Forrest eases past MTC for 9-A crown

EAGLEVILLE -- Megan Porter's free throw with 6.5 seconds left provided the winning margin for third-ranked Forrest in a 56-55 win over seventh-ranked Middle Tennessee Christian in the District 9-A tournament championship on Thursday night.

A 3-pointer by Bequi Bussell put the top-seeded Lady Rockets (25-3) in front 47-36 early into the final quarter.

Katie Dunn netted 14 of her team-high 19 points for the second-seeded Lady Cougars (24-7) in the fourth frame to help them get back in the game. Her 3-point bomb with 10 seconds showing knotted the game at 55-all before Porter's game-winning charity toss.

Christina Curtner came off the bench to lead Forrest in scoring with 13 points. Porter and Summer Waggoner followed with 12 apiece. Tournament MVP Beth Hawn tallied 10.

Alex Martin followed Dunn in the Lady Cougar scoring column with 12 points. Kate Mullins contributed 10.

MTC was up 11-7 in the opening quarter before the Chapel Hill girls took a 23-19 advantage into the break and maintained a 38-35 edge entering the fourth.

The first round games of the Region 5-A tournament take place at the higher seeds on Feb. 27 with the semifinals and finals being played at Eagleville High School.

McEwen faces Houston County at 4 before White House-Heritage battles East Robertson at 7 in the semifinals of the District 10-A tournament today in Erin. The consolation and title games are on Saturday.