The #2 seeded Avery Lady Vikings had no trouble in dispatching of #7 Hendersonville Lady Bearcats 68-28 in the first quarterfinal game of the Western Highlands Conference basketball tournament at Mitchell High School.
Laura Lacey led the Vikings with 15 points, four assists, and three steals in the win. Avery held the Lady Bearcats scoreless in the first quarter en route to a 9-0 lead after one period. In fact, Avery held Hendersonville scoreless as part of a 20-0 run from the opening tip until the 5:10 mark of the second quarter. A Lucy Massagee layup finally broke the ice for Hendersonville, but Avery had already asserted itself too greatly for the Lady Bearcats to overcome.
The Vikings led 27-6 at halftime and lit up the Bearcats for 29 third quarter points en route to a 56-21 lead after three periods. A total of 11 Vikings scored as every player on the team played extended minutes in the rout.
Avery shot 49% from the field, but did commit 24 turnovers in the win. Avery will take on #3 seed Polk County in the first ladies semifinal at 4 p.m. at Mitchell. Mountain Heritage will tangle with host Mitchell in the other semifinal at 7 p.m.
In boys tournament action, #2 Mountain Heritage will take on #3 Madison, with #4 Owen challenging top seeded Hendersonville.
FINAL GAME STATS:
Scoring:
Scoring:
Avery 9 18 29 12 - 68
H'Ville 0 6 15 7 - 28
Individual Scoring:
Avery (68)- Singleton 7, Jennings 7, Peters 4, Shook 4, Buchanan 4, Ellis 8, Vance 3, Lacey 15, Gragg 4, Pyatte 10, McFee 2
Hendersonville (28)- Walz 14, Westmoreland 7, Lilly 2, Massagee 2, Hubert 2, Ward 1
Three Pointers: A - Singleton 2, Lacey, Jennings H - Walz 2.
