The Road to State

Gleason Edges Dresden for 7A Girls' Crown

BY JIM STEELE

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As often is the case when these two teams meet in the post-season, a metronome battle ensues: back and forth.

Gleason and Dresden didn't disappoint. The Lady Lions turned away an 11-4 first-quarter deficit to lead 21-18 at the break.

In the end, however, Gleason turned things back around to claim the 7A championship 40-36 at Trenton Tuesday night.

Gleason, 24-7, hosted Memphis-Westwood, 22-5, in its substate battle while Dresden, 23-9, ventured to Memphis Academy of Health Sciences, 26-3, both Saturday night.

Gleason turned away Dresden's eight-triple effort to prevail. Dresden was hampered by a tepid free throw percentage. The Lady Lions only hit 4-12 from the stripe. That was pivotal. Dresden had eight threes and only seven two-point buckets. Dresden closed to within one, 27-26, heading into the final frame.

Lucy Curry scored 15 to lead Dresden. Haylee Jarred added seven.

Carrington Lifsey was tops for Gleason with 16. Alayna Anderson added eight and Daisy Blevins pitched in seven.

Lady Chargers Bounce Fillies, Gain Substate Bid

Martin-Westview dispatched visiting Huntingdon February 28 in the Region 6AA semifinals 40-34 and earned two more ballgames as a result.

The Lady Chargers hosted District 12AA rival Gibson County for the regional championship last Wednesday and played in substate Saturday against Loretto. Gibson County easily dispatched East Hickman 57-27 in the other semifinal.

Westview's victory may have come with a cost. Junior guard Jada Harrison, a 2A Miss Basketball finalist, sustained an ankle injury midway through the third quarter while the Lady Chargers were up 13. She left the game leading her team with 14 points and did not return.

With Harrison out, Huntingdon made a mad dash at Westview. Lilly Kee drilled two triples and trimmed Westview's lead from 10 to four in an eyeblink. Kee led the Fillies with 19. Sophie Singleton added 11.

Westview led Huntingdon 17-5 at the half.

McCall Sims scored nine for the Lady Chargers, 27-2 on the season.

In Friday night's 6AA quarterfinal:

MARTIN-WESTVIEW 46, HICKMAN COUNTY 26 at Martin -- McCall Sims led a troika of double-digit scorers as the host Lady Chargers easily excused their guests from Centerville.

Sims scored 14, Jada Harrison and Kylie Alexander added 12 apiece. Westview led 20-12 at halftime.

Maty Hunt led Hickman County with 10.

In 6AA boys' play Saturday, February 26:

STEWART COUNTY 64, MARTIN-WESTVIEW 51 at Martin -- The host Chargers, seeded No. 1 out of District 12AA, got close, but couldn't avoid the upset bug spread by the Rebels.

The Chargers tied the game twice, but never led in the contest. In the second half, they cut it to six twice, but never got closer.

Garner Alexander led the Chargers with 28. Sawyer Wallace led Stewart County with 17.

The Chargers ended their season with a 13-12 worksheet.

Lady Chargers Wear 6AA Crown

Martin-Westview's Lady Chargers welcomed Miss Basketball finalist Jada Harrison back to the floor the night of Wednesday, March 2.

She suffered an ankle injury in the regional semifinals and her status for Gibson County was unknown.

She made it back, scored 14 points, all in the second half, and the Lady Chargers subdued their rivals 52-39 to win the 6AA title. The victory also secured a home substate berth Saturday. This marked the Lady Chargers' fourth straight victory over Gibson County this year.

Westview's Kylie Alexander helped set the tone early as Harrison was still trying to find her range with the compromised ankle. The Lady Chargers struggled from the gate, going just 1-for-9 from the three-point line in the first quarter. The good news for Westview was that it just trailed 7-4 after one quarter.

As the game moved on, the Lady Chargers heated up. They finished with 12 triples in 30 attempts. Conversely, Westview only hit eight two-point field goals.

Gibson County led 16-14 at the half, thanks to Micah Hart's bucket just before the buzzer. Harrison started feeling more comfortable as the Lady Chargers pulled away in the final frame.

Hart led the Lady Pioneers with 20 points.

Alexander was tops for Westview with 15 points.

Harrison was named 6AA MVP, while Alexander, McCall Sims and Angelina Barr earned all-region honors.