Community's Lesley Murphy puts up a jumper between Forrest's Christina Curtner (left) and Haley Mathis. (T-G Photo by Danny Parker) [Click to enlarge]

Some days you slay the lion. Some days the lion bites you back.

Community was faced with a tall task on Thursday evening as they took on two-time defending District 9-A champion Forrest in the semifinals of the 9-A tournament in Unionville. The top-seeded Lady Rockets entered with an amazing three-year record of 80-18, including a pair of trips to the state tournament in Murfreesboro already.

"It definitely is a mental and a confidence thing," Community coach Allison Layne said. "We knew they were going to come out with defensive pressure. They're a tough team to play. You have to get mentally ready for that kind of team, not just physically."

That swagger carried over onto the court as sixth-ranked Forrest shrugged off an early challenge from the Viqueens and ran away with a 59-38 win.

Community (15-8) held their own in the initial stages before a Beth Hawn basket with 3:18 left in the first quarter put the Lady Rockets (25-3) ahead to stay 9-7.

Viqueen Marisso Jones (20) attacks the basket while closely guarded by Lady Rocket Amanda Daughrity (11) as Kensie McKee looks on. (T-G Photo by Danny Pakrer) [Click to enlarge]

The Chapel Hill girls took control of the game by outscoring their foes 26-11 in the middle frames.

Layne's ladies trailed just 16-12 following a Marissa Jones bucket to start off the second stanza before the wheels came completely off. They didn't score another point until Jones made good on the front end of a one-and-one situation at the foul line with 1:25 left in the first half.

Jessica Thompson ended a drought lasting 9:26 without a field goal with a two-pointer for the first points of the third quarter. However, the damage was done and Forrest held a 31-17 lead.

"They packed it in on us and gave us the outside shot," Layne said. "We just stopped shooting the ball. We didn't take it to them."

Forrest carried a 42-21 advantage into an up-tempo fourth quarter that saw each team net 17 points at the hands of 12 different girls.

Jessica Thompson attempts to get a shot off around Lady Rocket Gaby Bussell. (T-G Photo by Danny Parker) [Click to enlarge]

The Lady Rockets advance to face No. 2-seed Middle Tennessee Christian (21-6) in the championship on Monday night at 8. Community battles Van Buren County in the third-place game to open the evening at 6:30.

The consolation game should be quite entertaining as the teams appear to be evenly matched on paper and they split their regular-season showdowns. There is still plenty on the line as nobody wants to enter the Region 5-A tournament on the heels of two losses and be forced to square off with the District 10-A champion.

"It's better if you come off of a win. That would give us the confidence we need," Layne said.

"Overall, it doesn't really matter who we play as long as we show up to play. That's our big goal from here on out, to not give up."

Hawn and Gaby Bussell were nearly unstoppable in the post for Forrest. They combined for 30 points. Bussell hauled in 10 rebounds and Hawn blocked three shots and adjusted several others. Dakota Wesson chipped in with five assists.

Community's Carly Daffern makes a dish in the paint while guarded by Daughrity. (T-G Photo by Danny Parker) [Click to enlarge]

"We know they're the go-to girls," Layne said. "They're going to take it to you. Size-wise they're going to shoot over you. We tried to deny and give them less touches with the ball."

With the paint clogged, the Purple and Gold struggled not only getting good looks at the basket but also turned the ball over several times just trying to get off high-percentage shots. As a result, none of their girls reached double figures in scoring.

Thompson finished with nine points and six rebounds. Kassidy Lane grabbed five boards.

Chapel Hill made good on 12-of-18 free throws. Community sank 10-of-19.

MTC 41, Van Buren County 39: In the other semifinal, with 4 seconds remaining, Lady Cougar junior Katie Dunn went coast-to-coast, weaving through the Eaglette full-court pressure and stroked home the game-winner as time expired.

Van Buren County's Cierston Simmons tied the game with a 3-pointer on the previous possession. She led her team with 14 points. Jaleta Grissom had 12 and Porsche McDonald 10.

Kate Mullins bucketed 13 points for MTC.

The Lady Cougars were up 9-2 after a quarter but trailed 18-16 at the half.