Unaka erases 20-point deficit, tops North Greene for second straight district title

ELIZABETHTON — How tough does a team have to be to win a district title? The Unaka girls basketball team set the example. Overcoming a 20-point deficit in the first half, the Lady Rangers successfully defended their District 1-1A tournament championship, rallying past North Greene 56-51 at Bayless Gymnasium on Monday. Trailing 29-9 in the second quarter, Unaka suddenly came to life, cutting the halftime deficit to 31-24. Midway through the third, tournament MVP Michelle Shields gave Unaka its second lead of the night on a 3-pointer for a 37-35 edge. And when she rattled in a 3-pointer in the fourth quarter, Unaka suddenly led 48-35 after a 39-6 run. North Greene wouldn't go away either, getting within three points on four occasions starting with an Ella Head 3-pointer. Tralyn Southerland cut it to 54-51 with 17 seconds left, but Unaka held firm from there. Shields and Kalli Shepard led the Lady Rangers with 15 points apiece, Shields getting 13 of her points in the second half including three 3s. Shepard scored all of her points from behind the arc, knocking down her fifth triple in the third quarter. Emma Whitaker converted an and-one in the third quarter to give her 10 points. Brooklyn Campbell, who made all four of her free throws in the fourth quarter, ended with nine points. Southerland led North Greene with a game-high 22 points, 13 in the fourth quarter. Eva Leonard scored nine, all in the first half, and Head finished with eight. Unaka has a region quarterfinal bye, while North Greene will host Hancock County on Friday. Consolation Cloudland 46, Hampton 42 Savannah McCoury dropped 17 of her 19 points in the second half, helping the Lady Highlanders rally past their county rivals for third place. McCoury hit two 3s during her 10-point fourth quarter. Makinna Shell added eight points, and Abriella Jones seven. Hampton used a 9-0 run to take a 13-8 early, before Cloudland closed the halftime gap to 15-14. The Lady Bulldogs distanced themselves again in the third quarter with a 14-4 run, but Cloudland fought all the way back. Hannah Smith led Hampton with 14 points. Hannah Baird hit two 3s and finished with 12 points, while Daisy Parks had 10. The teams travel to either Washburn or Cosby, who will play in Tuesday's District 2-1A championship, for Friday's region quarterfinals. District 2-3A Greeneville 75, Cherokee 56 RUTLEDGE — Make it four district tournament titles in five years for the Greeneville girls basketball team. The Lady Greene Devils gained the upper hand early and never relinquished it Monday night, winning the District 2-3A tournament championship over Cherokee at the Grizzly Den. Maria Lyde led Greeneville with 24 points, 14 in the second half including 10 in the fourth quarter. Julia Woolsey and Brylee Tullock fired in 20 and 19 points respectively, while Allison Hayes made three 3-pointers to end with nine points. Greeneville came out of the gate red-hot, opening a 20-7 lead in the first quarter and taking a 37-22 advantage to the half. Rylee Sivert led Cherokee with 18 points, matching Addie Lawson with two 3-pointers. Kenady Deal and Lawson both scored 15 points. Greeneville entertains David Crockett for the Region 1-3A quarterfinal round Friday night, while Cherokee hosts Tennessee High. Consolation Grainger 57, Volunteer 45 Grainger, which reached 20 wins for the 13th time in the program's 18-year history and fifth time under coach Rusty Bishop, pulled away with a 9-0 run in the fourth quarter. Adison Hayes led the Lady Grizzlies with 17 points, knocking down five 3-pointers in the game. Brooklyn Roach got 11 of her 13 points in the second half, hitting her second 3-pointer and 3-of-4 free throws in the fourth quarter. Jaylee Hayes scored seven first-quarter points before ending with nine. Grainger led 30-23 at the half and 42-34 entering the fourth quarter. The Lady Falcons trimmed the deficit to 42-39 before Grainger's deciding run. Elisabeth Byington led Volunteer with 12 points, going 6-of-8 at the charity stripe. Emilee Mailloux (two 3s) and Emma Miller both had eight, and Danni Guinn seven. Volunteer heads to Daniel Boone for Friday's region quarterfinals, while Grainger travels to Elizabethton.