Hampton set a defensive tone on Saturday night in the District 1-A Girls Semifinals.
The Lady Bulldogs smothered Cloudland and held on for a 45-36 victory to advance to Tuesday’ title game against South Greene.
The Lady ‘Landers will play in the consolation game against Unaka on Monday.
Hampton took an early 8-0 lead as Megan Garland and Shy Tuelle had four points apiece in the opening minutes.
Lisa Ellis and Trinity Vines responded as the duo combined for a 7-0 CHS run to take a 9-8 lead. Kinzey Hill drained a 3-pointer to regain a Hampton lead and Hampton took a 15-11 lead into the second quarter.
The teams traded points to open the quarter before Johanna Johnson hit back-to-back shots to kick off a 10-2 Cloudland run as CHS held a 23-21 advantage with a minute left in the half. Grubbs and Tuelle added shots as Hampton regained a 25-23 lead at the half.
The Lady Bulldogs took control in the third quarter.
Hampton held Cloudland scoreless in the period as Hope Bridgeman, Garland and Tuelle added baskets. That gave Hampton a 31-23 advantage heading into the final stanza.
After Bree Hoyle hit a basket to push the lead to 12 points, Shian Strickland hit a trey to snap a 10-minute scoring drought for Cloudland. The Lady ‘Landers closed the gap to five points, but Grubbs secured the win on the free throw line.
Tuelle had 13 points to lead all scorers, while Grubbs added 12 points. Garland finished with 11 points.
Cloudland was lead by Vines’ 11 points. Johnson and Strickland had nine points apiece.
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