ROGERSVILLE - The Lady Greene Devils of Greeneville are district champions for the second year in a row, but it wasn’t easy. Grainger came out on fire and hung neck-and-neck with the Lady Devils for one half, but eventually Greeneville's defense wore them down on the way to a 61-39 win in the District 2-3A title game.
The Lady Grainger Grizzlies started the night with Adsion Hayes missing a three from the corner, but she was fouled and made all three free throws. on the next trip down the court Hayes’ corner three was good. Makayla Scott’s bucket and-one had Grainger fired up and in front early at 9-3.
Then at the 2:41 mark of the first quarter Anna Shaw completed a bucket and-one of her own and the Lady Devils were on the march. Bailey cut the score to 14-13 but Hayes answered with a deep elbow triple. Kyla Jobe finished the period with a buzzer beater and the Lady Devils were only down two at the end of one quarter, 17-15.
Tournament and regular season MVP Lauren Bailey said, "They came out swinging and they were ready, and we still trying to get into the game."
Jobe put the Lady Devils up 18-17 with triple from the wing to start the second quarter. Maddie Hurst made a layup through traffic and her free toss was good as the Lady Grizzlies regained the lead at 20-18.
Chloe Marsh’s layup in transition tied the score at 20-20 then the Lady Devils took the lead on a Marsh up and under layup through contact. Her free throw was good to give the Lady Devils the 23-20 lead.
Leading 30-25 with 3.7 seconds left in the first half the Lady Devils got two and-one chances, Dalaina Martin missed her free throw but Bailey was there with the put back and her free toss was good to put Greeneville up 35-25 at the half.
In the third quarter the Lady Devil defense took over, only allowing the Lady Grizzlies five points while scoring 17 of their own.
Shaw hit a step-back three from the key and Jobe followed with a triple from the elbow. Just seconds later Jobe nailed another from the same stop and the Lady Devils were up 46-27 midway through the third quarter.
The Lady Devils finished the quarter up by 22 points at 52-30. The fourth quarter was a show of sportsmanship, the Lady Devils dribbled the ball around for the last minute to win the District Championship.
Jobe Lead all scorers with 17 points while Bailey had 15 points and Shaw finished with 13. Martin, Jobe and Shaw joined Bailey on the All-Tournament Team.
Coach of the Year Annete Watts said, "They’ve earned it all, this bunch is so dedicated in what they are wanting to do.”
Greeneville will be back in action on Friday in the Region 1-3A quarterfinals against Sullivan East at home.
Greeneville
Bailey 15, Martin 6, Shaw 13, Jobe 17, Marsh 7, Ellenburg 3
Grainger
Hayes 13, Sneed 8, Hurst 8, Hayes 2, Tanner 3, Scott 5
