Tigerettes Advance to Region Semi-Finals
The Macon County High Tigerettes advanced to the Region 4 semi-finals with a win over Grundy County on Feb 23rd at home.
Macon also finished the district 8AA tournament as runner-up to Upperman again this year.
The Tigerettes traveled back to TN Tech to play in the District 8AA championship game on Monday Feb 19th against Upperman. The Lady Bees had defeated the Tigerettes twice this season. The Tigerettes came out in a hybrid 1-3-1 defense and jumped out to a 7-0 lead enroute to a 14-4 lead after the first quarter. Upperman head coach Dana McWilliams got a technical foul from the bench early in the second quarter that seemed to rattle her team. However Upperman fought back and trailed Macon 20-25 at the break.
Macon committed just seven turnovers in the 1st half and shot 7 of 28 (25%) from the field and only 1 of 9 (11%) from behind the arc. They were 10 of 13 (76%) from the free throw line as Upperman committed 12 fouls in the first half.
However, the #1 ranked AP team in AA and defending state champion doesn’t wear that crown for no reason. Three quick baskets by Upperman and some intense full-court pressure forcing Macon turnovers and they were right back in the game. The Lady Bees tied the game 33-33 with 2:15 left in the 3rd and Macon goes scoreless for the remainder of the period. With the Lady Bees leading 38-33 heading into the final period the Tigerettes simply could never get any closer than three points. Final score was Upperman 50 Macon Co 43.
The Tigerettes finished the game 13 of 45(28%) from the floor and only 13 of 19 (68%) from the free throw line. They finished the game with 16 turnovers and gave up 10 points off turnovers.
Scoring was: Keeley Carter 19, Abby Shoulders 11, Jamie Ashburn 5, Jalynn Gregory 4, Marah King 2, and Kyndal Bullington 2. McKaylee Mix played but did not score.
Finishing 2nd in 8AA allowed the Tigerettes to host a first round Region 4 game on Friday Feb 23rd against Grundy County. Two minutes into this game and it wasn’t a game at all. The Tigerettes jumped out to a 16-7 lead after the 1st quarter and 32-16 at the break. The Tigerette looked sharp and played relatively well. Final score Macon 84 Grundy Co 41.
Scoring was: Carter 18, Gregory 17, King 13, Bullington 13, Shoulders 10, Mix 5, Jamie Ashburn 3, Scott 3, and Ward 2. Emily Ashburn played but did not score. The Tigerette defense forced a season high 24 turnovers resulting in 13 points.
This sets up a region semi-final showdown with Cumberland County, which is another top 5 AP ranked team. Game time is set for 6 pm on Monday Feb 26th.
