Clutch free throws send Eaglettes to 8-AAA final

COLUMBIA -- Shelbyville Central advanced to the District 8-AAA tournament championship with an impressive 62-55 win over Lincoln County on Saturday night.

The win was huge in a number of ways in that not only does it give the Golden Eaglettes (15-11) a chance for another championship but it assures an opening-round home game in the Region 4-AAA tournament against either La Vergne or Siegel on Friday night at 7.

The Eaglettes play Lawrence County in the 8-AAA final tonight at 8.

"We have not sacrificed a single goal that we set at the start of the year," Shelbyville coach Lynn Burkey said. "I've said it before and I'll say it again, we still haven't played our best game and I've got to believe our best game is ahead of us."

Shelbyville posted a 13-8 lead at the end of the first quarter then increased it to 30-27 by halftime after sophomore Kelsie Smith scored nine of her 22 points in the second stanza.

The Eaglettes continued to roll at the start of the third quarter using an 11-2 run to go up 41-25 at the 2:55 mark.

Lincoln County (18-12) closed out the third with a 14-2 run to cut its deficit to 43-39.

"I thought we executed our game plan to near perfection until we just checked out the last few minutes of the third quarter," Burkey said. "I give a lot of credit to Lincoln County as well. They really did a good job of battling back and hurt us with their trap during that span."

The Eaglettes regrouped and regained control of the game in the fourth stanza and cashed in on 11-of-13 free throws in the fourth.

Janie Graves netted 18 and Callisha Johnson added 10 to join Smith in double figures.

T'Essence Phelps scored 23 and Hannah Barnes added a dozen to lead the Lady Falcons.