The Lady Cyclones were unable to continue their Cinderella story going on Monday night.
Elizabethton was unable to edge back ahead past Grainger in a 50-42 decision in the Region 1-AA Girls Semifinals at Happy Valley. The loss ends Elizabethton’s season after a remarkable run through the District 1-AA tournament that saw them capture the title after entering the tournament as the No. 5 seed.
On Monday night, the Lady Cyclones controlled the game early.
After Grainger scored the first point of the night, Kaylen Shell drained a 3-pointer and Abbey Townsend added a pair of free throws to give EHS a 5-2 lead midway through the quarter. Morgan Headrick and Townsend added shots in the closing minutes of the quarter to give EHS a 9-5 lead after eight minutes of play.
In the second quarter, Shell scored the first six Elizabethton points of the quarter as EHS held a 15-13 lead with just over three minutes to play in the half. After Headrick added a jumper inside the final minute, Grainger end the half on a high note. The Lady Grizz ended the half on a 7-0 run to take a 20-17 lead.
From there, Elizabethton had to battle from behind.
The Lady Cyclones saw Grainger push the lead to nine points before Torrie Roberts hit a basket to stop the Lady Grizz run. With shots by Headrick and Shell – including a 3-pointer by Shell at the buzzer, EHS pulled back within 35-31 at the end of the third quarter.
Four straight free throws from Headrick pulled EHS within two points with 5:21 to play, but Grainger answered with a 7-0 run. Elizabethton, however, answered with a 5-0 run of their own to pull within four points with just over two minutes to play, but the Lady Grizz had enough in the tank to take the win.
Shell had 19 points to lead Elizabethton, while Headrick tallied 15 points for the Lady Cyclones.
Grainger was paced by Tori Rutherford’s 18 points. Lauren Longmire added 11 points.
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