KINGSPORT— even though the game was a 2016 District 1-AA consolation contest, there was a lot riding on the game as far as seeding for the regional tournament.

Happy Valley didn’t want to have to travel to the District 2-AA champions to start the regions, so the Lady Warriors did what they had to do to nab the third place slot with a 54-35 win over Unicoi County Lady Blue Devils at Sullivan South Monday night.

“I am proud of my younger kids for their effort tonight,” said Happy Valley head coach Larry Abel. “Kaitlyn Roberts, Adrienne Henegar and some of the younger kids that came off the bench really stepped up tonight.”

“We met Grainger earlier in the season and haven’t played Chuckey Doak, but I think we match up well with both of them. We have got to play with a lot of heart and integrity for the game to be able to win against whoever we play.”

Happy Valley came out the early aggressor building a 28-23 lead by intermission behind the play of Kalee Johnson and Bayley McGee as Johnson scored 12 in the half while McGee continued a hot hand by nailing three treys.

Henegar contributed four in the half as well for the Lady Warriors.

Chloe Powers did her best to keep the Lady Blue Devils close as she netted nine points, including a trey as the horn sounded to end the first half.

Neelee Griffith was charging the boards while dropping in six points as well for Unicoi County.

The second half belonged to the Lady Warriors as Happy Valley outscored the Lady Devils 26-12 to win by 19 points.

Johnson finished the night as the leading scorer dumping in 16 points followed by McGee’s 14 points. Henegar chipped in with nine while Kaitlyn Roberts closed out with a solid seven points.

Powers led her team in scoring with 19 on the night. The sharpshooter hit three treys.

Hannah Rice and Neelee Griffith added seven and six respectively.

McGee and Johnson were tabbed for the All-Tourney team.

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2016 DISTRICT 1-AA GIRLS’ CONSOLATION

Happy Valley, 54-35

Unicoi Co. (35)

Chloe Powers 19, Ashlie Padgett 3, Hannah Rice 7, Neelee Griffith 6.

Happy Valley (54)

Bayley McGee 14, Kaitlyn Roberts 7, Haley Green 2, Adrienne Henegar 9, Kalee Johnson 16, Charli Bare 4, Tianna Long 2.

Unicoi Co.….…13   10    7      5 – 35

Happy Valley…14  14   10   16 – 54

3-PT GOALS: Unicoi Co. 5 (Chloe Powers 3, Hannah Rice, Ashlie Padgett). Happy Valley 6 (Kaitlyn Roberts, Adrienne Henegar, Kalee Johnson, Bayley McGee 3).