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By Ron Marvel

Star Correspondent

UNICOI – A back-and-forth first half slowly slipped away for the Happy Valley Lady Warriors Monday night as they faced off against the South Greene Rebels at Unicoi County High School. The Lady Warriors suffered a 64-42 defeat and will now hit the road to take on Gatlinburg Pittman Thursday night in the opening round of the Regional Tournament.

The first half was a back-and-forth affair featuring many lead changes. Alex Moore and Kymber Pruitt hit a couple of three-pointers in the first period for the Lady Warriors, but they still trailed 12-8 at the end of the first quarter.

The Lady Warriors tied things up at 14-all when Bailee Jarrett connected on a long jumper just inside the three-point line. They then went on a 6-0 run to jump out to an 18-12 lead after Cayden Anderson sprinted down court, connected on a layup, and took the foul. But the Lady Rebels answered back with a run of their own to retake the lead at 22-20. Anderson hit a short jumper to tie things up at 25-all with just 18 seconds left, but South Greene’s Trinity Borner hit a desperation 18-foot jumper to give her team a two-point lead going into the locker room.

The third period started with the two teams exchanging baskets, but after that, the Lady Rebels went on an 11-0 run and jumped out to a 12-point lead. Anderson sank one of two free throws to cut the lead to single digits with 1:53 left, and Zeoli hit a three-pointer at the buzzer to end the period. But once again, the Lady Rebels went on a run to start the final period to secure the game.

Zeoli finished the game with 12 points, while Anderson and Moore each chipped in eight. Kortnei Bailey scored 35 for the Lady Rebels, including 14 in the decisive third period.

Post-game, Warriors coach Dana Hill reflected on how the game turned: “The second half, we just lacked intensity, and we got tired. When that happens, players are going to get open; to their credit, they knocked down some threes.”

District 1AA Consolation

South Greene 64, Happy Valley 42

Happy Valley (42)
Moore 8, Anderson 8, Zeoli 12, Gardner 3, Jarrett 4, Pruitt 5, Sommers 2.

South Greene (64)
Hoese 2, Davis 9, Bailey 35, Foshie 4, Fillers 2, Barner 2, Brobeck 7, Roberts 3.

Happy Valley 8 17 8 9 – 42
South Greene 12 15 15 22 – 64

3-point goals: HV 6 (Zeoli 3, Moore 2, Pruitt 1), SG 11 (Bailey 8, Davis 3)