Happy Valley battled back to keep their season alive.
The Lady Warriors advanced in the District 1-AA Tournament with a 54-36 victory over Unicoi County on Wednesday night at Sullivan East. HV advances to take on Elizabethton in an elimination game.
For Happy Valley, defense proved to be the answer after a slow start.
The Lady Warriors saw the Lady Blue Devils jump out to a 15-10 lead in the first eight minutes of play. Happy Valley, however, answered the bell in a big way by holding Unicoi to just three points in the second quarter while the offense got things going.
That allowed HV to take a 21-18 lead into the half.
The second half was all Happy Valley as the Lady Warriors methodically pulled away from Unicoi – leading by 9 after three quarters of play and doubling up UC in the final quarter.
Holly Moore had 14 points to lead the way for HV, while Shalyn Whitson had 12 points and 10 rebounds. Olivia Absher and Jaiden Clark added seven and six points apiece.
Tenley Holt led Unicoi with 11 points.
