AA finals. The intensity and pressure spent by both teams in this game would be impressive. Juniors Kelsey Gregory and Kailyn Brooks got Macon off to a good start, hitting a three pointer each and scoring eleven points. After the first quarter MCHS led 15-14. Baskets just would not fall as the Tigerettes go 4 of 12 in the second period and find themselves down 25-28 at the half. Coach Beam lit a fire under these girls and Gregory, Brooks, and Terra Pryor and came out and hit three pointers in the third. In an inferno of a gym, Macon led 49-46 after three periods. This was a game of runs, first by us then by them and back and forth again and again. Macon had a lead late, but could not close the deal, going 12 of 20 from the free throw line in the fourth quarter. CPA Guard Meridith Roman sank 3 free throws with 2.7 seconds in the game to send it into overtime. In the final period CPA goes 8 of 9 from the charity stripe and nudges the Tigerettes at the end. Final score CPA 77 MCHS 70 in a great high school basketball game.
Scoring were: Gregory 16, Brooks 17, Pryor 7, Reid 10, Coley 18, and Bean 2. Driver played but did not score. Calamity Coley and Kelsey Gregory were both named to the All-Region team.
With the loss the Tigerettes would still play in the Sub-State. They would have to travel to Waverly Central to play a team they beat at home last year in the same round with a bucket at the buzzer.
The Macon faithful made the 2 ½ hour drive southwest to cheer on this team. Once again Waverly would try to spread out the Macon defense and score on the dribble-drive and the long range shot. In the first, the Tigerettes couldn’t capitalize on their possessions, going 6 of 12 from the field. After one Waverly leads 14-12. The Tigerettes would battle hard, but just couldn’t keep the lid on Waverly’s long range shot. At the half Waverly stretches the lead to five, 24-19. The Tigerettes would step up their game in the third with Pryor hitting two big three pointers. At the end of the third quarter Macon would trail 37-39. The excitement builds as these teams see the game tied four more times down the stretch. MCHS had half court shot at the end of regulation hit the rim, but we would. In overtime, one team just got the bounce, created the points, got the breaks, and made the shots to win the game. The Tigeretts had the ball, down one point with the chance to win. However, it just wasn’t in the cards for this belle to dance at the ball in Murfreesboro this year. Final score in overtime Waverly 59 Macon 56.
Scoring were: Gregory 7, Brooks 10, Pryor 6, Reid 12, Coley 19, and Bean 4. Driver played but did not score.
The Tigerettes have had a great season. We say goodbye to four young ladies who have meant a lot to this program. Katie Reid, Calamity Coley, Katelyn Bean, and Michaela Thompson will be greatly missed. They were able to lead this Tigerette team to a 29-6 record and a District 9AA and Region 5AA Championships. Thanks Tigerettes!