ERWIN— Coming into the 2017 District 1-AA girls’ basketball tournament, there were not too many people who believed that the Happy Valley Lady Warriors had a chance of taking home the crown—except the Lady Warriors and head coach Larry Abel.
On Monday night, Happy Valley stunned the regular-season champion and one-seed Sullivan East Lady Patriots, who went undefeated in conference play, only to find a determined Lady Warrior team who made believers of everyone with a 56-47 win.
With the win, the Lady Warriors get a home regional Friday night at 7 p.m. against Cumberland Gap who was defeated by Chuckey Doak 47-36 on Monday night. It was the Lady Warriors first district title since 1996.
East will host the Lady Black Knights Friday night as well at 7 p.m.
“Last year I saw a lot of promise in this team,” said Abel relishing the win soaked to the bone in sweat. “They won the JV tournament here, and we have played well on this court, and the girls are very comfortable here.
“I have told them from day one that they are a special team and they have to believe and continue to get better,” added Abel. “We took a major step. They have been dialed in and focused on the game plan we wanted to execute.”
The Lady Warriors seized the early halftime lead 20-14 as the Lady Patriots imploded on themselves committing 16 turnovers while only scoring the 14 points.
With post Shayln Whitson being fed the basketball for six points in the half, it opened up the outside for tournament MVP Kaitlyn Roberts and Adrienne Henegar to fill the bucket up from the outside for five points apiece.
After Megan Addison went down with a nasty ankle injury, it was up to Alyssa Hare to take charge of her team as Hare’s five points kept the Lady Patriots in the game.
Both teams turned it up considerably out of the intermission as the Lady Patriots shaved the lead to 37-36 heading into the final quarter of play.
Hare continued to inflict damage with nine points in the frame while getting help from Kylee Wolfe who dropped in seven points to help bring the feet back under East.
Roberts collected five to make sure that Happy Valley in front.
With the game up for grabs, the Lady Warriors managed to push the lead back to six points and fend off the Lady Patriots from the foul line with Henegar, McGee, and Emily Whitaker knocking down 12-of -18 from the charity stripe to seal the deal.
Henegar finished with a game-high 17 points leading the Lady Warriors. Roberts and McGee matched each other with 10 points each.
Whitaker had a solid game with nine points while Whitson finished with eight points. Tianna Long collected the other two points for Happy Valley.
Hare had 14 points for the Lady Patriots while Megan Ollis added 10 points. Wolfe finished with nine points.
Roberts said it was a blessing to have accomplished winning the district.
“It is so amazing,” said Roberts. “There were so many people who didn’t expect us to win this game. We have been working as a team, and I am so blessed that we have won this tournament and it is such an amazing feeling.
“I think that overall we just really, really wanted it. We haven’t had a team win a championship in a really long time. Practice has been great, and we have been really focused. I am so glad we are going to be able to have another home game for the seniors.”
Along with Roberts, Whitson, Whitaker, McGee, and Henegar garnered All-Tourney selections.
————
DISTRICT 1-AA GIRLS CHAMPIONSHIP
UNICOI COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL
Happy Valley, 56-47
Happy Valley (56)
Tianna Long 2, Bayley McGee 10, Kaitlyn Roberts 10, Adrienne Henegar 17, Emily Whitaker 9, Shayln Whitson 8.
Sullivan East (47)
Kayla Honaker 5, Megan Ollis 10, Kylee Wolfe 9, Kait Nidiffer 5, Tatum Gouge 2, Kenzie Thomas 2, Alyssa Hare 14.
Happy Valley …. 10 10 17 19 – 56
Sullivan East…… 8 6 22 11 – 47
3-Pt Goal: Happy Valley 4 (Adrienne Henegar 2, Kaitlyn Roberts 2). Sullivan East 4 (Kayla Honaker, Alyssa Hare, Megan Ollis, Kylee Wolfe).