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By C.Y. Peters

Star Correspondent

The Unaka Lady Rangers’ unforgettable season came to an emotional end on Saturday night as they fell to the Coalfield Yellow Jackets 49-44 in a hard-fought sub-state battle. The loss ended Unaka’s playoff run just one step short of the TSSAA state tournament in Murfreesboro.

The Lady Rangers started the game with poise and determination, looking every bit like the championship-caliber team they had been all season. Their defense was aggressive, their ball movement was crisp, and they controlled the pace early on. Despite the pressure of a win-or-go-home game, Unaka came out strong, leading 12-8 at the first-quarter break.

The first half was a true defensive struggle, with both teams battling for every point. With Coalfield keying in on Unaka’s star scorer Michelle Shields, the Lady Rangers found other ways to produce offense. Keyona Hague and Kalli Shepard stepped up, knocking down key baskets to keep Unaka in front. By halftime, the Lady Rangers maintained a slim 19-18 lead, fueled by solid execution and disciplined play.

But as the second half began, momentum slowly shifted in favor of Coalfield. The Yellow Jackets found their rhythm offensively, led by the outstanding performance of Alexies Hamock. The junior guard took control of the game, using her quick first step and smooth shooting touch to carve through Unaka’s defense. Hamock finished with a game-high 21 points, proving to be the difference-maker. Meanwhile, her teammate Lilly Wright added 12 points, including several clutch baskets in the third and fourth quarters that kept Unaka from regaining control.

Coalfield outscored Unaka 31-25 in the second half, gradually pulling ahead as the final minutes ticked away. The Lady Rangers fought valiantly, refusing to go down without a fight. Shields, despite being the focus of Coalfield’s defense all night, led Unaka with 12 points. Shepard added 11, while Hague contributed seven. Senior Lauren Lund, playing her final game in a Unaka uniform, delivered a gutsy six-point performance, leaving everything she had on the court.

As the final buzzer sounded, the disappointment was evident, but so was the pride. Unaka’s season ended with an impressive 23-10 record, a district championship, and a regional runner-up trophy. While they fell just short of their ultimate goal, the Lady Rangers demonstrated heart, toughness, and resilience throughout the season.

For the senior Lauren Lund, it was an emotional farewell. Her leadership and contributions have left an undeniable mark on the program. For the underclassmen, this loss will serve as motivation for the future as they aim to build on the foundation laid this season.

Though their journey ended in Coalfield, the Lady Rangers can hold their heads high. They battled until the very end and represented Carter County with pride, proving once again why they are one of East Tennessee’s most respected programs.

Unaka 12 7 17 8—44
Coalfield 8 10 21 10—49

Unaka: Lund 6, Dugger 3, Shields 12, Campbell 3, Sutherland 2, Shepard 11, Hague 7.
Coalfield: Hamock 21, Wright 12, Claire-Love 3, Wilson 2, West 4, Beard 2.