The Avery Lady Vikings dominated early and often in blitzing the Hendersonville Lady Bearcats by a final score of 79-41.Through the first quarter the Lady Vikings worked to seize momentum. Katelynn Eudy scored six points in the opening eight minutes to pace Avery to a 16-6 lead by period's end. Avery outscored Hendersonville 18-7 over the opening five minutes of the second quarter to build a 34-13 lead.
By halftime a trio of Lady Vikings: Eudy, Katie Ellis, and Samantha Shook, had all reached double-figures scoring in assuming a commanding 43-19 halftome lead. Brooks Walz led the Lady Bearcats with 12 first half points.
Avery continued its scoring barrage with 16 points in the third quarter. Six different Lady Vikings scored in the quarter as the Big Red led 59-32 at the end of three stanzas and closed the tournament win in style with a 20-9 scoring run in the final eight minutes. Avery had seven players score in the final quarter and every player had scored by game's end.
It was a balanced scoring effort for Avery in the win. Katie Ellis finished with 18 points, nine rebounds, and five steals. Samantha Shook scored 13, with ten from Katelynn Eudy.Allison Vance had a terrific all-around night with eight points, six rebounds, three steals, and nine assists. Lauren Avery also netted six for the victorious Lady Vikings. Walz finished with 19 points for Hendersonville.
In the other Western Highlands Conference tournament games Monday night, #3 seed Polk County defeated #6 seed Madison 62-61. Kiki Miller hit a layup with two seconds to play on an assist from Denise Edwards to lift Polk to the Western Highlands Conference tournament win over Madison.
Miller finished with 13 points, while Kaitlin Franks led third-seeded Polk with 20. Edwards added 11 points for the Wolverines, who led until No. 6 Madison took a 47-46 lead in the fourth quarter - teams combined for 48 points in the final period.
Heather Jenkins poured in 25 points for Madison, including a basket with six seconds left to play. Torri Whitaker added 19.
Fourth seeded Mountain Heritage defeated #5 seed Owen 66-65 in double overtime. Owen came-from-behind to force overtime and the teams were forced to additional basketball as overtime also finished tied. Mountain Heritage had a chance to win the game in regulation and overtime but couldn't convert on a long-range heave at the horn either time.
The Cougars (11-13) outscored Owen 15-4 in the second overtime. Mountain Heritage had four players in double figures, including Jessica Ledford (16), Kayla Shepherd (14), Courtney Huskins (13) and Landry Fox (10).
Kourtney Burchfield paced Owen with a game-high 21 points, while Stephanie Jones scored 13. Owen trailed 25-22 at the break.
Avery will host Polk County in one semifinal game at 4 p.m. on Thursday.
Earlier in the evening, the Avery JV boys won a thrilling 50-48 game. Timmy Stewart hit a pair of free throws in the waning seconds to put the game on ice. Avery will now play in the Western Highlands JV Tournament semifinals on Thursday at Madison High School.
