By Chris George
TuckerCountySports.Com
CHARLESTON – The #3 Lady Mt. Lions Basketball team opened up State Tournament play on Wednesday morning March 6th against #6 Tyler Consolidated. Tucker County pulled away in the second quarter and then cruised to a 64-31 victory.
The Lady Mt. Lions fell behind early in the contest, but they responded to take the first quarter 20-10. The low scoring second quarter was also controlled by the Lady Mt. Lions 7-2 to give Tucker County the halftime lead of 27-12.
In the third quarter the Lady Mt. Lions continued to pull away as they outscored the Lady Knights 15-10 to make the score 42-22 at the end of the third quarter. The final quarter would also belong to Tucker County as they outshot Tyler Consolidated 22-9 to take the quarterfinal victory by the score of 64-31.
Raven Matthews led the Lady Mt. Lions with 13 points, 13 rebounds and Ericka Zirk had 11 points, 5 rebounds. Macy Helmick added 10 points, 8 rebounds, 10 assists, 6 steals and Katie Hicks had 10 points, 3 assists in the Tucker County win. Brylee Wetzel chipped in with 9 points for the Lady Mt. Lions. Tucker County forced a total of 32 turnovers in the game.
CHARLESTON – The #3 Tucker County Girls’ Basketball team continued State Tournament play on Friday evening March 8th in a Semi-Final matchup with #2 Gilmer County. The Lady Mt. Lions led throughout in a back and forth contest, but the Lady Titans forged ahead late in the game, then held on for the 49-41 victory.
Tucker County jumped out to an early lead and the Lady Mt. Lions were in front after one 12-10. The second quarter was also highly competitive as both teams made runs. Gilmer County would edge Tucker County in scoring 14-13 in the second quarter to put the halftime score to 25-24 Lady Mt. Lions.
The third quarter was low scoring as both teams combined for just 10 points as Tucker County edged the Lady Titans 6-4 in the third to make the score 31-28 after three. The fourth quarter did not disappoint as both teams battled down to the end. Gilmer County broke a 35-35 tie with a three-point basket with 3:20 left in the game to make the score 38-35 Lady Titans. Tucker County then cut the lead to 42-41 after an Ericka Zirk layup with 1:27 left in the contest. Then the Lady Mt. Lions were forced to foul and Gilmer County made their foul shots down the stretch to take the win 49-41.
Makenna Evans led Tucker County in scoring with 10 points, 5 rebounds and Raven Matthews added 8 points, 13 rebounds. Brylee Wetzel chipped in with 8 points and Ericka Zirk had 5 points for the Lady Mt. Lions.
Tucker County finished the season with a 20-6 record. Raven Matthews was also selected for the Class “A” All-Tournament Team. A special thanks goes out to the Lady Mt. Lions Seniors: Ericka Zirk, Brylee Wetzel, Macy Helmick, Katie Hicks, Addie Hicks and Avery Colebank. In the Class “A” Championship game #1 Cameron defeated #2 Gilmer County 50-43. For more info go to TuckerCountySports.Com.
