HOOPS ROUNDUP: TCA eliminated in state quarters; South Side moves on in region

Trinity Christian Academy’s girls were in a back-and-forth matchup with Middle Tennessee Christian Friday night but ultimately fell 62-58.

The loss ends the Lady Lions’ season in the Division II-A quarterfinals with a final record of 23-7.

MTCS was led by Jailyn Banks with 17 points, most of which came in the second half as she sat for much of the first half in early foul trouble.

“MTCS hit a lot of shots down the stretch to pull away to a little bit of a lead there in the fourth quarter, and we had a hard time staying with them and ran out of time,” said TCA head coach Matt Coble.

The game was one of runs as TCA slowly built a 7-3 lead in the first quarter, then Middle Tennessee was up early in the second quarter 21-16.

The Lady Lions responded by going on the longest scoring run of the game by either team, 9-0, to take a 25-21 lead but couldn’t stay ahead and the teams traded four- and five-point bursts through the third quarter.

MTCS took over on the scoreboard about halfway through the fourth quarter and extended their lead to seven in the final minutes when TCA started fouling to slow the clock.

Banks hit at least one free throw each trip to the line to slowly extend the lead.

TCA hit a couple of shots in the final minute to cut into the lead but ran out of time.

“This is a special team that had great leadership from the older players and camaraderie through the whole roster,” Coble said. “I told them in the locker room they should be proud of everything they’ve accomplished because it’s a lot.”

In addition to Banks’ output on the scoreboard, Autumn Davis had 13 points, Ashley Rucker with 12 and Anna Clay Shirley with 11.

Olivia Lee closed out her basketball career at TCA leading the Lady Lions with 23 points. Fellow seniors Amelia Goehring had 12, and Carden Vailes had 11.

MTCS moves on to the state semifinals in Cookeville next week.

Division I, Region 6-3A

South Side 61, Hardin County 12: The Lady Hawks shut the Lady Tigers out in the first quarter 23-0 and never looked back en route to the rout to stay undefeated and to keep their seniors undefeated at home throughout their high school career with a maximum of one game remaining in their home gym if they win the region tournament.

The Lady Hawks advance to the region semifinals at Chester County on Monday against Chester County.

McNairy Central 56, North Side 21: The Lady Indians were unable to stay with the District 11-3A champions in Selmer.

Chester County 71, Liberty Tech 39: The Lady Crusaders fell behind 34-12 in the first half, and the Eaglettes maintained their lead after halftime.

Region 7-1A
South Fulton 63, Jackson Central-Merry 44: The Lady Cougars finished third in district but had to go on the road to the District 13 runner-up Lady Red Devils and couldn't stay with them for four quarters.