Eaglettes capture 8-AAA tourney crown

COLUMBIA -- It has been said time and time again over the years to never count out the Shelbyville Central Golden Eaglettes.

That statement may never be so apparent after the Eaglettes (16-11) claimed a 42-36 win over top-seed Lawrence County (25-3) in the District 8-AAA tournament championship game on Monday night.

A well-executed defensive game plan held the explosive Lawrence County offense to 19 points under their average per game, including only a pair of baskets in the fourth quarter.

Not a single Lady Wildcat scored in double figures while the Eaglette defense held their opponents to 35.5 percent from the field and 15.4 percent from 3-point land.

It was a slow-paced, low-scoring battle and Shelbyville coach Lynn Burkey said the pace of the game was designed to slow down a Lawrence County team that ran the table on 8-AAA during the season.

"We've always hung our hat on our defense and when I can give my kids a chance to play half-court defense it gives us a much better chance to win. I thought we had a good game plan coming in and our kids did a great job executing that game plan for the entire game."

The contest featured 10 lead changes with the score tied four times.

Shelbyville's biggest advantage was an eight-point lead late in the game while Lawrence County's largest lead was five in the closing minutes of the third quarter.

After a 10-all tie at the end of the opening frame, Lawrence County posted a 19-18 lead at the break.

Both teams scored 13 points in the third period as the Lady Wildcats were up 32-31 going into the fourth quarter.

There wasn't much offense by either team in the final eight minutes as Lawrence County took a 34-33 lead at the 5:25 mark of the fourth and didn't score again until an uncontested layup as the clock ran down at the end of the game.

Free throws played a role for both teams.

Ten of Lawrence County's 19 points in the first half came from the charity stripe while nine of Shelbyville's 11 points in the fourth quarter were made at the foul line.

Shelbyville seems to be peaking at the right time and that always pleases a head coach.

"We knew at the start of the season we had a lot of improving to do as the season progressed. This team has finally bought into what we've been asking them to do and I give them a lot of credit for that," Burkey said. "Lawrence County is a great team that is coached very well and I told the girls that we had to weather the storm at the start of the game. I also give Jordyn Luffman a lot of credit for playing with a lot of guts on her ankle that I know was bothering her."

Luffman, a Middle Tennessee signee and the regular season district most valuable player, injured her ankle a couple of weeks ago and returned to action in this game.

Shelbyville seniors Callisha Johnson and Janie Graves led the Eaglettes with 14 points each.

Magan Moore and Kelsey Kemp paced the Lady Wildcats with seven apiece.

The Eaglettes entertain Siegel on Friday night in the opening round of the Region 4-AAA tournament. Lawrence County hosts La Vergne. Tip-off is scheduled for 7.

The semifinals and finals will be hosted by Shelbyville next week.

Graves and Smith were named to the All-District 8-AAA team and both were named to the all-tournament team as well with Graves named tournament MVP.