Hampton was unable to extend a historic season one more game.
The Lady Bulldogs saw Wayne County pull away in the final quarter despite a hard-fought effort as Hampton dropped a 61-39 decision in the Class A Semifinals on Friday afternoon inside the Murphy Center.
The Lady Bulldogs finished the season 31-3 – which tied the program record for wins in a season.
After the Lady Wildcats scored the first four points of the game, Hampton answered as Macy Henry and Piper Helle knocked down shots. Helle hit a jumper to give HHS a 6-5 lead near the midpoint of the half.
The teams traded shots before Linsey Jenkins hit a 3-pointer to push the Hampton lead to 12-8.
Wayne County ended the half on a 6-0 run to take a 14-12 lead into the second.
Helle countered a Blair Baugus jumper to open the second quarter, and Taylor Berry hit a pair of free throws to even the game up at 16-16 three minutes into the quarter.
The teams continued to trade shots before the Lady Bobcats took a 26-22 lead at the half.
Berry hit two early buckets in the third quarter for Hampton, but the Lady Bulldogs saw Wayne County use a run to take a 14-point lead five minutes into the quarter.
The Lady Bulldogs, however, battled back as Berry and Henry hit back-to-back 3-pointers, and a lay-up from Jenkins trimmed the deficit to 42-34 after three quarters.
Wayne County grabbed the momentum to open the fourth quarter as they went on an 11-1 run to open the quarter before Madi McClain snapped the run with a 3-pointer.
Hampton continued to battle, but was unable to mount a rally in the closing minutes.
Henry finished with 12 points to pace Hampton, while Berry had 11 points. Helle had seven points.
Jenkins and McClain had six and three points, respectively.
Baugus had 25 points to lead Wayne County, while Lauren Bryant had 14 points.
Photos By Michael Lindsay/Upper Cumberland Reporter
