News Summary
In an unexpected turn of events, the Tennessee High Lady Vikings defeated the Elizabethton Lady Cyclones in the District 1-AAA semifinals with a score of 56-47. The victory propelled the Lady Vikings into the finals, while Elizabethton, without key players, will need to regroup to compete for third place. Addie Wilhoit was the standout player, scoring 18 points and leading her team to a hard-fought win. This thrilling game showcased the resilience and intensity of high school basketball in Tennessee.
Tennessee High Lady Vikings Shock Elizabethton Lady Cyclones in District 1-AAA Semifinals!
In a thrilling basketball showdown at Viking Hall, the Tennessee High Lady Vikings pulled off a surprising upset against the Elizabethton Lady Cyclones, winning the District 1-AAA semifinal game 56-47. With this victory, the Lady Vikings now advance to the finals, while Elizabethton, who was chasing a chance to compete for the championship, will have to regroup and play for third place.
The Build-Up
Fans filled the stands, excited to witness what many expected to be a competitive match. Elizabethton entered the game looking to secure a spot in the finals, after a strong season, where their confidence was bolstered by two victories over Tennessee High in the regular season. However, they faced a tough challenge right off the bat, as the team was without its key players, Jamira Smalls and Peyton McGee, who were battling illness.
First Half Action
The game kicked off with the Lady Vikings displaying impressive intensity, quickly building an early lead. Elizabethton struggled to find their rhythm and managed to score only four points in the first quarter. The Tennessee High squad was on fire, leading 33-23 at halftime. Addie Wilhoit shone bright during the first half, leading her team with 11 points, while Jasmine Jones added another eight to push the Lady Vikings ahead comfortably.
On the other side, Reagan May emerged as the focal point for Elizabethton, scoring a respectable seven points in the first half. Despite a tough first quarter for the Lady Cyclones, they showed moments of promise with contributions from Adrian Heading and Rylee May, who each scored three points.
Second Half Drama
As the second half unfolded, the Lady Cyclones began to chip away at Tennessee High’s lead. With fierce determination, they managed to reduce an 18-point deficit down to just two points early in the fourth quarter. It looked like Elizabethton might pull off a miraculous comeback, but the Lady Vikings had other plans.
When it came to crunch time, Tennessee High demonstrated impressive poise, converting free throws with accuracy to maintain their lead. Addie Wilhoit was the star of the show, finishing the game with a game-high 18 points, while Jasmine Jones added 17 points to secure the hard-fought victory.
Scoring Summary
Despite the loss, the Lady Cyclones fought hard. Reagan May topped Elizabethton’s scoring with 14 points, while Jasy Shell made an impressive impact by hitting three three-pointers and contributing 11 points. Other notable scores came from Jamira Smalls and Adrian Heading, who each netted seven points, followed by Rylee May with six points and Peyton McGee with two.
What’s Next for Elizabethton?
The loss places the Elizabethton Lady Cyclones in a must-win situation as they prepare to take on Unicoi County for third place. This crucial matchup is set for 6 p.m. on Monday at Viking Hall, and the stakes couldn’t be higher. The winner will then advance to face the District 2-AAA second-place finisher, while the losing team will go on to challenge the District 2-AAA champion.
Fans can expect an exciting game ahead as Elizabethton strives to bounce back from this setback. The heart and determination shown by both teams prove that the spirit of high school basketball is alive and well in Tennessee!
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Additional Resources
- Elizabethton Star
- Wikipedia: Lady Cyclones Basketball
- Johnson City Press
- Google Search: Elizabethton Lady Cyclones Basketball
- Elizabethton Star
- Google Scholar: High School Basketball Tennessee
- WJHL
- Encyclopedia Britannica: High School Basketball
- MaxPreps
- Google News: Elizabethton Girls Basketball
