Westview Lady Chargers 6AA Champs

Westview Lady Charger Basketball team
Graphic and Photo by Christel Laney - Laney Photography

BY JIM STEELE

Pressbox1@gmail.com

MARTIN (March 2) - Lady Chargers heat up to topple Gibson County for 6AA crown. The No. 2-ranked Martin-Westview began its Region 6AA championship bout with rival Gibson County with a lot of trepidation.

For starters, would 2A Miss Basketball finalist Jada Harrison suit up after suffering an ankle injury in the semifinals?

Could the Lady Chargers defeat GC for a fourth consecutive time and avoid a potentially-dangerous substate road trip to top-ranked Loretto?

After going 1-9 from the three-point line to start the game, could Westview find its range from the perimeter?

Yes, yes, and yes. As a result, the Lady Chargers claimed THE 6AA title by subduing visiting Gibson 52-39.

Loretto was upset in its regional final and had to make the long road trip to Martin for substate Saturday night.

Westview fell behind 7-3 in a defensive first quarter, but started a slow-burn pursuit. McCall Sims knocked down a triple and seemed to loosen the Lady Chargers up. They trailed 16-14 at intermission.

In the third frame, Sims, Kylie Alexander and Harrison, who was held scoreless in the first half, opened up from the rainbow. After starting 1-9, Westview finished 12-30 from the outside. It only scored eight two-point buckets.

Gibson County had no answers, despite playing a solid defensive game. The Lady Chargers forced 15 GC turnovers. Soon, Westview had crafted a double-digit lead.

Junior Micah Hart led Gibson County with 19 points. No other Lady Pioneer was in doubles.

Alexander led Westview with 15, Sims with 14 and Harrison with 12.

Angelina Barr, Alexander and Sims earned all-region honors while Harrison received the 6AA MVP award. The victory moved Westview to 28-2. Gibson County tumbled to 28-5 and played its sectional game at Summertown.